[BC] My story

[Robert Paine]

 My experiences were not at profound as those I've read on this list, but I had one that I might have blown up into a confrontation. My last on-air job was at a small, one station market FM. The station did a great job serving the community. However, the pay was very low (who would have guessed?), there were no benefits, and I couldn't take time off for illness - there were no part-time, emergency people. Did one shift with no talking due to laryngitis, then was told to go on the air even though my voice sounded worse that sandpaper or fingernails on a chalkboard. I even worked with one foot elevated after foot surgery earlier in the day. However.
 When I planned to leave, the folks had hired a new person. She is African-American, never been to a radio station and so on. But, she has a wonderful personality, great air presence and picked up very quickly.
 We were talking one night and got around to salary and such. She HIT the roof when I told her what I made as opposed to her hourly rate. And she wasn't torqued for the reason you may think. No, she was ripped because I was making LESS than she did. She said it wasn't fair as I had more experience and had been there longer and so on.
 I felt really good that someone cared that much. I told her, though, what I thought the facts of life were: she was a double-minority - a woman AND African-American, and that was probably why the situation was the way it was. Besides, I said, don't sweat it - I've already turned it, or would soon, my notice. Still, I felt great knowing there were people who still cared about the right things. I can say honestly it was as good a feeling as if I'd gotten a raise.
 We remained in touch for a time. She thought of me as her mentor and one night called in a panic as one of the two stereo cart machines died and her carts were piling up not re-cued. I hustle over, installed a new unit (not difficult - two cables and a power cord) and said, "There you go." 
 She was so relieved and thanked me for bailing her out. I don't care if this is not PC, she has one of the sweetest personalities of anyone I ever met. People like this woman are God's jewels.
 Except for knowing people as nice as she, I'm glad I'm no longer in the biz. I love radio but there isn't enough money to make me WANT to go back.
 Oh, well.....

73, Bob