Christina Green was born September 11, 2001, a day she believed was a holiday. She died Saturday, January 8, 2011, in Tucson, Arizona, another national day of tragedy riddled with violence. One bullet to the chest, delivered by a deranged 22-year-old nutjob, for reasons to be analyzed for years and decades to come.
Like too many kids these days, Christina was an innocent child sent to heaven without the opportunity to live a full life, without an opportunity to give her parents one final hug, without a chance to fulfill any of her dreams. All tragedies like these are devastating, but it always hits me extra hard when a tragedy involves a child. If you're like me, you sat glued to your television this weekend, watching the Tucson story as it unfolded.
I've grown so cynical about news organizations that it came as no surprise that several of them incorrectly reported early on that Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords had died. Then, a picture of 9-year-old Christina appeared on the screen, and my heart sank. "That could have been my kid," I thought.
An outing we were all looking forward to could have resulted in family devastation. I could not help thinking of her parents, grandparents, and family at that moment. Christina's brave mom, on the day her little girl was murdered, was interviewed by Gretchen Carlson on Fox. Carlson, a parent herself, was understandably struggling to keep it together during the interview, pausing, trying to regain her composure. She couldn't. Who could? How many times have we allowed our sons or daughters to innocently go over to a neighbor's house to go to the mall, the movies, or a grocery store?
You get lulled into a sense of safety because things seem OK for so long. Then Tucson happens and you get whiplashed into the reality that there are sick people everywhere and our children can be taken away from us without our having even a chance to fight for them.
I'm sure some will ask why God would allow something like this to happen. Though it's not my role to question our maker, I look at it and ask if some good can come of it. Can this event stimulate someone to do something of value in little Christina's honor?
All the events of the weekend got me thinking about how radio can play more of a role in helping local kids. Every community has children in need of something. Some may need a new wheelchair or other device not covered by insurance, or need money for an operation. Others need clothes or enough food to get them through the next week. Some kids will never be able to afford a bicycle unless we get involved.
These types of things have been radio's strength for the longest time. Sure, we all tend to do them at Christmas and Thanksgiving. But what if we picked and attacked a cause as an industry? We have the power to move mountains, and with our ability to engage listeners could eradicate one giant social problem in our communities.
People -- your listeners -- want to help.
Sometimes they just need a leader they can follow. Today is as good a day as any for every radio station in America to examine whether they are doing enough for their community.
It may not seem like a big deal to help one child. However, if 200 or 300 or 400 radio stations help one kid a month for a year, that's between 2,400 and 5,000 kids a year. That could change history.
Let's not let this tragedy pass without looking inward to see what more we can do with our radio stations. Not because it's good for business, but because it's the right thing to do.
It may not seem like a big deal to help one child. However, if 200 or 300 or 400 radio stations help one kid a month for a year, that's between 2,400 and 5,000 kids a year. That could change history.
Posted by: tory burch sandals | August 08, 2011 at 01:02 AM
These types of things have been radio's strength for the longest time. Sure, we all tend to do them at Christmas and Thanksgiving. But what if we picked and attacked a cause as an industry? We have the power to move mountains, and with our ability to engage listeners could eradicate one giant social problem in our communities.
Posted by: cycling clothing | July 21, 2011 at 03:02 AM
Eric,
As a mother/grandmother and radio personality - I could not agree with you more. I was mortified at the amount of air time given to the Oregon Ducks - Packers - Seahawks in our area - without much mention of the tragedy. Until the games were over, of course. I spent the day trying to find out what happened.
I to believe we need to learn from this tragic situation and I have been in radio for 13 years, my husband for 27 and we work hard supporting the children and community we live in outside of delivering the news and playing the great music. I felt a little alone until I read your email. Thank you for sharing. I am having a difficult time dealing with all of it. My oldest grandchild was born August 26, 2001 a short while before Christina and I think of all the times he has been on stage with me for stage announcements at concerts, at charity and political events from the time he was baby......what if? It strikes a chord. And the first response is to shelter - it's hard to know what to do - how to feel.
Dori Donoho
Promotions/Middays on Clear
Host of Homegrown Music Showcase
KLRR
PO Box 5039
Bend, Oregon 97708
Posted by: Dori Donoho | January 11, 2011 at 07:24 PM
Bobby:
I have no idea.
Posted by: Eric Rhoads | January 11, 2011 at 11:09 AM
I thought this was a beautiful, articulate and moving expose. I lost my daughter (also named Christine) last year and understand what these parents must be going through - it's heart-breaking beyond words. Our response to this national tragedy can either be to cast aspersions at the news media, point fingers at a political party, or blame the parents for the way this person was raised; but that is not really an action – it is a form of trying to come to grips with it. I love the way you showed how we can help in a meaningful way, which is always on an individual level. You can only chip away at a mountain one stone at a time, and greatness is seldom in the stars – it is most often right under our feet – it is found in everything that touches our hands, and it always starts with the very work right in front of us. It IS a big deal to help one child (especially if you’re that child), and also a very big deal to help a lot of people. Thanks for bringing some humanity on behalf of the radio industry, to this horrible event. Keep up the good work and God bless, Eric.
Posted by: Rosemary Scott | January 11, 2011 at 10:20 AM
We rallied post 9/11,..this should be no different. We are still a powerful platform to do some good. Choose a path, and follow it
Posted by: Ted Morro | January 11, 2011 at 06:50 AM
Heard and understood, Eric. Let's get some creative ideas flowing here.
To the poster referring to "imaginary friends"... I don't get it. Please explain how that relates?
Posted by: Bobby Rich | January 10, 2011 at 09:54 PM
Really, in times of tragedy like this, we don't need references to imaginary friends, even if that is a socially accepted form of delusion. Many of us in radio prefer rational science over primitive superstition, and think of adults who put their lives in the hands of an imaginary friend as rather pathetic. Please stick to reality.
Posted by: Mike Hunt | January 10, 2011 at 07:01 PM