Mission
The
Project:
Protest Music As Responsible Citizenship
(September 10-11, 2003), focuses on how music helps to construct
the political consciousness of a nation, how songs mobilize
thousands of people around issues affecting American life,
and how music addresses the role of America in the global
context. The event and conversation brings together Harry
Belafonte, Holly Near, Bernice Johnson Reagon, and Pete Seeger,
four musicians who have played key public roles in the past
decades. Issues of citizenship, music, and social change take
on increasing significance in this time of increasing polarization
both at home and globally. Music and social change have been
documented through autobiographies and biographies of performers,
ethnographic studies of music and cultural performance, and
ethnomusicology research on music and revolution. However,
little has been documented about the role of public music
performances in shaping citizen responses to political events.
The musicians
participating in the event and conversation--Harry Belafonte,
Holly Near, Bernice Johnson Reagon, and Pete Seeger--have
challenged the public to consider issues of national security
and responsible citizenship. Through their songs, stories,
and actions, these musicians have enacted their citizenship
by voicing a challenging call. They have risked their careers
and their lives to voice dissent. Protest Music as Responsible
Citizenship explores how protest music and protest
itself can be considered responsible citizenship.
Over
a two-day period, the invited musicians will participate in
a series of conversations moderated by Dr. Amy Horowitz and
Dr. James Early. Topics as well as specific questions will
be formulated by the participants and by faculty and community
focus groups led by Professor Richard Herrmann (Director of
the Mershon Center), Professor Amy Shuman, (Director of the
Center for Folklore Studies) and Professor Jacqueline Royster
(Interim Dean of the College of Humanities). The project is
directed by Dr. Amy Horowitz (Director, Roadwork: Center for
Cultures in Disputed Territory). The event is sponsored by
The Mershon Center in conjunction with The Center for Folklore
Studies and Roadwork: Center for Cultures in Disputed Territory.
The Plan:
The evening session will include a small studio audience comprised
of community activists, artists, and OSU faculty and students.
The theme will be the impact of music on public policy, citizenship,
and social change. The musicians will provide songs and stories
that illustrate this theme. A key component of this event
is documentary; all sessions will be recorded by a professional
video team. The footage will form the basis of an educational
documentary video.
Participants:
Musicians: Pete Seeger, Holly Near, Harry Belafonte
Scholar/Musician: Bernice Johnson Reagon (Ph.D., History,
American University, Emeritus)
Moderators: Amy Horowitz (Director, Roadwork: Center for Culture
in Disputed Territory, Mershon Center fellow) and James Early
(Director of Cultural Policy, Smithsonian Institution Center
for Folklife and Cultural Heritage)
O.S.U. faculty: Rick Herrmann (political science, Director,
Mershon Center), Amy Shuman (English, Director, Center for
Folklore Studies), John Mueller (Political Science, Mershon
Center), Ken Goings (Chair, African and African American Studies),
John Powell (Director, Race and Ethnicities in the Americas),
Jacqueline Royster (Interim Dean, College of Humanities),
Mac Stewart (Vice Provost for Minority Affairs), Kevin Boyle
(History)
Tentative
Schedule for September 10-11, 2003
September
10
9:00a– 10:00a Breakfast
10:00a – 12:00p Session 1
12:00p – 1:30p Lunch
1:30p – 4:00p Session 2 and soundcheck for evening conversation
4:00p – 5:00p Break
5:00p – 6:30p Dinner
6:30p – 7:30p Break
7:30p – 8:30p Conversations with invited audience
8:30p – 9:30p Reception
September
11
9:00a – 10:00a Breakfast
10:00a – 12:00p Session 3
12:00p – 2:00p Lunch and Summary
PROTEST
MUSIC AS RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP TEAM
Project
Conceived and Directed by:
Amy Horowitz: Director, Roadwork, Center for Cultures in Disputed
Territory and Mershon Fellow
with:
Richard Herrmann: Director, The Mershon Center
Amy Shuman: Director, The Center for Folklore Studies
James Early: Director of Cultural Policy, Smithsonian Institution
Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
O.S.U.
Focus Group:
Kevin Boyle (History)
Ken Goings (Chair, African and African American Studies)
John Mueller (Political science, Mershon Center)
John Powell (Director, Race and Ethnicities in the Americas)
Jacqueline Royster (Interim Dean, College of Humanities)
Mac Stewart (Vice Provost for Minority Affairs)
Event
Production Group:
Michael Moraine
Elisabeth Nixon
Beth Russell
Julie Rowjeski
Barbara Lloyd
Nancy Yan
Paul Kotheimer
Website Design:
Abhijit Varde
Video
Team:
Helen Cohen
Mark Lippman
Mike Van Does
Sos Productions
Julia Reichert
Dan Boord
Florence Minnis
Southern
Theatre Team:
Greg Bryan
Gretchen Miraglia
Mike Riley
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