Soulfire4theGulf and The Miracle

(Crosspost, Roundtree7.com)

In just a few days, we will arrive at the two year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon disaster that contaminated the oceans in subtle, unrecognized ways for generations to come.  Even though this planet, our Mother Earth, will continue to perk along long despite humanity's effort to commit species-wide suicide, the planet could still use our help.

When we look at the sociopolitical situation - globally, locally and nationally - there is plenty of reason to despair.  In my view, George Carlin continues to provide the most accurate assessment of our situation when we are trapped by the ways of the world.  Lots and lots of people confuse the Ways of the World with Human Nature.  There is nothing at all natural about the Ways of the World.  Those individuals who have successfully stomped the earth and her people into submission have never once valued the natural cycles of the seasons or the beauty of the human spirit.  Daniel Quinn, in his novel Ishmael, calls these people the Takers.  Certainly the Takers dictate and dominate the Ways of the World.  Dick Cheney and Rupert Murdoch come to mind, and then there's dear old Tony Hayward who lamented in May, 2010:

We’re sorry for the massive disruption it’s caused their lives. There’s no one who wants this over more than I do. I would like my life back  (Think Progress, 5.31.10).  

See for yourself:


Two years have passed since the explosion that killed 11 workers and continues to pollute the ecosystem with the ongoing use of the dispersant Corexit used by The Corporation and the hired thugs in Congress to perpetrate the myth that there is nothing wrong with the Gulf.

Activists like Cherri Foytlin (Voices of the Gulf) have worked tirelessly since the early days of the crisis to speak truth to power and inform the public about the direct impact the explosion had on the health and general welfare of the community.  We could say local community or the area - but the impact is so widespread that the community of the entire planet has been jeopardized.  Sadly, the incident in the Gulf is not the only example of the damage done by Corporations to the planet.  We can look at Monsanto and the food chain, Fracking and the water supply, or Health Insurance Companies who define the conversation about health care in America - because really, all Congress and the President ever talk about is what kind of insurance we're going to have and how We the People can pay for that insurance as if buying into a crappy HMO somehow equals health care.

Occupy Wall Street took to the streets last fall focusing new attention on issues that hundreds and hundreds of dedicated, determined activists have been working on for decades.  Although it's clear that our political and economic system needs to change - and that none of the Owners ever gave workers our rights unless we demanded them - confrontational demonstration can often be divisive because passions run high and there's a lot of Ego involved when people are trying to prove a point.  Osori addresses this internal division in his story Aztlan and Death in the Desert and May Day Occupiers.  Some Occupiers in Oakland and around the county - whom I choose to label Adolescent Suburban Anarchists due to their one-dimensional, egocentric way of expressing their opinions - have been very dismissive of people of color and immigrants who fear deportation.  We should be able to reach a consensus and stand together as a community.  When self-absorbed voices shout down legitimate concerns raised by sensible people, we are divided against ourselves.  There was a similar situation involving members of the drum circle in Zuccotti Park.

So between the entrenched greed of the Owners and the egocentric foolishness among those who could be demonstrating together in solidarity - as well as the overwhelming number of single issues all crying to be addressed - we clearly need a Miracle.

Dr. John, a musician who has been called, "the living embodiment of the rich musical heritage exclusive to New Orleans," has partnered with Mz Imani and Turtle Women Rising, a ceremonial drum collective founded and led by indigenous women, to get working on this miracle.

The party starts at 8:00am on April 16 when the Krewe of YOU comes together in Mandeville, Louisiana at Fountainbleau State Park.  The ceremony culminates on 4/20 with an All Nations Drum Circle in Congo Square from 1:00 - 4:00, and at 4:20 on 4/20, there's a procession to somewhere.  I'm not sure if they're going out to the ceremonial fire in Mandeville or what.  I just know it's 4:20 on 4/20 and that's got to be a good thing.

Here's your invitation:



For all of us who have heard this call, but can't be in New Orleans right this minute, there are Satellite Circles and Synchronized Ceremonies all over the country - or you can totally have your own circle near the water where ever you are.   I heard about Soulfire4theGulf through Gwendolyn Holden Barry's blogtalk show Here Be Monsters.  Thursday nights focus on the Global Consciousness Shift, and Mz Imani was on talking about standing FOR the earth and peace.  That resonated for me because all this fighting and protesting wears me out.  Plenty of people get off on "debating" about capitalism vs. socialism, atheism vs theisms of all sorts, and other topics bent on deconstructing vocabulary words for their own intellectual entertainment.  That's all well and good if it makes them happy, and I'm all about people doing whatever they need to do to be happy.

While they're all busy shouting and fussing and trying to convince everybody that they are RIGHT, I'll be out somewhere near the water here in New York City with Nicole Tomassini.  We'll be drinking and beating little drums somewhere where the cops aren't looking - like maybe the 79th Street boat basin.  I wasn't aware until this morning that Imani put our little solidarity gathering up on the Soulfire4theGulf website - but we're up there with Gwendolyn Holden Barry in Lake Worth, Florida and a bunch of other folks having solidarity gatherings.  I don't know what we're doing, but we're doing it at 4:20 on 4/20. Here's a link for information  http://www.soulfirecircles.com/soulfire4thegulf/solidarity-gatherings/

Maybe the Miracle this planet needs has nothing to do with changing The Owners.  It's pretty clear nothing is going to change those people.  It could be that when we all stand together, unified in a call for peace, sustainability and community - that's the Miracle.  As that Miracle spreads around the world, from one little point of light to another, the consciousness shifts.

You are all officially invited to join us.
When Dr. John sends out a call, the more the merrier - that's guaranteed.