Another beautifully-written and well-argued piece, David, thank you.
As we both know, Pete Seeger was one of the people there 75 years ago this weekend, for the Paul Robeson concert outside Peekskill, a moment that showed how close your country ever was to fascism (till now?), how frightened the powers-that-be can become of conscious artists, and what lengths they would go to to silence them. Before Robeson was Joe Hill. Both their names remain with us still, and I was delighted to meet a young American man, Joey Shaw, in Edinburgh this year doing his own version of Joe Hill: The Man Who Never Died, at the Fringe.
I totally agree that too many of our movements today are devoid of music, and as I experience all-too-often myself, too few people are interested in the kind of theatre that seeks to inspire activism and the use of art within it. However, we keep doing what we do because we have to.
Let me take this opportunity to bring to your readers' attention the audio play that we worked on together, remotely, with others, during Covid - Paul Robeson's Love Song. www.robesonslovesong.com
Thanks so much for all that, Tayo! I was going to mention to you that there's a new recording out, and they were talking about Paul Robeson on NPR the other day. I should have realized it was because of the 75th anniversary of Peekskill! I wish they had mentioned your plays on NPR, but they didn't...
Protesters could learn much from Pete Seeger's method of protest. In particular: He was consistent, appearing regularly on a street corner in his neighborhood. He had the proper demeanor, respect for others and willingness to share with others. When I see a video of a street protest it looks to me like a bunch of assholes getting their rocks off spitting and yelling at others. This may make you feel good and proud, but you are just being an asshole. You are meaningless.
Yes we could use some of those amazing songs that have been so important in the past, and yes those puppets of Peter Schumann were incredible when we marched, but I would not dismiss the work, and yes "culture" of today by comparing it to FBI organizing! Different times as many are putting themselves out in the streets, at universities and it is great that you are joining them David!!
I’m a latecomer to your music, David, having attended your show in Boston a few months ago. I’m ashamed to say that as a granddaughter of an Irish immigrant in the late 19th century, I had never heard of John Riley and the St. Patrick Battalion and was very moved by your song. (Maybe I should blame our history curriculum!)
I learned to play it on the ukulele and brought it to my ukulele group and played it for them. They are quite gung-ho on the role of the US military around the world, having been fed that same curriculum that I received, but they respectfully listened, and were also unaware of the history that your song uncovers. So that’s my first foray into Seegerism, and I thank you. I love the inclusion of Palestinian culture into the Gaza protests; the music and dancing are so uplifting.
Nice essay. I disagree with much of your politics, and with much of Pete Seeger’s too. But I agree that Pete Seeger was great, and I miss him very much. I crossed his path many times; his brother was a principal at my school. I’m also not sure I agree with your FBI conspiracy theory, but I am puzzled that nobody has risen up to take his place. You could do it, his kids or nieces or nephews could do it, lots of others could, but no one is getting the traction. That is a shame.
Another beautifully-written and well-argued piece, David, thank you.
As we both know, Pete Seeger was one of the people there 75 years ago this weekend, for the Paul Robeson concert outside Peekskill, a moment that showed how close your country ever was to fascism (till now?), how frightened the powers-that-be can become of conscious artists, and what lengths they would go to to silence them. Before Robeson was Joe Hill. Both their names remain with us still, and I was delighted to meet a young American man, Joey Shaw, in Edinburgh this year doing his own version of Joe Hill: The Man Who Never Died, at the Fringe.
I totally agree that too many of our movements today are devoid of music, and as I experience all-too-often myself, too few people are interested in the kind of theatre that seeks to inspire activism and the use of art within it. However, we keep doing what we do because we have to.
Let me take this opportunity to bring to your readers' attention the audio play that we worked on together, remotely, with others, during Covid - Paul Robeson's Love Song. www.robesonslovesong.com
Available to listen to on purchase of a pay-what-you-can ticket: https://res.cthearts.com/event/34:3739/34:63437/
Keep on singing your songs, David, and see you soon.
Thanks so much for all that, Tayo! I was going to mention to you that there's a new recording out, and they were talking about Paul Robeson on NPR the other day. I should have realized it was because of the 75th anniversary of Peekskill! I wish they had mentioned your plays on NPR, but they didn't...
"The road may be long, the climb, steep. But change will yet come..."
And I'm reminded of a wise saying, credited to someone's African-American grandmother:
"Honey, if the mountain's smooth, you cain't clim' it."
Protesters could learn much from Pete Seeger's method of protest. In particular: He was consistent, appearing regularly on a street corner in his neighborhood. He had the proper demeanor, respect for others and willingness to share with others. When I see a video of a street protest it looks to me like a bunch of assholes getting their rocks off spitting and yelling at others. This may make you feel good and proud, but you are just being an asshole. You are meaningless.
Yes we could use some of those amazing songs that have been so important in the past, and yes those puppets of Peter Schumann were incredible when we marched, but I would not dismiss the work, and yes "culture" of today by comparing it to FBI organizing! Different times as many are putting themselves out in the streets, at universities and it is great that you are joining them David!!
I’m a latecomer to your music, David, having attended your show in Boston a few months ago. I’m ashamed to say that as a granddaughter of an Irish immigrant in the late 19th century, I had never heard of John Riley and the St. Patrick Battalion and was very moved by your song. (Maybe I should blame our history curriculum!)
I learned to play it on the ukulele and brought it to my ukulele group and played it for them. They are quite gung-ho on the role of the US military around the world, having been fed that same curriculum that I received, but they respectfully listened, and were also unaware of the history that your song uncovers. So that’s my first foray into Seegerism, and I thank you. I love the inclusion of Palestinian culture into the Gaza protests; the music and dancing are so uplifting.
Nice essay. I disagree with much of your politics, and with much of Pete Seeger’s too. But I agree that Pete Seeger was great, and I miss him very much. I crossed his path many times; his brother was a principal at my school. I’m also not sure I agree with your FBI conspiracy theory, but I am puzzled that nobody has risen up to take his place. You could do it, his kids or nieces or nephews could do it, lots of others could, but no one is getting the traction. That is a shame.
Nice column! Keep the songs and activism coming!