Clearwater and inclusiveness

Clearwater is a folk festival. It's also an environmental advocacy organization. It's also a boat. But Clearwater is not just any folk festival, not just any environmental organization, not just any boat. What makes Clearwater special in my opinion is that Clearwater has a soul. Clearwater has values and tries to put them into practice in everything it does. These values are environmental sustainability and inclusiveness. At the Clearwater festival, the sound systems are powered by sustainable energy sources. The park where the festival is held only collects trash, so a crew of Clearwater volunteers collects recyclables. There is also a crew of volunteers dedicated to accessibility. There are sign language interpreters on each stage. While most folk musicians, whether at the Clearwater festival or elsewhere, encourage singalongs to a certain degree, there is an area at the Clearwater festival dedicated to participatory singing, with no sound system so that the professional musicians are not separated from the other participants. In addition to music and crafts, the festival offers information on peace and environmental activism and green living.

When I went on the Clearwater boat many years ago, I was working for an organization whose goal was to do good in the world. However, there was tension because not all who wanted to do good were welcomed participants. I can appreciate the value of setting one's priorities based on the needs of the people you serve, rather than the needs of the people who want to help. I can appreciate that people who want to help but don't have the proper training and experience can do more harm than good. Nonetheless, after being in a climate of keeping people out, it was refreshing to take a sail on the Clearwater and find myself in a climate which welcomed people. When the boat arrived at a new dock, the people aboard would talk with anyone who happened to be around at the dock, and invite them on board for a tour.

I'm reminded of what I read about the Almanac Singers, who were a predecessor to the Weavers. The Almanc Singers were loose about practicing and who was a member. Not all were happy with that situation. Some wanted higher musical standards. The Weavers were formed with that intent.

It's no coincidence that Clearwater and the Almanac Singers both have/had an inclusive approach. Pete Seeger was a driving force in both.

I know that there's value in maintaining high standards, but I don't think this means you have to completely sacrifice inclusivity. Just because you invite people onto your boat doesn't mean you have to make them captain. If someone who wants to help you do good in the world isn't qualified to go to the Middle East to make peace, they may be able to organize a great fundraising event at home. It takes time to listen to people and discover what each has to offer. But taking this time is how you keep your soul. You lose something if you just focus on efficiently implementing the mission of the organization, at the expense of values and community.

I know that Clearwater is not perfect. I personally have witnessed conflict and disgruntled people within Clearwater. Building a welcoming community is no easy task, and the road will not be perfectly smooth. But despite the difficulties, a visitor to the festival can clearly see the expression of Clearwater's values. To create an expression of those values on such a large scale is quite an achievement.

Broadside Electric

Broadside Electric is a folk rock band in the Philadelphia area. Their influences include Steeleye Span, Fairport Convention, Jethro Tull, and Child ballads. They describe their music as "folk music with teeth" and they say, ""This is the only record you'll hear that has a Croatian dance, an English music hall song and a Bob Dylan cover." You can listen to some of their songs on their myspace profile.

One reason I took an interest in them is because some of them went to Haverford College, as did I. They are younger than I am, but I do remember one of them, Tom Rhoads from college. I didn't know him well, but we knew some of the same people, and he seemed like a cool guy. Too bad I didn't get to know him better. But back then, I didn't even know I was going to turn out to be a folkie.

Hail to the Chief

Hail to the Chief is an amusing song by John McCutcheon. The lyrics are a collection of funny things said by George W. Bush, such as "How can a man still put food on his family." The song is from the album Hail to the Chief and other short shelf-life classics. From what I've told you so far, you can probably already tell the type of songs that are on it, but as an example, another song on the album is called "Talking Tinky-Winky Blues."