"Got to Start Someplace Baby:"' Youth, Rock and Roll, and Peace

by Sharon Froese Nielsen and Peggy MacDonald

During the long years of emerging vision is possibly the most powerful. cepted way of rebelling. Rock music is the adulthood, a variety of influences affect However it could surely be argued that basis of an entire set of sub-cultures. the development of one's attitudes. The music, especially rock and roll, is influen- There is much in rock music and rock content of what one learns during this tial in affecting socialization. Moreover, videos that can be regarded as having a process of socialization is very much af- the marriage of rock music and television, negative influence. There is, for instance, fected by one's culture and the time dur- in videos and MuchMusic, is undeniably violence in some lyrics and on some vid- ing which one grows up. an important aspect of the media to youth. eos. There is also a great deal of sexism, Youth in contemporary societies, de- There is much in rock music that in- both blatant and subtle. As well, some spite the differences of their various cul- fluences attitudes. Listeners are able to artists have trivialized important social tures, share theknowledge of the potential empathize with or fantasize about young issues - Madonna's "Papa Don't - and sometimes apparently inevitable love, young love gone wrong, and a myr- Preach" is an excellent example of the - destructive nature of nuclear weap- iad of "love"-related situations. The lyrics trivialization of the problem of teen preg- onry. While many of us have been born may focus on intimate relationships, for- nancy. since World War I1 and the discovery of mal relationships (with teachers, for in- However, there is a great deal that is atomic energy, many of us grew up in stance, or other authority figures), friend- positive to be found in contemporary rock more naive times. Escaping the effects of ships, young people, old people, getting music. There is a fairly recent re-emer- a nuclear detonation by hiding under married, not getting married, the work gence of music with politically conscious desks at school, curling up in the fetal place; in other words, on just about any- lyrics. Some rock music contains lyrics position on the street, moving into bomb thing or interest. that show an awareness and analysis of shelters, was once thought to be possible. Rock music functions in a variety of social problems, as well as apromotion of Today, young people no longer have the ways -as music to dance to; a means of social activism. Moreover, such music luxury of such naivetb. As Sharon's 15 expressing one's personal or social "type" has found its way into mainstream rock year-old niece calmly said, "We're going (for instance, preppies like one style of where it has the potential toreach massive to die of a disease or a nuclear bomb." music, rebels another, and so on); a means numbers of people. Billy Bragg, for in- The lifelong process by which one of communication with one's peers; a stance, has been popular on the fringes learns to become a functioning member of means of education; a way of excluding with his politically left-wing analyses of society - socialization - is primarily adults (especially parents); and an ac- issues, but he is now being aired on main- accomplished by four stream radio and even on agents, according to so- MuchMusic on televi- ciologist~.~Parents, the sion. Some of the most first agent of socializa- popular musicians, in tion, are important, hav- fact, address social is- ing the first input and sues in a serious and accomplishing this in a concerned fashion. relationship based on Paul Simon is one of both love and inequality. many musicians who School also has an influ- have discussed and ana- ence on people's atti- lyzed apartheid in their tudes, behaviour and the music. Racism has been like. One's peers, too, addressed by a variety of are crucial to the process artists including Bob of selfdiscovery. Marley, Parachute Club, Finally, the media in- Four the Moment,) and fluence the content of many others. Aretha one's socialization. Of Franklin and Annie Len- I the various media, t&- Billy Bryans and Lorraine Segato of Parachute Club Photo: Laurennt Aclend nox (of the Eurythmics). I

