Mary Mason, who for decades was a force in Philadelphia, has died, after a long and sad battle with Alzheimer’s. The Philadelphia Tribune provides details here.
The news story doesn’t mention controversy, which could have been her middle name. That’s often a byproduct of being a strong activist. I’ll get back to that in a moment.
The story also fails to mention that the legendary broadcaster was robbed blind by her grandson, on whom she had doted on her radio show. He took advantage of her once she was in sad decline. This was nothing short of tragedy.
On the radio, she was a strong advocate for civil rights, and her people, meaning African-Americans. She endorsed some candidates, fought with others, interviewed Presidents. She was close with former Mayor Frank Rizzo.
At one point she threatened to launch a boycott against the Daily News over a story she didn’t like.
One or her more explosive comments had to do with Jews jumping out of the ovens when they are criticized.
That created an uproar, although I think Mason was talking about Jewish solidarity when they are attacked, but she used a truly horrible metaphor. I took her to task for it and I know a few Jews recorded her shows to compile other perceived insults.
Here I will share a couple of personal anecdotes.
I was only an occasional listener to “Mornings With Mary,” as I did not listen to much morning radio, and when I did it was KYW and WIP.
Nevertheless, because I was writing about culture and politics, she invited me to join her as a guest one morning at 8 a.m. This would have been in the early ‘90s.
Because I am deadline-oriented, I am never late.
Make that almost never.
That morning, although I had plenty of time, the Schuylkill was flooded by a near hurricane, and the drive from my home in South Philly to her studio in Wynnefield was painfully slow.
I was about 10 minutes late, and was deeply embarrassed.
Rather than being forgiving, the often combative Mason scolded me.
On air.
As if I didn’t think the broadcast was important.
Often combative myself, I wise-cracked, “I was on CPT.”
CPT stands for Colored Peoples Time, which Blacks use as an inside joke.
“You’re not supposed to know about CPT!,” she shouted.
I laughed, as did the other guest, whose name I don’t recall.
That was the second time I met Mary in person.
The first time was in the late ‘80s at the Pen & Pencil, a Center City club for journalists and their friends. I was the gossip columnist for the Daily News.
She was invited to be on a panel at the club, and I, as secretary of the club, a job I held off and on for decades, greeted her at the door.
“Welcome, Mary. I’m Stu Bykofsky.”
“No, you’re not,” she replied.
“What?”
‘You are Clark DeLeon,” she said. DeLeon was then the very popular local scene columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer. We were both tall, dark-haired, broad-shouldered, and bespectacled, but we don’t look alike.
“No, Mary. I am Stu Bykofsky.”
‘No you are not,” she insisted adamantly.
She stood her ground until I produced my press card, with my name and photo.
I don’t tell this story to be mean. I tell this story to illustrate that people with strong beliefs, or maybe ego, can be quite certain about something that is certainly wrong.
That she occasionally referred to me as “that white boy at the Daily News,” didn’t bother me. It wasn’t said in hate, annoyance maybe, and people in public life have to learn to tolerate some name-calling.
On balance, Mary Mason did a lot of good for “her people,” she made a mark as a strong, if imperfect vessel.
R.I.P. Mary.
This is Stu Bykofsky
All through the 80s I worked at home and listened to WWDB, which had a nice mixture of pundits on all sides of the aisle (Irv, of course, was a Libertarian). Even though Mary sometimes annoyed me with her opinions, I never turned her off. There was something about her that was very likable, so I looked forward to her take on current events. I hope her grandson paid some kind of price for treating her so abominably.
Thank you Stu…..for some reason, I thought she passed several years ago, but I guess I confused that with the Alzheimers. For anyone who was involved in politics and public affairs during that time, her influence and passion cannot be understated. Many times she would infuriate me, but she was a talk show host and was allowed to have opinions. For the most part, she was objective though and that also included her opinions towards her African-American audience. She had no fear and would call out elected officials when necessary and often. Those criticisms had no color line.
I used to marvel at her influence as though the audience was small, it was quality. I would call it the City’s largest conference call as its ratings could not even be measured because it was so small, but the people who would be on that call were impressive. In terms of Jews, she had a complicated relationship. I did not consider her antisemitic and in fact would hold them up as examples of how to excel in the face of discrimination. But sometimes her rhetoric could be misconstrued and inflammatory. Whether that was purposeful, we will never know. And one could say Trump behaves in that vein.
WHAT at that time was a true player. she is just one of the gems that is unknown to this new generation of leaders. But for me, I am glad I listened to her and knew her. She was certainly one of a kind. Thank you again.
Thanks for adding detail.
I do not believe she was anti-Semitic, nor do I believe it of Trump. Stupid remarks are not the same as hate,
Stu, I laughed out loud at your CPT comment.
I did not know about it until I went to a black wedding years ago and people all showed up 2 hours late. That’s when I first learned no black person shows up for black weddings on time. Only unknowing white people. Thanks for a great laugh. You made my morning.
You’re welcome.
Thank you Stu for great look into a great person.
I am extremely sad to read about her passing. I remember listening to her and agreeing with most of what she said but also getting angry at many of the things she had to confront.
R.I.P. Ms Mason
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Always enjoy Mary on the radio. Maybe not all the topics but I enjoyed the down to earth way she had of call people out on a number topics. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. RIP Mary
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Your wit never ceases to amaze me.
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Interesting stories.
You absolutely practice what you preach.
Thanks