Friday's Heavenly Voices
I'm not going to call any names and tell you which one of our guests almost gave me a heart attack today by sliding into HIS or HER chair just one minute before airtime. I'm just going to say, THANKS for coming ... but don't you understand that a sister has bad nerves?
Anyway, it all worked out. I must investigate whether there's a patron saint for people who work on deadlines; like St. Francis, who cares for animals, and St. Christopher, who watches over travelers ... Is there an angel up there watching over those of us facing "dead air" if somebody doesn't show up?
Speaking of angels, heavenly voices. We had an interesting visit to the Washington National Cathedral. Last week, you may remember that His Holiness the Dalai Lama was here to receive a Congressional Medal of Honor. While here, he participated in a very wide range of activities, some of which made the news, some of which did not. He had a low-key, but (I'm told) very profound visit to a place we've visited before on this program, the N Street Village. It's a treatment facility and residence for women struggling with homelessness and addiction.
Another event -- not as high-profile as the Congressional event, but pretty intoxicating in its own right -- was a concert held at the majestic cathedral. If you've ever been there, you can imagine the high, high ceilings, the stained glass windows, the incredible organ, the marble carvings. Now, picture that, and then put Keb' Mo' and Crosby, Stills & Nash in that scene.
Graham Nash, among others, started working three years ago on something similar to a summit, involving interfaith spiritual leaders ... and musicians. They call it "Pray for Peace." Hear them talk about it...
You might think this is all some lefty anti-Bush, anti-war thing. ...And you'd be wrong. One of Nash's motivations is what some conservatives call the clash of cultures. Also, one of Keb' Mo's ongoing themes is individuals taking responsibility for their own happiness and for the happiness of their communities.
I was wondering if, in putting on an event like this, either man had a concern about people who are just along for the ride, those who have no real belief in the purpose of the event, who just want to hear some great artists, up-close and personal. Their answer was interesting...
Also, it was great to talk to our third guest, the Rev. Dr. Samuel Lloyd, Dean of the Cathedral. We think we should have him back for a separate Faith Matters conversation, don't you?
But, to the degree that this event reflects more left-of-center politics ... in response to today's political issues, is there a more right-of-center event, multicultural of course, that also includes music as a vehicle for change?
I'd like to know about it. And, would the Sen. Barack Obama gospel tour qualify?
Looking ahead to next week ... Have any of your friends sent you e-mails about the so-called "Black Out," sponsored by radio host Warren Ballentine? He wants African Americans and other progressives to refrain from spending money on November 2nd to demonstrate the buying power of the African American community, and to protest what he calls ongoing indifference to acts of injustice (the Jena Six, etc.). There's also a call for a November 16th march on Washington to the U.S. Department of Justice, protesting what organizers are calling the department's indifference to hate crimes being committed across the country.
The ongoing question ... do marches matter?
I'd like to know what you think. We'll be talking to organizers of the march next week...
Hope you have a good weekend. My family will be doing the usual -- birthday party, school event, yada, yada, yada...
And, I still haven't seen Tyler Perry's new movie. I have to know what my girl Teshima was talking about.
3:08 PM ET | 10-26-2007 | permalink