VOLUME 9, NUMBER 1 8 1 with "The Sisters Are Doin' It for Them- Sins album, discusses the "Storm Before It is interesting that many 'mature' art- selves," and Parachute Club (with their the Calm." Dire Straits' album Brothers ists are making such anti-nuclear state- rousing "Rise Up") are two of many in Arms is very much anti-war. (Inciden- ments. While U2 can be seen as avant groups in the mainstream of pop music tally, this band tended to focus on adult garde and focussing on youth, other artists who have examined sexism. The prob- markets but when this album was re- who are more established over the long- lems, as well as the joys inherent in being leased, with little fanfare as to the peace term are again socially active. Perhaps working class have been analyzed by and protest content, young people as well this re-awakening of groups who have for Bruce Springsteen in almost all of his as adults bought and loved it). The title years done traditional rock music has to exceedingly popular albums. Springsteen song talks about war and soldiering: do with their becoming parents and, as a has also discussed such issues as theprob- result, wanting to do something, reacting lems of early marriage due to pregnancy, These mist covered mountains as other parents do. For whateverreasons, the sadness of life lived in the past, the Are a home now for me political content in rock music is socially joys of driving, working, and so on. The But my home is the lowlands acceptable now. Payolas with Carole Pope do an incredi- And always will be While there is much rock music that ble job of describing contemporary rela- Someday you'll return to makes anti-nuclear or anti-war state- tionships in the song "Never Said I Loved Your valleys and your farms ments, there is much, too, that makes pro- You." The Matt Minglewood band's hit And you'll no longer burn peace statements. Years ago, of course, song, "Me and the Boys" recalls the frus- To be brothers in arms.' John Lennon recorded "Imagine." Cur- tration and wonder of growing up, as does rently, many popular artists are actively Bob Seger's "Night Moves." John Cou- The song concludes with Dire Straits pro-peace. Sting, for instance, recorded gar Mellancamp has addressed issues saying that, "We're fools to make war/On the song "Russians" on the Dream of the such as poverty in a rich society ("Down our brothers in arms."5 Blue Turtles album. It points out that both and Out in Paradise"), racism in terms of U2's extremely popular album Joshua Russians and Americans have children North American indigenous peoples Tree generally has an anti-war message, a and love them, so we should look after our ("Hotdogs and Hamburgers"), and even message that has been heard on previous planet and not engage in war. A similar middle-aged angst ("The Real Life")! albums as well. In "Sunday Bloody Sun- sentiment is expressed in "Ordinary Robbie Robertson's "Showdown at Big day" (which they deliberately premiered People" by the Box. Parachute Club has a Sky" on his new album also focuses on in Northern Ireland), U2 says: broad vision of peace, linking it to the racism. Suzanne Vega broke new ground eradication of homophobia, racism and with her popular hit "My Name is Luka," And the battle'sjust begun, sexism. a description of child abuse from the There's many lost, but tell me who Finally, rock music has been used by child's perspective. has won? the artists themselves for positive social A great deal of current rock music fo- The trenches dug within our hearts, change. There have been a variety of cuses on the issues of war and peace. And mother's children, brothers, concerts and albums with specific themes There is a broad spectrum of anti-war, sisters torn apart.6 to benefit particular groups of people. pro-peace analyses which may focus on This is one very positive aspect of rock specific confrontations such as those in Anti-nuclear messages are also found music -focussing it to do good in a large central America, or on making general in much rock music. Nina's "99 Red arena. A series of concerts and recordings anti-war statements, anti-nuclear and Balloons," which was extremely popular, focussed on Ethiopian famine relief; Bob anti-nuclear weapons statements. The discusses the possibility of nuclear war Geldof was instrumental in instigating the analyses range from the simplistic, such because of a silly accident (mistaking efforts. Band Aid, a group of predomi- as Boy George's "War is Stupid," to the balloons for missiles). Timbuk 3 made an nantly European artists, released "Do elegant and sophisticated, especially anti-nuclear statement in their hit "My They Know It's Christmas" in 1984. This U2's Joshua Tree album. Future's So Bright I've Got to Wear was followed rapidly by groups of Ameri- Central America is the focus of a great Shades." John Fogerty has taken an anti- can artists - USAfor Africa's "We Are deal of politically aware music. Bruce war position in his music and his piece, the World" - and Canadian artists - Cockburn, following his trip to Central "Eye of the Zombie," makes an anti-nu- Northern Lights' "Tears Are Not America, recorded much on this issue. In clear statement. As well, Luba's "Storm Enough." A "Live Aid" concert was sub- fact, his angry song, "If I Had a Rocket Before the Calm" can be interpreted as a sequently held simultaneously in Lon- Launcher," certainly demonstrates the discussion of nuclear war. Finally, there is don, England and Philadelphia. ability of rock lyrics to startle people into the No Nukes album recorded by a variety Other social issues have been ad- examining social issues. The Clash, too, of artists - Musicians United for Safe dressed and aided in this way. A Very have focussed on Central America with Energy (MUSE) - in a series of benefit Special Christmas album was released their album Sandinista. concerts in 1979. The focus of the group this year to aid the Special Olympics. There have been a variety of artists of musicians is a non-nuclear future. Such AIDS research was assisted with the re- making anti-war statements. Gino popular artists as The Doobie Brothers, lease of "That's What Friends Are For." Vanelli's "Time Out" from the Big Jackson Browne,Crosby, Stills andNash, The "Conspiracy of Hope" tour was a Dreams Never Sleep album is one such James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Tom benefit for Amnesty International and example. And Luba, on her Secrets and Petty and many others contributed. featured such big name artists as Bryan

