Do you want to hear about the time I was on television?
Sure. Did you sing and dance?
‘Fraid not. No, I was interviewed on the evening news.
Tell me.
It was on Baltimore’s Channel 13. WJZ-TV.
Apparently they got wind about what our League for Human Rights was doing in the county. So they asked for a member to come to the studio for an interview.
And you went?
Yeah. I was President, so I went. In the meddle of the afternoon, so they could tape it for the evening news broadcast.
Who interviewed you?
Jerry Turner. He was arguably the most liked newsman on TV in those days.
So I left work to go to the studio in the city. Sorry, Westinghouse. And there they were, waiting for me, with their big TV camera.
Intimidating?
A little. Anyway, Jerry and I sat and waited until the crew was ready, and then he started asking me questions. About who we were and what we were doing and why.
And what did you tell him?
Pretty much what I told you.
But I had to keep it short. Lasted maybe 5 or 6 minutes. To fit their time slot.
So how did it go?
Okay, I guess. At least I think I hit the high points. Got our story across.
Did you see the broadcast?
Yep. My family and I watched it on the evening news.
Did you tape it?
No. Unfortunately that was before videotaping was a big thing. Would have been nice to have a record of my — I was going to say my “15 minutes of fame” — my 5 minutes of fame.