Cultural Tapesty Needs Your Help
A letter from Valerie Tutson, show host

Dear Friends and Colleagues,
 
For the past eleven years I have had the honor and privilege of getting to know you and the work you do in the community by hosting and then hosting/producing Cultural Tapestry for Cox. It has been a thrill to learn your stories and to share them with the Rhode Island community. I am sorry to say that Cox has recently informed me that the December show is to be the last.
 
Cultural Tapestry began in 1993 because the national office encouraged their regional and local companies to develop programming pertaining to "under-represented" communities.  While the initiative called for only four programs a year, the success of Cultural Tapestry, and the support of the Rhode Island community helped us see this was an important program that clearly filled a need.  The first year, we produced eight shows.  Each year since  we have produced between ten and twelve shows.  This award winning  monthly public affairs show has high- lighted visiting national artists, local artists and arts organizations, cultural communities and grassroots non- profit agencies working in Rhode Island.  It has truly been a broad and beautiful representation of our community.  We have learned about each other through the stories we've shared.  Through the process I have become committed to providing a forum and voice for those who often go unnoticed due to lack of resources and access to media.
 
Recently, Cox decided to cancel Cultural Tapestry along with Rhode Island Magazine and Rhode Trip. These three public affairs programs  deal specifically with art, culture and community, three areas  I find critical in attaining a "Vibrant Community," to coin a phrase from the Rhode Island Foundation. Cox is moving to fulfill its new identiy as Cox Sports Television. As I tell people about that decision, I have been  told again and again how important cultural programming is to the community. Many of you have told me these are the only three shows you watch on Cox. I have heard many people say, "What?!  More sports?  Just what we need..."  You have asked me whom to contact, and "what can we do about it?"
 
I finally have an answer. And I need your help.  If you, like me, are committed to hearing all the voices in the community, it's time to let Cox know. They think sports is the way to go. Sports is not the only programming that pays!  Cultural Tapestry, Rhode Trip and Rhode Island Magazine were programs that the company supported and  produced  with their resources as part of their commitment to the community.  These were not locally, independently produced public access shows. Whereas I do receive an honorarium, the payment was the same for the first five years, with a slight increase once I began to produce the show.  That fee has remained the same for the past five years.  I do this work because I know its value to the community.  Now, Cox has pulled its resources from these shows to produce more sports programming. I don't know about you, but I am committed to making sure there are more stories told in the media, than just sports and reality television.
 
If you have questions, concerns or comments about the programming decisions being made please contact the following people:
 
Paul.Cronin@cox.com   Vice President and General Manager
John.Wolfe@cox.com    Vice President of Public Affairs
MaryLou.Palumbo@cox.com   Community Progamming Manager
Ray.Lepre@cox.com      Cox Sports Television Operations Manager
Rebecca.Wetmore@cox.com
 
Or, send a letter on your letterhead to 9 J.P. Murphy Highway, West Warwick, RI 02893
 
Tell them who you are and how you were connected  with Cultural Tapestry and/or one of the other programs mentioned.  Let them know how these programs have impacted your life or group or business. Tell them what you have learned about the Rhode Island community by watching these shows and why you think they are important.
 
Ask them what direction the company is headed in terms of  programming. Ask them to tell you who is involved in the decision making process. Ask them about their commitment to the community, in particular in regards to arts, culture and the diverse community we live in. Tell them why you think it's important to have such a presence in the media.  Ask them to tell you what plans they have to keep a strong local community presence on television- the only cable company we have in Rhode Island. Let them know you are watching, for now, and waiting to hear from them.
 
Pass this email on to your email list.  Encourage everyone you know to voice his or her opinion.   Your voice is important.  Let it be heard!
 
Ghandi said, "We must be the change we seek."  Margaret Mead reminded us to "Never doubt that a group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has." 
 
Yours,
 
Valerie Tutson

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