CANADIAN WOMAN STUDIESLES CAHIERS DE LA FEMME Adams, U2, Joan Baez, and Sting among others. Artists United Against Apartheid released a benefit album. There is, clearly, much social aware- Women Working for Peace: ness in rock music today. It is now so- Reclaiming the Imagination cially acceptable to be "political" in one's music and many artists are promoting peace whether this is personal peace, communal, regional, or global. Rock by Rosemary Sullivan music also features anti-war commen- tary, concern over confrontations in Cen- tral America and South Africa, anti-nu- clear (weapons) sentiments. And it is I am a woman working for peace. I first tures that locate knowledge and power using its very special appeal to do some identified myself in this way five years outside of ourselves, where objective social good. ago. Before that I had been a teacher, a knowledge is king and the number of It is plausible to believe that this surfeit mother, a psychosynthesist, an adult edu- missiles, the fortress to protect us from of social awareness, concern, analysis, cator working in women's studies and a "the enemy." The focus of my work is to and action will affect those who listen. pastoral animator (spiritual counsellor) at value imagination and intuition in an Rock music is an integral aspect of young the college level in the QuCbec CEGEP organic, self-directedprocess of develop- people's lives and has the potential to system, offering workshops in self aware- ing mind, voice, and self, the whole per- affect the content of their socialization. In nesslself expression, organizing son.' With each step I now take I continue this way, then contemporary rock music women's networks, lobbying for more that pilgrimage in creating alternative has the potential to influence young services and opportunities for women in structures which support myself and oth- people in making them aware of social the social services, in education, in the ers to learn and live for peace. issues, helping them analyze them, and Church. In 1982, after seeing the NFB Educating for peace: how do I do this? showing them ways to act. If we wish film with Dr. Helen CaldicottIfYou Love I design every workshop or class - re- youth to learn about war and peace, we've This Planet, I undertook a personal spiri- gardless of content or issues - so that I "got to start someplace." Rock music tual pilgrimage. At age 42, I walked from begin by offering participants the oppor- seems to be a good place. my home in Pigeon Hill, Quebec, one tunity to get in touch with themselves, hour south of MontrQl, to the United their needs, what they want to learn, what 'Bob Dylan, "Something's Burning, Baby," Nations in New York City for the June 12 they already 'know,' subjective knowing Empire Burlesque, 1985. Disarmament Rally. I wanted to be with that comes from life experience, what 2RobertHagedom, ed., Sociology (Toronto: the hundreds of thousands of others gath- images they are carrying inside of them- Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1983). Seconded. ering there from all over the world. I selves. I begin with imagery. Images give 3Four the Moment is a Halifax-based needed to walk the 400 miles alone, 22 us the opportunity to speak in concrete acapella group of four black women whose days, one step after another, touching the ways about our inner knowing, our sub- music focuses onracism an4 mostrecently, on earth. jective life experience, that experience the experience of black women in Nova Sco- This journey was my own crisis of which has been pushed to the underside, tia. They have just recorded an album which is available in women's bookstores (as of Febru- imagination. I felt that so much was so which has been undervalued and hidden ary 1988) or from 2650 Fuller Terrace, Hal- hombly wrong in the world. I doubted all in our educational, healthcare, "national ifax, B3K 3V7. the effort I had made in the past. I needed defense" systems. a new vision for my own future, as well as Sometimes1start with images cut out of 4Dire Straits, "Brothers in Arms." Brothers in Arms. 1985. for the future of the planet. magazines piled in the centre of the circle My vision of peace, personal whole- ofparticipants. We then use our hands and 5Dire Straits, "Brothers in Arms." ness and social change is facilitated when eyes to find an image, a color, a shape, a people are able to share themselves with symbol that speaks about 'peacemaking' W2, "Sunday Bloody Sunday." War, 1983. others in cooperative inter-connecting to us, speaks for us. This is how Lanie Sharon Froese Nielsen, an adopted structures based on Earth's own organic Melamed2and I began our workshop at Cape Bretoner, is working on her PhD. in regenerative life process; when individu- the Fate of the Earth Conference in 1986, Sociology. Living with her seafaring als are allowed to value and trust their "From the Underside: Women's Process husband and her cat, she has held a vari- inner knowing; when people support each of Peacemaking." We went around and ety of jobs and is still a rock and roller. other to discover new visions and create behind the words. There was no demand new models for learning and growth. Our to put our knowing into concepts that present society is made up of structures would immediately make sense to others. Peggy MacDonald, born in Sydney, is a based on competition, hierarchy and We started by letting ourselves discover newscasterlreporter at the radio station control through "power over." The goal- the knowing that comes from our subjec- CJCB. She is the former rock columnist directed search for global security and tive experience. We used the images to for the Halifax Chronicle Herald and is personal growth separates us from each introduce ourselves, to say why we were still a rock and roller. other when it is contained by linear struc- there in that particular workshop on

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