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In Memory of Andrea Lewis
(June 4, 1957 - November 15, 2009)
Victoria Z and Andrea Lewis at the 2007 Power to the Peaceful live broadcast.
It is with deep sadness that we bring you the news of the death of our own Andrea Lewis. She died this weekend of an apparent heart attack at her San Francisco home. She was just 52. Andrea's parents are on their way from Florida. We are planning a memorial service and will let you know as soon as we have details. Andrea came to KPFA in 1999 as a co-host of the Morning Show. She later became host of Sunday Sedition and an Evening News Co-Anchor. Andrea was a true Renaissance woman with an interest in politics, world affairs, sports, science, music and the arts. She was dedicated to discussing on and off the air the issues of social justice, especially in regards to racial and gender equity. Her booming laugh filled the hallways of the station. Andrea occasionally hosted Pacifica National broadcasts; she was an early host for Free Speech Radio News. Andrea wrote for the Progressive Magazine, sang with the S.F. Symphony Chorus, was a former Knight Journalism Fellow at Stanford University -- and was an avid golfer. We -- and the listeners -- will all miss her tremendously.
It is with deep sadness that we bring you the news of the death of our own Andrea Lewis. She died this weekend of an apparent heart attack at her San Francisco home. She was just 52. Andrea's parents are on their way from Florida. We are planning a memorial service and will let you know as soon as we have details. Andrea came to KPFA in 1999 as a co-host of the Morning Show. She later became host of Sunday Sedition and an Evening News Co-Anchor. Andrea was a true Renaissance woman with an interest in politics, world affairs, sports, science, music and the arts. She was dedicated to discussing on and off the air the issues of social justice, especially in regards to racial and gender equity. Her booming laugh filled the hallways of the station. Andrea occasionally hosted Pacifica National broadcasts; she was an early host for Free Speech Radio News. Andrea wrote for the Progressive Magazine, sang with the S.F. Symphony Chorus, was a former Knight Journalism Fellow at Stanford University -- and was an avid golfer. We -- and the listeners -- will all miss her tremendously.
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She will be missed. I thoroughly enjoyed her programs over her years at KPFA. Her voice was calming and relaxing and you knew she was having fun. Thank you Andrea! Best wishes to those closer to her, may you find solace at this time.
My home-girl sister friend news writer ...we will not forget you "...For you have been carved on the palm of our hands...."
Andrea Lewis was probably a very decent human being . I never met her . I only knew her thru her programming at KPFA. But to be honest she was not really committed to a true alternative media. She was at best only a mildly progressive voice. She knew a lot about music, theatre, and other related issues. Those she was passionate about .
But she sounded like she was only going thru the motions when it came to broader concerns . She never seemed especially upset about the wars, Palestine, Union busting , Political prisoners and so on. She was a loyal Democrat . No more No less.
I'm sure that some will be upset by my comments. But many know it's true .
No doubt her friends and family are mourning her relatively early death . As well they should . But when i read commentaries like that of Matthew Rothschild i can't recognize the picture he paints.
But she sounded like she was only going thru the motions when it came to broader concerns . She never seemed especially upset about the wars, Palestine, Union busting , Political prisoners and so on. She was a loyal Democrat . No more No less.
I'm sure that some will be upset by my comments. But many know it's true .
No doubt her friends and family are mourning her relatively early death . As well they should . But when i read commentaries like that of Matthew Rothschild i can't recognize the picture he paints.
I only got to work with Andrea a few times and each time wanted to work with her more. Such a great, gifted person, a generous spirit who reached out and touched listeners, and helped us make sense of the world. This is so sad and way too soon. All of us were blessed who had the privilege of working with her. My heart goes out to her close friends and family.
This is not the forum to air your doubts/prejustices.
We are so grateful for Andrea's life and work. In addition to excellent programming, she would often announce important activist events that the community calendar apprentices ignored. We will miss her dearly. In her honor, Sedition!
dear Honesty in obits
And sometimes the truth hurts. Culture, music and the arts were the morning show mainstay AND her forte. When she returned from a Stanford fellowship, boom...the morning show format had changed and she was out. She took the gig she was given. Anchoring the 6 PM news and following Larry Bensky as host of Sunday Salon renamed Sunday Sedition, is a different format and energy from co-hosting a well produced morning show. Mmmm-hmmmmm you are right... you are telling the truth but --- let us tell the WHOLE truth and nothing but...
And sometimes the truth hurts. Culture, music and the arts were the morning show mainstay AND her forte. When she returned from a Stanford fellowship, boom...the morning show format had changed and she was out. She took the gig she was given. Anchoring the 6 PM news and following Larry Bensky as host of Sunday Salon renamed Sunday Sedition, is a different format and energy from co-hosting a well produced morning show. Mmmm-hmmmmm you are right... you are telling the truth but --- let us tell the WHOLE truth and nothing but...
