Welcome Home, Mark.
by O’Xman
Dedicated to my South African mom and Mark & Co., who went to the Congo and beyond.

“Keb’ Mo’ has been a friend and mentor of mine since 2000. He once told me that the important thing is to get up in the morning and let the inspiration take care of itself. As Playing for Change has continued to evolve over time it has always had the wisdom and love that Keb’ Mo’ evokes at the center of its heart and purpose. He is truly someone who makes you want to be a ‘Better Man.’” - Mark Johnson

Yes, let’s get the U.S. to sing the blues… so that we can be better people.

Change via Peace, not by chanting War is Peace or thinking War brings Peace. Peace by embracing the sadness that runs through life, not Peace through flight from that fact. Peace from Forgiving… accepting our vulnerability… being susceptible being part of our nature. In health, in international relations. With every assailable step recording our demise (footprints as trail of death)… blues giving birth, spirits arising. Finding joy together in the blight man was born for, in collective sight, in the blindness we can overcome.

We can all be better people individually… with information… with music. But in solidarity? Together, effectively counteracting what’s NOT peaceful? Oh, that takes more than facts, more than dancing together on the hilltops, in the streets. More than having those fleeting moments of our rhythms being in sync.

And it is like fighting a five-hundred-foot wave with a teaspoon, placing our well-intentioned heartbeats and dance steps adjacent to the roar of incessantly warring elements, today’s horrid momentum. [Pause.] So… a new paradigm for change is in order. [I have already placed my order, but I need you to drive me to pick it up. Is that too oblique? Is that too lyrical? But... am I spot-on?]

We have to guard against everyone jumping for joy over someone preaching to a voiceless choir. Whether that someone is my hero ‘Keb ‘Mo or my hero Howard Zinn*. Anyone. [Pause.] For our work is to provide a VOICE for movement in solidarity… so that we can address the incessant elements described above. Not to merely dance in delusion. [Pause.] To transcend our differences. To inspire each other sufficiently. To make this a better place.

*Dave Zirin, the well-known leftist sports guy, recently posted his take on Howard Zinn’s The People Speak. I believe it’s worth reviewing the last two paragraphs: You’ll note how he underscores the value of turning politics into art… for the purpose of introducing “a new generation to Sojourner Truth, Eugene Debs, and perhaps most importantly of all, to the works of Howard Zinn.” Why is that valuable? [Pause.] I’m not stupid. I know that that’s admirable, worthwhile… something to be applauded. My question has to do with why that’s deemed sufficient. For, clearly, Zirin shows no sense of being in touch with Zinn’s ultimate aim:

“Knowing history is less about understanding the past than changing the future.”

Dave Zirin inserts that quote of Howard’s in his article, but I’m at a loss to understand how he or any of the celebrities participating — or how Howard himself — reconciles investing the energy and resources demanded by The People Speak in lieu of taking action in solidarity to change the future. Which is, I’m afraid (and very sad to say), what’s going on with their high profile event.

Will there be a clear plea for action in the broadcast? I doubt it. If there is, will viewers be helped to see HOW to go about changing the status quo (following an effective paradigm)? Not a chance in hell. For the well-intentioned souls taking part in honoring Howard’s work are — predictably — slated to provide entertainment which leads… virtually nowhere, asking for no major sacrifice, the meat and potatoes of TV (from its Salad Days till now). [Pause.] As our horrid momentum mounts.

Yes, seeds will be planted by that production. But they will not bloom beautifully enough in time.

Enter Keb’ Mo’ with Mark & Co. For the purpose of getting the country to sing the blues in solidarity. Leading to very specific action. With an acknowledgment of serious deadlines as we dance together.

I was going to title this article “Welcome Home Mark” instead of “Welcome Home, Mark.” ‘Cause I consider this piece a potential turning point of sorts. It can be, but I need to bond with Mark & Co. first, and so I opted for the more personal approach, an Open Letter, a direct plea. A request to be invited for a rendezvous in person.

I have no money with which to make a trip to L.A. No time either, what with having to deal with my wife’s cancer-related diagnoses. But — somehow — if invited, I’ll find the cash, I’ll make the time, offer up my heartbeats. To which, I pray, one and all will dance. It would be an honor. That said, there is also the option of one and all visiting my family in our digs at our home in the Vienna Woods of Aptos, California. Whatever.

This is important. For unless we embrace some action in solidarity which follows a new model for change… there will be no future for our many, many children. [Pause.] And our little Marcello will play without change.

In loving regards,
Ricardo
tosca.2010@yahoo.com
P.S. In all humility, I believe One Love Party is worth a glance now (that you’ve traveled this far).