When Political Opposites Find Common Cause
post 133 - "The People, United!" Concert Series
Ken and I built a fire.
Ken: Spook, let’s use wood from that pile over there. (Ken pointed to a stack of wood close to the door.) It’s hard oak and will burn hot and make good coals.
Spook: That’s good looking wood.
Ken: I cut it from the woods behind my house.
Back in the early Teens, and for a decade before that, every first Friday of the month, I drove the one hundred miles from my home in New Brunswick, New Jersey, to the monthly “meeting” of the Beacon Sloop Club in Beacon, New York.
The BSC has met on the first Friday of every month since the late 1960s (and still does). Each gathering consists of what I call “the four primal elements of community building”: Food, Fire, Work & Song. The gatherings started with a potluck at about 6:30 pm. A “business meeting” ran from around 8:00 to 9:00 PM. Then came clean-up time. And once all the food and the small mess it makes were cleaned up, there was a “Circle of Song” which could run well past midnight. Whether we met inside or out, there was always a fire.
One cold winter night, I arrived early to help build the fire with my good friend Ken. I love Ken, rest his soul, although I vehemently disagreed with his politics. I think it’s accurate to describe him as a “right-winger.” He called me a “liberal” and “socialist.” I didn’t mind. After all, Ken was a good friend.
That night, Ken and I had a conversation that epitomized the spirit of common cause. It also epitomized the Beacon Sloop Club and the culture that surrounded Pete Seeger. Pete lived in Beacon, and the BSC was his local chapter of the Clearwater environmental organization.
Ken and I were both on our knees before the fireplace, strategically arranging logs. Here is my best approximation of the conversation that took place that night. Notice that all four “primal elements” were at play. I think they are a big part of why we didn’t fight.
Ken: So I see you still have that Obama sticker on your car.
Spook: Of course, I do. I love America.
Ken: So then why do you want to destroy it?
Spook: That’s a joke, right? After eight years of Bush?
Ken: Spook, can you grab that log that’s leaning against the wall? I put it there so it wouldn’t get mixed with the others.
Spook (grabbing the log): What kind of wood is this?
Ken: Birch. It burns fast and hot. Even when wet. It doesn’t produce much in coals, but it will get the hardwood going.
Spook: Can you help me lift this? It’s really heavy.
A few minutes later:
Spook: You do know your buddy W trashed the economy.
Ken: That was entirely Clinton’s fault.
Spook: Give me a break! Bush was the worst president in history.
Ken: Obama’s a socialist…
Spook: Hey, do you think we should put some birch bark in the cracks here to help get this fire started?
Ken: Yeah. I brought a pile from my personal stash just for that purpose.
Spook: Good thinking... So, you have to support Obama’s health care program, right?
Ken pulls a box of matches from his coat.
Ken: No, I don’t. It’s going to wreck the economy and destroy the whole health care system.
Spook: So, you’d rather see people go without health care?
Ken: I’d rather see people find jobs and pay their own way.
Spook: What jobs? Bush killed them all.
Ken: Let’s fire this puppy up!
Spook: Let’s!
I hold a thin strip of birch bark above the log cabin structure we built. Ken lights a match and holds it beneath. The bark quickly ignites, and I carefully place it within the “tower.” Ken then holds the match under other kindling.
Ken: We’ll get this place nice and warm before people start showing up.
Spook: Hey, I made that macaroni salad you like.
Ken: With carrots?
Spook: Yes.
Ken (holding a hand on his stomach): Good. I’m starving. And I made blueberry pie. I made a mini pie for you to take home.
Spook: No way! Let me put it in my car now before I forget.
Ken: And when you get back, let’s rehearse our song to open the meeting.
That was then.
~~~
And this is now…
CONCERT - JUNE 14TH, 5-7 PM
I am giving a concert titled, “The People, United!” It will include guest artists Michael Steinbruck, Sam Tunkel, and Dahlia Nelson & Friends. And it will be a fundraiser to help families under threat of deportation with groceries, rent, transportation, and money for medical supplies and legal support.
A LIGHT IN A DARK TIME
Let’s face it. These are dark times. But within each of us, and surrounding us throughout our community, is a tool for healing and community building: Song! Everybody is invited to join us for an intimate, heartwarming, uplifting afternoon of song.
“THE PEOPLE, UNITED!”
A Concert for Peace, Hope & Community
Sunday, June 14th, 5 – 7 pm
Reformed Church of Highland Park ~ 19 South 2nd Ave., Highland Park, NJ
Keep the Flame Alive!
Love this! Sorry to miss the concert