Re: Black "henna" BS is taking over NY
Posted by Maureen on September 7, 2001 at 05:18:34:
In reply to: Re: Black "henna" BS is taking over NY posted by Kenzi on September 5, 2001 at 22:15:57:
Hi Kenzi,There are a lot of ways to look at getting the media interested in an
issue on the local level. New York City is a challenge but some of
the same things would apply. One group of people protesting the
unsafe activities of another group of people is still of interest to
a lot of reporter and editors..especially on an issue that might not
be perceived as local problem. It is always helpful to know someone
who writes for a local paper or who reports for a local station. But
that is not a requirement to get local issues in the paper or on tv.
Another group of media people who are likely to be interested are
those who have those local talk shows. You know the ones that are
hosted by a local newscaster and who specializes is some specific
area of issues...womens issues...issues effecting people of
color...health and safety issues...children issues, etc. Those shows
are usually easy to get on and/or it is usually easy to get in
contact with the host in order to sell your idea for a show and/or
coverage. This is for both TV and radio. Sometimes there is a
single person who covers news for TV, a radio station and writes a
column for some local paper. That is a good person to contact.
Another way to get out information and educational stuff is on those
local cable public access stations that have to be made available in
each community. They are often full of some really weird and boring
stuff mixed with some really interesting and creative stuff because
just about anyone can put a show together and have it on the air. I
am not suggesting you put a show together...what I am saying is that
someone already producing a show on that channel is probably dying
for a new idea or for someone new to appear. It would be a great way
to put out some information about Mehendi and issues about
henna...while at the same time providing the opportunity for you to
apply some henna to the host or someone you bring with you and show
your designs...meanwhile talking about so called black henna and the
dangers. I know these channels are full of silly stuff, but they
have two great advantages: 1) Huge amounts of people really watch
those channels for some reason; and 2) Once a show has been produced
and put on the air on those stations, the show is repeated over and
over and over and over and over and over and over and...well you get
my point, and over again forever and ever. A friend of mine had a
show that was produced by her husband on one of those cable channels
here. Two other friends and myself taped a number of shows on
various topics just to help them fill out the calendar of shows.
This was long ago and people still come up to me telling me they saw
me on TV last week...they are talking about one of old those shows
usually.
Anyway, there are lots of ways and strata of people to get correct
information out to about safe henna and the dangers of the unsafe
stuff. And people have to choose their different places in the
stream...where they feel they can be the most helpful given who they
are and their own resources. Do you damn up the stream to make sure
no one can get their hands on adulterated henna legally? Do you
stand on the shore of the stream helping people about to jump into it
to change their minds? Do you go out into the stream with life boats
and life preservers trying to save those already in the stream who
want to be saved? It is all necessary and not mutually exclusive as
strategy. I am sure you will find what fits you best and take the
action required.
Maureen
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