But, I want to tell you about someone who is, and has been for most of his 93-year lifetime. He is, without any doubt or reservation, a true American treasure.
His name is Pete Seeger. You may have seen him at the last Presidential Inauguration, singing a song written by his old friend and mentor, Woody Guthrie. A little ditty we all learned in grade school - This Land is Your Land (the original title was God Blessed America for Me, but that's another story).
He was involved in union organizing, war protesting, peace marching, and countless other causes great and small. From international peace gatherings, to cleaning up the Hudson River, to a thousand benefit concerts to aid this or that cause. He's written songs that you've probably heard all your life - If I Had A Hammer, Kisses Sweeter Than Wine and Turn, Turn, Turn. He has an endless repertoire of songs at the ready. I heard him sit through a jam session for several hours, and he knew EVERY song someone wanted to play. I've also seen him enrapture a crowd of several thousand, just one man and a banjo, alone on the stage.
Astonishing as his musical talents may be, they're not the reason that I consider him a true hero.
Over half a century ago, when he was called in front of the House Unamerican Activities Committee (how's that for an oxymoron?), he didn't claim the Fifth Amendment. And, he didn't sell out his friends and colleagues. The way that HUAC worked, you either had to admit to being a communist, or you had to name everyone you ever knew who "might be" a communist. To call it a witch hunt would be far too polite.
When Pete Seeger was called up, he claimed the First Amendment (freedom of speech) and said that Congress didn't even have the right to ask him these questions. Here's the transcript of his testimony.
Learn about HUAC and read the transcript. It's IMPORTANT and it is NOT taught in our schools.
What did he get in return? He was blacklisted, and his musical group, The Weavers was dropped by Decca Records, despite having several chart-topping hits. He couldn't find a job anywhere. Nobody would touch him, especially after he was charged with contempt of Congress.
So what did he do? He rolled up his sleeves, packed up his banjo, and hit the road again - singing about peace and understanding and social justice. He just about single-handedly started the folk music revival of the late 50's and 60's. Literally hundreds of musical groups and vocal artists were born from that deep well of social relevance and activism. From the Kingston Trio to Joan Baez to Peter, Paul and Mary - all owe a deep and lasting gratitude to this one man's courage and legacy.
I could go on for hours and days, but there is one true thing that I can say from the heart. As I've grown older, had kids, grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren I have become wiser, more jaded, less optimistic. Even so, there are only two heroes left in my eyes - two people that I aspire to be more like.
Jesus Christ...
...and Pete Seeger
Now - finally - Pete is being nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. I can think of no other living person more deserving of this honor. If you agree, please cast your vote by visiting THIS LINK. And pass it on.
Don't sit around and do nothing. Heaven knows I do enough of that for both of us. Make a difference.
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