Don White

1938 - 2008

In Loving Memory

It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of a wonderful member of the KPFK and Pacifica Family. Always cheerful, and incredibly generous, Don White will be sorely missed. We will be presenting special tributes to Don on the Air, check the [ Programming Highlights ] for the latest details.

DON WHITE died on about June 20th, 2008, apparently of a heart attack.

The Paul Robeson Community Center Honored Don White in 2004 and this obituary is drawn from the bio we put together then. Don will be sorely missed!

Born in Anacortes, Washington, his life was a reflection of the last 60 years of the progressive movement in the United States. From the time that he was a college student in the late 1950's, fighting against the injustice surrounding the House of Representatives' Un-American Activities Committee, Don remained engaged in the struggle for peace and justice for humanity.

As a dynamic speaker, he was a fixture of the left, often serving as Master of Ceremonies or moderator at events sponsored by a wide range of progressive organizations and coalitions. He was regularly the guy who made the pitch for money at demonstrations as well as social and political events -- because he put people at ease, could make them laugh, and made them want to give and be a part of something much larger than themselves. As a result, Don raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for scores of progressive and humanitarian organizations.

Don came to Los Angeles in 1963 and taught history at Irving Junior High School there. As a charter and lifetime member of United Teachers of Los Angeles, he was deeply committed to issues of equity in educational opportunity, especially for children in the inner cities. Don participated in every teachers' union strike from 1963 until his retirement in 1997.

In 1976, Don traveled to Guatemala in response to the devastating earthquake. He called that month-long journey "an epiphany, a life changing experience" which remained a vibrant part of his political psyche and which resulted in his friendship and faithful service to Central America. During the war in El Salvador, Don made 14 trips to that country and to Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Don was a member of the Echo Park Chapter of the Committee in Solidarity with the people of El Salvador, CISPES, since joining the group shortly after its founding convention in 1980. As an organizer, Board Member and leader of CISPES in Los Angeles, Don coordinated and addressed countless rallies, demonstrations, fundraisers, teach-in's, delegations, material aid drives, congressional visits, civil disobedience actions demanding an end to U.S. intervention in El Salvador and Central America to Central America.

In addition, Don was an organizer of scores of city-wide coalitions addressing various other progressive causes including peace in the Middle East and the treatment of immigrants. As a "Legal Observer" working with the National Lawyers Guild, he could be seen wearing the fluorescent Green Hat worn by the NLG Legal Observers at virtually every major – and minor – demonstration in Los Angeles.

Don was a founding member of the Southern California Fair Trade Network which organized for the WTO protests in Seattle and similar actions around the U.S. He served on the Boards of the Coalition in Solidarity with the people of El Salvador, the Office of the Americas and Americans for Democratic Action, as well as the Local Station Board of Los Angeles community radio station KPFK, 90.7 fm and Pacifica Radio's National Board, among others. He was also a lead organizer and coordinator in the recent historic mass demonstrations for peace and pro-immigrant solidarity rallies in Los Angeles.

Below are some statements, reactions and photos.

We will continue to post and expand our tribute to Don White.

June 22, 2008

Dear Staff, Programmers and Members of the LSB:

It is with a truly heavy heart that I must tell you of the death of my friend, and the friend of all the world, Don White. Don passed away suddenly; we are not exactly sure when. Indeed, as of this writing we do not have any more details.

It will not be possible to fully describe here the degree of loss, both personal and political, that Don's death represents. To describe his contribution to KPFK and Pacifica alone, would fill a volume.

Don was simply a one-man progressive movement for peace and for social, economic and political justice. To say that he will be missed, is trite beyond words.

When we know more and have had a chance to digest this tragic news a bit, we will be back to you with more, including what I am sure will be an announcement of a memorial service for Don.

Until then, let me simply end with a paraphrase of Don's sign-off on his answering machine...
"justice for all and peace in Iraq and El Salvador, and peace every where in the world..."

With deep regrets,
Jim Lafferty,
interim General Manager



Dear Friends,
Our Beloved Don White Died Yesterday - PRESENTE
Dear Don,
You Are the Most Loved & Respected Person in the Peace & Justice Movement, here in Los Angeles.
Your commitment to peace & social justice causes of all kinds, your kindness, your heart, your knowledge, your wit, your humor, your understanding, your patience, your selflessness, your caring for others, and your never-ending ability to work with those of us trying to make the world a better place - always helping to bring solidarity and togetherness. You did it all with a smile on your face and with love in your heart for everyone. There will be a special memorial service for you very soon. We will need to have it in a very big place so that all of your many friends can come to remember you and to honor you for the friend you were to so many of us.
Love
Frank Dorrel

