KPPC brings its inspiring 'Unheard L.A.' series to Downey

Host Bruce Lemon with storytellers at Unheard LA in Downey. Photo by Carol Kearns

There is still time to catch one more live show (Episode 6) in the compelling series Unheard LA. These free events are sponsored by local public radio station KPCC (89.3 FM) and they feature real people – our friends, our families, our neighbors –  up on stage, telling about their struggles, their successes, their surprises, and their dreams for the future.  The next show will be at the Baldwin Park Performing Arts Center on April 7.

We went to the show at the Downey Theatre on Sunday afternoon to cheer on a friend, Maria Zeeman, who had been selected to share her story about her years as a little girl in a prisoner of war camp in Indonesia during World War II.  

Maria is an 80-year-old grandmother, now an American citizen, and she had kept the pain of this war experience inside her for over 60 years. About five years ago a counselor suggested she join a writing group.

Maria shared the stage with nine others who told stories about other personal experiences that are not uncommon in our 21st century world: refugee status, immigration, sexual identity, family displacement, autism, and working with the homeless. Both program and audience were totally SoCal –  multi-national and multi-generational. My daughters were captivated, and often teary-eyed, they said.

The goal of this series is to help people build their sense of connection with others. Humans are wired for empathy, and through hearing the stories of others, we recognize our shared humanity. I want to live in a society that values cooperation and compassion, and I know that requires an open mind and heart.

My adrenaline was flowing even before the show began. We were a fair-sized group to start with because Maria is a member of our writing class. I also saw other friends I hadn’t expected to see as we moved through the lobby and into the theater. We chatted with the mayor, with a bridge partner of Maria’s (I didn’t know Gloria knew Maria), with poets from Long Beach, and with an incredibly dynamic young activist from Warren High.

Maria Zeeman (center) with daughters Beatrix and Loretta, and friends. Maria was a featured storyteller at Unheard LA in Downey.

Despite all of the turmoil that has affected our country and world for so many years, I still believe in “the better angels of our nature.” Most of us are born wanting to share and get along, but we need to work at these qualities if we want to survive these contentious times. Otherwise we  degenerate into a collection of greedy individuals whose only goal is “I’ve got mine.”

"Unheard LA" inspires us to follow on our natural urge to listen, empathize, support, and try to do the right thing. Thank you, KPCC.