Frank, I must be "channeling" you now, because you just wrote pretty much what I would write back to you-- all the ideas, and most of the words. I would add, personally, that I think you and I did something good here, in the exchanges we have had. I don;t care too much whether it benefits Mudcat-- not an expectation-- but I am very much aware how it is already benfiting my relationships, ideas, and action outside of this community of people.

BTW our music circle is on hiatus these days-- long story-- but we still incorporate what we can into our Saturday Night Service activities. In June I will lead a Spirituals teaching workshop for some pretty staid Episcopalians (many of whom will be church musicians). I plan to turn them loose on dot-free singing and textual improvisation. :~)

A place you might want to look for models of peaceful change is here: www.rc.org (Not "the" RC Church), in their materials and theory around eliminating racism which extend into eliminating all "isms."

Happy Holidays, and WELL MET,

~Susan