PATTI HARRIS (2)

She still believes

October 19 2001 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

note:

Holly Near sings with the Windsong womens chorus in her October 13 Cleveland concert.

Working for world peace is the best source of security, says Holly Near

by Doreen Cudnik

If you're a lesbian over 35, chances are you have a Holly Near album or two, or more in your collection of memories.

Chances are that it is well-worn, a familiar friend, like that favorite pair of Levis that you can't quite fit into any more, but you hang onto anyway because they remind you of the first anti-war or pro-choice rally you attended as a wide-eyed college freshman. If you're a lesbian, chances are that you've seen Near perform year after year at women's music festivals. Chances are you know all the words to the songs that gave you the courage to come out.

For people of all ages, races, ethnicities and sexual orientations, it is not a stretch to say that Holly Near has achieved legendary status. A singer, songwriter and peace activist since the early seventies, Near has performed her music around the world, and has lent her name and talent to many worthwhile causes, from AIDS research to opposition to the death penalty to, currently, a call for calm to prevail in this time of trial for our country.

Near's musical roots were watered by folk legends like Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger and Paul Simon, but also by women like Judy Garland and Mahalia Jackson. She helped establish "women's music" when there was no such thing as women writing, producing and performing songs for women, about women's experiences.

Along with Cris Williamson, Linda Tillery, Ronnie Gilbert, Ferron, Bernice Johnson Reagon of Sweet Honey in the Rock, and many others, Near had a large part in creating a genre, and gave music lovers a glimpse at what the world might look like if only we would commit ourselves to the ideals of peace, justice and equality for all people. As a result, Near is firmly established as one of the nation's finest political artists.

It's no surprise that the events that changed our world on September 11 have been very much on Near's heart this past month. As always, she remains staunchly committed to peace and justice.

"I think working for world peace is actually the best source of security we can offer now,”Near said. “I have always believed and continue to believe that there is a higher ground offered to human beings. We are the only planet we know of with life on it like

ours and we have a huge opportunity to work with this life. All through history, brave and courageous people have stepped up to that higher ground. I see people in our nation really trying. In one town we were in there were signs in homes and businesses that said, 'This is a hate-free community. No racist attacks.' It was beautiful.”

Near recognizes that these are trying times for many in the gay community, since, she says, so many of our tribe works in the airline industry and the military. She opines about the attacks on the World Trade Center in a piece on her web site titled "WTC-I Still Believe" (www.hollynear.com). It is a moving essay, much like so many of the lyrics she has penned over the years. In it, Near says she does not want her safety to "come from bombing a village" and she calls upon "culturally informed world negotiators, facilitators, mediators and artists to lay the ground work for trust, civility, and peace."

"And if our leaders do not know how to take this path," Near writes, "then we, the people, have the historical and constitutional right to do so. It is not a stand against one's country to take a vigilant stand for peace."

Near's three Ohio appearanceson October 13 in Cleveland, October 14 in Dayton and October 15 in Columbus-came on the heels of National Coming Out Day (October 11). Much has changed since she came out in the mid-seventies, she said, but it's always important to welcome others into a safe, nurturing LGBT community.

"I try to keep singing and talking about coming out. I feel it is very stressful for people to live secrets," Near said. "Even with as much middle-of-the-road attention to gay issues, which is quite different than when I came out in the mid seventies, there are still people who live in fear, in shadows, and feel alone. I try to encourage people to look around and see who who doesn't feel part of a community, whether a community or a gay community. whatever, and invite them to a concert. There is something so powerful about looking around and seeing that you are not alone.

peace

No matter what lives we live, Near said, it is important to recognize that we all have a "global component.

""

"This is a good time to think as a world citizen. We need each other and for as long as there is such a discrepancy of who has and who doesn't, and I don't mean just money

I mean access to ideas and love and decency and respect and food and shelter. . . then there will be war in the air. Each little thing we do for the good can alter the outcome. It is hard to believe that, but it is true. All the little things add up and the world shifts."

Holly Near