Sorry to hear of the passing of Andrea Lewis.
I will miss the voice of Andrea Lewis on KPFA, just as I miss the voice of Wendal Harper, Chris Bruney, and Mama O'Shea...
Wendal has not passed away, but I miss his voice all the same...
Lynda Carson
I will miss the voice of Andrea Lewis on KPFA, just as I miss the voice of Wendal Harper, Chris Bruney, and Mama O'Shea...
Wendal has not passed away, but I miss his voice all the same...
Lynda Carson
You all are conflicted about something that is off my radar scope, but an important voice has been silenced, and this Canadian listener will very much miss hearing it. Que descanses en paz, Andrea.
The memorial service for Andrea will be held at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland, near the 980 freeway, at the corner of Castro and 14th St, on Tues. Nov 24, from 6 to 9 p.m. (The sanctuary there is newly renovated -- scaffolding removed just this week -- and the 115 year old building is much stronger for the earthquake stability work that was done.)
It's always tragic when someone dies, particularly at such an early age as Andrea Lewis but I do agree with Honesty In Obits that the truth should always come first. I was not a fan of Andrea's but compared to the white leftist hosts like Bensky or Maldari she was a model of fairness, especially on race issues. She would actually let dissident voices have their say in fairness, unlike
Bensky, Maldari, Welch, Bernstein and the rest of the rote leftists. Andrea was a party line Dem
but then the ultra-left at KPFA, the RCP clones, are a bigger pain. The real problem is the whole statist-collectivist ideology that runs Pacifica and that KPFa is so unseemly as to promote such insanitary outfits like Southern Poverty Law Center. KPFA needs to have some real dissents such
as Peter Duesberg, "Holocaust" revisionists and Ayn Rand Objectivists instead of the same old,
same old.
Bensky, Maldari, Welch, Bernstein and the rest of the rote leftists. Andrea was a party line Dem
but then the ultra-left at KPFA, the RCP clones, are a bigger pain. The real problem is the whole statist-collectivist ideology that runs Pacifica and that KPFa is so unseemly as to promote such insanitary outfits like Southern Poverty Law Center. KPFA needs to have some real dissents such
as Peter Duesberg, "Holocaust" revisionists and Ayn Rand Objectivists instead of the same old,
same old.
Maggie Kaigler said that Music and Culture were the ''mainstays '' of the Morning Show and that was changed during A.L.'s time at Stanford . I don't think so . As long as i have been listening the first hour anyway has been devoted to Politics . (Note by that i don't just mean Electoral activity . Wars and resistance to them, strikes , fighting against Police Brutality , etc. are all Political even if the corporate media says otherwise ) It was my understanding that she was demoted due to clashes with Malderi and that , rightly or wrongly, Amy Allison was more popular with listeners .
Re the sentiments that it is somehow improper to voice any criticism of the deceased, i couldn't disagree more . Andrea Lewis was a "' Public figure ''. Albeit a minor one . Any Politican , elected official and yes even a Non profit '' Media personality '' can, and should !, be subjected not only to lavish praise as her fans would apparently have it , but serious questions and criticisms.
To say that it no way depreciates the pain her family and her friends are going thru .
Re the sentiments that it is somehow improper to voice any criticism of the deceased, i couldn't disagree more . Andrea Lewis was a "' Public figure ''. Albeit a minor one . Any Politican , elected official and yes even a Non profit '' Media personality '' can, and should !, be subjected not only to lavish praise as her fans would apparently have it , but serious questions and criticisms.
To say that it no way depreciates the pain her family and her friends are going thru .
When I first was introduced to the gentle voice and mind of this genuinely compassionate lady on the radio at KPFA, I was like always happy that KPFA will remain an intelligent, open, egalitarian minded place to connect with, and Andrea certainly maintained this intent and legacy of KPFA moving forward. She was a hard working and dedicated spirit and we will miss her. I'm currently faced with the ever present reality when a wonderful human being leaves me, asking who will replace her? Can we replace her?
I, like so many, loved her.
Be clear, Aimee Allison elevated the Morning Show as soon as she walked into the studio and opened the mike. The question, if there is one, concerns the effective administration, management, process for removal and/or reassignment of her predecessor, and that was a management call...
Now is not the time to analyse Andrea Lewis' politics for any reason. People should respect the needs of those that were close to her to mourn and think about the positive things that they loved about Andrea and will miss. This is a time where feelings must take priority and be given room. Politics are subjective like food. We don't all like the same thing. Respect is something we can all give, and it doesn't cost anything except a little humanity!
And who are you to define how we are to grieve? You mourn your way and we will mourn our way. Bear witness ...
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