Miae Kim started at Oregon's KBOO as a volunteer --- nowadays she's the host and founding producer of her own program, 'Radio Beyond Borders.' She says the mission of the show is to open up the airwaves to the voices of immigrants and refugees whose stories are usually ignored by the media. And that's what this radio feature does, in the form of three Iraqi-Americans sharing their experiences and concerns about their home-country on the eve of the third anniversary of the Iraq War. There's no narration in this half-hour piece (an ambitious editorial decision), but producer Kim pulls it off with well-selected pieces of tape and a refined ear for pacing.
If you're looking for the 'pro/con' back and forth that happens in a lot of public radio explorations on political topics, you won't find it here. Kim has chosen three speakers who are all opposed to the US military presence in Iraq --- she said it was actually a challenge, in fact, finding Iraqi Immigrants who were not pro-war. Whether or not you agree with the political slant of this radio piece, you'll definitely have your eyes opened to just how irreversibly disruptive the conflict is to the lives of everyday civilians living day to day in a war zone.
"If you came to help, why would you destroy..?" asks one of the Iraqi-American voices in Miae Kim's very solid documentary/ conversation.
Her question speaks for all the Iraqi-Americans interviewed for the program. These voices in turn aim to speak for the many living out a war in the homeland.
The voices talk about relatives in Bagdad and lives without water, power, and employment. They tell us about Saddam Hussein and a war that wasn't necessary. They speak -- with hope -- about a vote and democracy. And, they speak of the need to educate in America about outrages at home.
The voices stand on their own, without interruption from narration or ambiance. They may talk for several minutes. This brings the listener in and gives the subjects the respect they deserve. It's a good choice by the producer.
There's only one male voice in the mix (used sparingly). And female voices are butt cut at times. We don't always know which character is talking, which is frustrating at first. But then the real character -- an Iraq in torment -- emerges and it's less of an issue.
The material feels contemporary and fresh, and doesn't dwell on the politics. So programmers can feel safely using this as an evergreen, perhaps during a holiday weekend.
Comments for Voices of Iraqi Americans on War and Peace
Produced by Miae Kim
Other pieces by Miae Kim
Rating Summary
2 comments
Aaron Henkin
Posted on July 05, 2006 at 12:15 PM | Permalink
Review of Voices of Iraqi Americans on War and Peace
Miae Kim started at Oregon's KBOO as a volunteer --- nowadays she's the host and founding producer of her own program, 'Radio Beyond Borders.' She says the mission of the show is to open up the airwaves to the voices of immigrants and refugees whose stories are usually ignored by the media. And that's what this radio feature does, in the form of three Iraqi-Americans sharing their experiences and concerns about their home-country on the eve of the third anniversary of the Iraq War. There's no narration in this half-hour piece (an ambitious editorial decision), but producer Kim pulls it off with well-selected pieces of tape and a refined ear for pacing.
If you're looking for the 'pro/con' back and forth that happens in a lot of public radio explorations on political topics, you won't find it here. Kim has chosen three speakers who are all opposed to the US military presence in Iraq --- she said it was actually a challenge, in fact, finding Iraqi Immigrants who were not pro-war. Whether or not you agree with the political slant of this radio piece, you'll definitely have your eyes opened to just how irreversibly disruptive the conflict is to the lives of everyday civilians living day to day in a war zone.
[redacted]
Posted on May 21, 2006 at 09:48 AM | Permalink
Review of Voices of Iraqi Americans on War and Peace
Four Stars
"If you came to help, why would you destroy..?" asks one of the Iraqi-American voices in Miae Kim's very solid documentary/ conversation.
Her question speaks for all the Iraqi-Americans interviewed for the program. These voices in turn aim to speak for the many living out a war in the homeland.
The voices talk about relatives in Bagdad and lives without water, power, and employment. They tell us about Saddam Hussein and a war that wasn't necessary. They speak -- with hope -- about a vote and democracy. And, they speak of the need to educate in America about outrages at home.
The voices stand on their own, without interruption from narration or ambiance. They may talk for several minutes. This brings the listener in and gives the subjects the respect they deserve. It's a good choice by the producer.
There's only one male voice in the mix (used sparingly). And female voices are butt cut at times. We don't always know which character is talking, which is frustrating at first. But then the real character -- an Iraq in torment -- emerges and it's less of an issue.
The material feels contemporary and fresh, and doesn't dwell on the politics. So programmers can feel safely using this as an evergreen, perhaps during a holiday weekend.
Anthea Raymond
PRX Editorial Board
May 21, 2006