wfn.org | Release of 'Rage' radio spots coincides with WTC tragedy

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Sept. 17, 2001 News media contact: Thomas S.
McAnally7(615)742-54707Nashville, Tenn.     10-21-71BP{403}

NOTE: A photograph is available for use with this story.

By Nancye M. Willis*

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - At the very moment that the national tragedies of
Sept. 11 were playing out in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania, United
Methodist Communications (UMCom) was launching an effort to address the
everyday spiral of anger that threatens our existence.

"Rage," UMCom's newest series of radio public-service announcements (PSAs),
addresses acts of violence and destruction, immediately bringing to mind the
assault on the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon, plane hijackings and
the threat of long-term war.

"This rage must stop!" the PSAs contend, because it hurts not only the
intended victim, but also the angry individual. The series, which was
several months in the making, is on its way to more than 12,000 U.S. radio
stations. 

The adult-contemporary and country lyrics "You say that life's too much/You
feel you've had enough ... The rage inside you hurts" echo feelings of many
citizens, directly and indirectly affected by the assaults on U.S. freedom.
While anger is an expected response to the losses suffered at the hands of
terrorist assailants, it can prove self-destructive or play itself out in
inappropriate behavior, experts are saying.

Both President Bush, a United Methodist, and Attorney General John Ashcroft
have urged the public to avoid vengeance against Arab-American and Muslim
communities for the terrorist attacks. "We must not descend to the level of
those who perpetrated Tuesday's violence," Ashcroft told reporters Sept. 13.
"Such ... violence and threats are in direct opposition to the very
principles and laws for which the United States of America stands." 

Produced by UMCom's radio ministries unit, the 10-, 30- and 60-second "Rage"
spots urge people to take a deep breath, back off and reconsider. Some
communicate loud, raw cries for help; others are more restrained. As daily
news reports continue to erupt with accounts of violence spawned by rage,
this series offers an antidote to the public.  

"When the series was in its earliest stage of development, several people
involved in the project commented that this is one subject that must be
delivered in 'loud' music. So we did that with two of the versions, while
others are softer and more reflective," said Bill Wolfe, who directs the
radio ministries unit.

"Rage" includes some formats the agency has not used before-hip-hop and
rock/rap-along with country, adult contemporary and news/talk formats.  Each
of the 32 spots takes the listener through scenarios of anger, suggests
antidotes and ends with a tag line identifying the United Methodist Church
and advising the listener to "live your life to the fullest."

UMCom normally produces two to four radio PSA series per year.  A special
group of PSAs developed immediately after the terrorist attacks to address
the nation's concerns is downloadable in MP3 format at www.umc.org/usattack
online.  

The agency also produces, in cooperation with Presbyterian Media Mission in
Pittsburgh, two daily 60-second programs: "Survivors," a series of glimpses
into the world of young people, and "Passages," a series of "audio parables"
of people who have lived through challenging times.

More information on "Rage" and other UMCom radio and TV resources are
available by contacting Radio Ministries, UMCom, P.O. Box 320, Nashville, TN
37202-0320; telephone: (800) 476-7766; e-mail: radio@umcom.org.

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*Willis is a writer and designer at United Methodist Communications.
 

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United Methodist News Service
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