---

DON WHITE...PRESENTE! PRESENTE! PRESENTE!
Yes, Don, you were present, you always were present and we think you are still present.
You were present to assist in the formation of Medical Aid to El Salvador.
You were present in the formation of CISPES
At great personal risk, you brought the good news of CISPES to El Salvador in the midst of a bloody conflict. And you constantly returned to El Salvador during the worst moments of that war.
And you were (are) present in the needs of the millions of refugees in the United States.
You clearly and forcefully denounced the police state tactics of the ICE raids. You were always there to oppose the rape and occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan.
We treasure our days with you in Los Angeles, Central America and also in various jail cells.
Your life was lived to the last moment in full force and bountiful.
For the communication of truth, justice and peace you served as a force of nature as a board member for the Office of the Americas, the Pacifica National Board and the KPFK Local Board.

How can any person do so much?
In Spanish this is called "entrega total" (total dedication). It is the virtue of a revolutionary. Don, you were (are) the moral revolution called for by Dr. Martin Luther King. You were never in an ideological trap but you were flush with the spiritual values that will revolutionize the world. This is the moral revolution fostered by love, joy, justice, peace, courage, endurance and compassion. These profound spiritual qualities were the very pillars of your magnificent life.
"By their fruits you shall know them."

Adios companero Blanco!

La lucha misma es la victoria, (The struggle itself is the victory).
Theresa and Blase Bonpane

---

We so treasure you Don, and all the work you do to make this a friendlier planet for everyone, everything. If cloning were EVER a good idea, we would start with you.
Love and Hugs,
Sally Marr & Peter Dudar



Dear Friends,
It is with a heavy heart that I write that Don White has left us.  This is one of the saddest days ever -- for all who knew Don and all that benefited from his commitment to people and the planet.  He was a mentor, an example of who we can be for others, a shining example of what it means to be the best human that you can be.  He was a dear friend to me and a partner in many causes.   
Don White gave me faith in humanity. He was one of the greatest human beings that ever lived and most certainly the kindest, most compassionate, generous and gracious person I've ever met. He embodied the quote, "Be the change you wish to see in the world" (Gandhi). I am devastated by his having left the building. But I know that I am a better person for having known Don White, as is everyone with whom he made contact and even millions who never had the privilege of meeting this saint of a man.
I miss you already, Don. Rest in Peace, my friend. You'll always be my chair & I'll always be your vice (chair)!
Maria Armoudian

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Don was a very special person and staunch ally of all those "voices of struggle, voices of change" that the SWANA Collective features on Radio Intifada. He will be sorely missed by all of us struggling for peace and social justice. Shukran,Don.
Don White. . . PRESENTE

Sherna Gluck for SWANA (South and West Asia and North Africa) Collective

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I and so many others are stunned and deeply saddened. Still in shock. I saw don pretty much every week doing activist work he and the women's group with whom I am active do together, including at weekly vigils on haiti. Indeed we were to have a mtg in a few days, to plan a visit to the bolivian consulate that don had set up for us, and to meet up again at the la social forum next weekend.

I have known and worked with don in one capacity or another since the 1980's. It is so very hard to grasp and absorb, yet in a weird way I understand how quickly and easily things like this can happen. Some of you may recall my very serious illness last year, you may not have known that I was just hours away from death, but I came back, and don was so very concerned and kind, tracking me down and writing about his deep concern.

His voice of reason and balance will be missed dearly. I know of few people who were so dedicated to social change than don, it was his whole life, he worked tirelessly and always with great humor, love and compassion. He will be mourned by thousands in socal, and by many more in el salvador. Don white presente! Will write more as will others, also he will be remembered on my show and others on kpfk. What a loss!!!!
Margaret Prescod

Join host Margaret Prescod, on Sojourner Truth, for a discussion about Don White with those who knew him best.

Original Air Date: Tuesday June 24, 7-8 am (PST)

Activists throughout Southern California are stunned and grieved by the sudden death of Don White, well known Southern California activist and KPFK Local Station Board member. Don White contributed more than most to the movements for peace and justice, including his work with CISPES which is the Committee in Support of the People of El Salvador, Office of the Americas, numerous peace, anti-war, anti-intervention, pro-immigrants rights groups and coalitions, the Ad Hoc Working Group on Haiti, mass protests and more. He is being mourned and will be missed by thousands throughout Southern California, and thousands more in El Salvador.

When Don died, he was in the midst of organizing for the upcoming LA Social Forum, we will hear from one of the Forum organizers to learn more about the workshops and other activities planned for first Los Angeles Social Forum.

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