Perspectives on Positive Culture
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Perspectives on Positive Culture NEWSLETTER #3 OCTOBER 2004 Introduction In a year darkened by the negative dynamics of our po- The support of such cultures has also been a guiding prin- larized culture and politics, Rex searched for a positive ciple of the Rex Foundation’s 20 years of grant giving. So theme for the Newsletter. While attending the Oregon this year, anniversary years for both Rex and the Fair, we Country Fair’s 35th Anniversary, the editors kept hear- interviewed their former directors, Danny Rifkin and Rob- ing that it was the quintessential gathering of the coun- ert DeSpain. It is interesting to note that the stories they terculture. This stimulated us to think that it would be tell are modalities of the chords that were struck in our more engaging to articulate what the Fair “is” rather than last newsletter, on Community Engagement: radical opti- that to which it might be “counter.” Thus emerged our mism and intentional community. We hope that other mo- theme, positive culture, for it is the essential attribute of dalities of positive culture will continue to evolve in the Fair, plain as day for all to see. Rex’s wider philanthropic community. The Oregon Country Fair he late Bill Wooten, a founder of the Oregon Coun- Trail. And we had our resident cultural icon and folk hero, Ken try Fair, reflected on its roots some years ago, and Kesey, who drew many, many more. Many of these political Ton the occasion of the Fair’s 35th anniversary his and cultural refugees converged in Eugene, and found their thoughts were reprinted in The Peach Pit, the 2004 Oregon way to the Odyssey Coffee House, owned by my wife Cynthia Country Fair guide: The decade of the 60’s was a time of great and me. It was our belief that the movements for change had to moral awakening for the people of the United States; the civil institutionalize themselves economically if a new grassroots rights movement, opposition to the Viet Nam war, the anti- politics was to survive and thrive. This meant learning to feed, nuclear and environmental movements, and the struggle for clothe, house, educate and employ ourselves. A Free University women’s rights, all coalesced during that time…Oregon func- offered courses in carpentry, gardening, sewing and metal work- tioned in the late 60’s as a de facto sanctuary for refugees from ing. Food co-ops, tree planting co-ops began, as did a Craftsman’s the repression and reprisal against anti-war protestors occur- Guild. Then came a fundraiser for an alternative school, and in ring elsewhere. It was a 20th century version of the Oregon the fall of 1969, the Oregon Country Fair was born. Continued on Page 3 1 [Culture] has to be where it arises, or everything related to the life there ceases. It isn’t a thing, it’s an act. If it stands still, it is dead. It is the realization of the qualities of a place in relation to the life which occupies it; embracing everything involved, climate, geographic Fostering the Power position, relative size, history, other cultures – as well as the character of Community, Service of its sands, flowers, minerals and the condition of knowledge within and the Arts its borders. It is the act of lifting those things into an ordered and utilized whole which is culture. It isn’t something left over afterward. BOARD OF DIRECTORS That is the record only. The act is the thing. It can’t be escaped or Bob Weir avoided if life is to go on. It is in the fullest sense that which is fit. Cameron Sears – William Carlos Williams “The American Background” 1934 Sage Scully John Scher Cliff Palefsky Editorial Note Nick Morgan Roger McNamee This summer’s vacation was an object lesson for me about grassroots human potential, John Leopold as much as it was a beautiful driving trip through the Pacific Northwest. Michael Klein Rosalie Howarth Our first stop was the Oregon Country Fair. Having heard many accolades about the Mickey Hart Fair from Alan Trist and others in the Rex/Grateful Dead world, I was determined to Freddie Hahne see for myself. The Fair was a sensory delight as described in our interview with Laura Carolyn Garcia Barry Caplan Stuart and Robert DeSpain. I had the feeling I was in the middle of the song Scarlet Larry Brilliant Begonias, with “strangers stopping strangers, just to shake their hands.” Diane Blagman Leaving Eugene with feelings of renewed spirit and exhilaration, we headed for the Bill Graham (1984 – d.1991) Olympic Peninsula in Washington. We explored the Olympic Rainforest from several Jerry Garcia (1984 – d.1995) directions, taking in the awesome beauty and complexity of this area’s ecosystems. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR In British Columbia, staying at a working organic farm run by Michael Abelman, we Sandy Sohcot heard stories about his longtime work to connect people with the soil, the food they eat and the importance of sustainable agriculture. We observed Michael farming long hours, ADVISORY BOARD Bill Walton taking his gorgeous and delicious vegetables to the Saturday market, and then working Danny Rifkin on his book about farmers all over the country who are demonstrating the human re- Jon McIntire sourcefulness and resiliency to successfully maintain their smaller, local farms. Bernie Bildman John Perry Barlow In Tofino at the southwest end of Vancouver Island we kayaked to Meere’s Island, a sanctuary for some of the oldest trees in Canada. Our guides described a major civil EMERITUS – Hal Kant disobedience effort of over 850 people to stop a lumber company from clear cutting the island. We saw the 1,300 year-old cedar tree that might have been felled. I have a pair of The Rex Foundation is silver earrings carved by Tofino resident Ralph Burgess, born to a First Nations tribe of named after Rex Jackson, northern Canada. Ralph had to learn about his ancestry as an adult, having been taken a Grateful Dead roadie from his family at an early age to attend a Canadian-sanctioned church school. and later road manager until his untimely death in 1976 All of these experiences seemed connected at many levels. I witnessed the power of individuals to create successful community-oriented enterprises together, to protect the environment, and to cherish the importance of their cultural identity. I felt I was also NEWSLETTER EDITED BY seeing firsthand the spectrum of activities the Rex Foundation has been supporting Sandy Sohcot & Alan Trist these last 20 years, and that these activities demonstrate the power of positive culture. ASSISTED BY With our upcoming election we have the opportunity to consider the leadership we Chris Meharg & Mike Sevik seek to guide our country and influence the international community. We might want REX FOUNDATION to pick up on what Peter Coyote described in our last newsletter when he referred to P.O. Box 29608 radical optimism – that outcomes are unknown (e.g. of this election). Therefore, our San Francisco, CA 94129 power to vote, to encourage others to do so and to trust in the overriding desire for (415) 561-3134 truth, justice and fairness of We the People, has great significance. www.rexfoundation.org So, here’s what I learned from my summer vacation: that many of us are engaged in CONTACT REX positive culture, that we have tremendous potential, particularly when we connect with We encourage your tax-free donations each other, and that, together, we can create a healthy, sustainable, and equitable world. Federal ID # 68 0033257 – Sandy Sohcot 2 The Oregon Country Fair, cont. from page 1 he Oregon Country Fair (OCF) takes place over a and 18,000 fairgoers, mostly from the West Coast. In 2004, long weekend each July, in a wooded setting along there were 15 stages, 3,000 volunteers and 50,000 fairgoers, T the Long Tom River, about 15 miles outside of Eu- coming from all parts of the U.S. and other countries in- gene. As a fairgoer one is treated to miles of pathways cluding Japan, Norway, the Netherlands and Australia. lined with artfully decorated vendor stalls, stages, re- Clearly the Oregon Country Fair is a resounding success. cesses, gathering places, open meadows, and sanctuar- What is drawing these tens of thousands of people to the ies, offering handmade crafts, food, information, perfor- Fair each year, in increasing numbers and distance trav- mances, parades of clowns, jugglers, stilt walkers and eled? What does it take to create this type of experience? marching bands, costumed artisans, art pieces in unex- With their experience at OCF, and current projects that pected places, and thousands of fellow fairgoers, color- extend form it, Laura and Robert provided us with a per- fully dressed, or sometimes, just colorfully painted. There spective to answer these questions, and also provoked is a sense of safety and well-being: all details – parking, ideas about the implications of the Fair’s avowedly posi- sanitation, signage, security – are accounted for and car- tive culture for our global community. ried out with warmth, competence and a spirited, joyful attitude. Everyone is earnestly doing all they can to be a Robert says Fair time means reunion, happiness, inclusive- positive addition to the scene. ness, celebration of diversity, experience of the fair world, not the un-fair world – a ripe and most fertile opportunity Laura Stuart was 19 when she first went to the Fair 32 for new connections and networking. He believes that years ago. Robert DeSpain’s first Fair experience was in people are now coming to and returning to the Fair from 1979, and between 1980 and 1982, he served on the Fair’s all over the world because they’re experiencing the social Fundraising Committee, Land Search Committee, ran for and psycho-spiritual rejuvenation that generates more Secretary of the Board and was overall coordinator of the than happiness.