Werman: I'm Marco Werman. We come to public radio for the news. But we get more than that. This is the one place on the dial where you can expect to be surprised. To be moved. By the voices of people connected to the news. Last summer, when every media outlet was covering the death of Michael Jackson, we connected with a Boston listener.
Emmanual Gardiner, told us how the release of Jackson's "Off the Wall" album was one of his big childhood memories, growing up in Liberia.
Gardiner: I used to have a friend ... his name was Saki. He was sort of a foster brother. And he was very clumsy. He was from an ethnic group in Liberia called the Kpelle, and I would tease him mercilessly, I would sing "Don't stop, Kpelle-busta! Don't stop, until you bust it up. Don't stop!" 'Cause he was always so clumsy. And other people would start singing it. And he'd get so mad at me, you know. But it's with love and, Saki, if you're out there and you're listening to this, I'm sorry, and I'm glad you made it through the war alive. I know how to reach you, so we'll talk. That's probably the most indelible memory I have of Michael Jackson "Off the Wall."
Werman: This station delivers memories and images that cut through the clutter of news headlines. It connects you with a deeper understanding of our world. That connection relies on your support. Make a generous contribution to this station. Here's how.