How Missoula Became the Center of the World?

            Nothing is new to talk about « USA » as a « melting pot », probably one main reason of its power. In June, Kate Ferrara, a young woman from what they call “Middle-West” came to me and asked where I am from. She told me she knew about Idi Amin Dada and some Ugandan history. I was astonished, but when she introduced me in her little office at the University of Montana, I understood a bit. Through her job, young boys and girls, from different counties of Montana, spend their summer time at the University of Montana. They experience the university’s life, make friends, learn about their country, exchange their experiences, etc. This area helps them to break frontiers. I had experienced AICHI to see how to create harmony in the world, but that event was as huge that it was impossible to see behind the people’s faces. Finally, “Bringing the World a Little Closer…Through Music”, “that could be performed everywhere”, I dreamt. Sixteen choirs gathered and performed  in Missoula from July 17th to 20th, 2013. That even is more than capacity of organization, marketing and business, culture exchanging, music or diplomacy. It’s all about “Honor and cultural legacy in the world”, as Steve Bullock said.

Estonia

Look, they came from Melbourne, they were Bach Children Chorus, Coastal Sound Youth, Kokopelli (both Canadians); Meng Girls, Costa-Rica El Café, Estonia El Stuudio Girls, Finland Academic Students-Pedavoces-, the Junges Vokalensemble Hannover-Germany-, the Chamber Choir of Feliks Nowowiejski Academy-Poland-, the Ewha Chamber Choir-South Korea-, the Bundner Jugendchor-Switzerland-, the Formosa Singers, the Californian WomenSing, the Kansas Lawrence Children’s choir and the New Jersey ChildrenSong.

             “Hospitality”, did John Engen insisted in his public letter. It’s more than capability to host 16 choirs (let’s say 15 from out Missoula), each countering more or less thirty people, boys and girls. It calls community involvement. And when the master of ceremonies, that final spectacle said “Let’s first thank all the host families that may be in this hall”, we all stood up for respectful praising to those tens of families. I understood that it might have been more than volunteering. It’s all about learning and traveling to China, Estonia, Kansas, etc., without paying any ticket. 

          “If some are fan of mobile phone, you should enjoy Nokia from our visitors’ country today, Finland”, said the MC. And they elegantly climbed the stairs to the scene. They had the Finland flag fixed somewhere in front of us, beside the Estonia from where, I personally didn’t know “Skype came from”, or that “music played a great role in that country’s political revolution.” The Governor of Montana had delivered, “Enjoy the treasures of downtown Missoula, the landscapes under the Big Sky” and companies, factories and alike had involved as “That’s why we give back.” North Western Energy, one of the main sponsors highlighted with pride “We support schools, sports, culture, service organizations and energy assistance foundation.” Very touching for me, who had faced this big deal of getting sponsorship from businesses, even for people in danger, not only for recreational events. Is Regideso giving any sponsorship for this kind of events? I don’t think so, but that’s not Missoula.  

China

         The real “Friendship Force is a private, non-profit citizen exchange”, did I read somewhere even before this festival. Reading me, don’t go back to historical events. Just see these young and artistically dressed South-Koreans discovering Missoula again, place some of them have been ten years ago, for this same festival: “Applauses» in Adams center. There, I understood why Dr Sandra couldn’t miss this kind of International event. She was just seating in front of Burundian and Taiwanese, between South-Koreans and Algerian. Towards the end, she had been joined by Brazilian and Haitian. Kathleen R. Kimble of the Missoulian, just introduced to Sandra, she was so excited to discuss about international students she is hosting. Back to Pantzer Hall, the first person I met was that young african who is working with Deena  Mansour, a humble woman I had met some times ago. And I had witnessed how this she and colleagues are also involved in international education. They might help hosting next year’s Humphrey Fellows with ELI, if some were sent to the University of Montana, why not? Already, we learned from the eminent Otto Koester. Yes, it’s all about diplomacy and internationalship. Politicians? Most of them don’t even know what happened in Missoula. Really! Did any authority of my region, knows about the Californian women singing in Kiswahili “woman wake up”? Heidel repeated enough, “What a privilege”. By the time I am sharing this, Sandra sent me some ideas: the ideas of how 7 billion (video) can live in peace!

         Parade of nations”. I think everyone gets goose bumps when any national anthem flows out. This was the style with David Edmonds, before Heidel  suggested everyone to sing in own language the “Auld Lang Syne”. Oh my goodness, when did these people rehearsed it? “And see you in three years”, concluded Kathleen R. Kimble. Ferrara, K. had told me that in America, probably everywhere in the world, “Universities are becoming the best place to democracy”, that’s may be the meaning of the final concert at Adams center. This festival started at this university, proved Terry Conrad’s pride, “Since 27 years, Missoula has been hosting this event.”

Canada

Remember, I mentioned this culture legacy through the world. And everyone witnessed this experience. This David Edmonds leading everyone’s mix sound, and live. From the all races Canadian choirs’ singers to the Taiwanese applauding Chinese – despite political discomfort-, etc., a real “

Once outside, an old man in black suite called his friend: “You’re lucky man to see this again”. I replied, “I am too”, though I was not concerned (I like to joke with people), and the old man laughed. I kept on running to get my last Saturday pizza-in Missoula-, crossing the Clark Fork River, starring to an aircraft far in the sky and remembering  what Sandra told me, the day before: “Now, you have to think about Olga.”

Audace Machado

USA 4th of July, is everyone cerebrating?

Gary Sinise / Lieut. Dan

July 4th, 2013! That was my first time to witness how they do. On internet, everyone can find its meaning. Sure. Just three days ago, Paul Kagame and Uhuru Kenyatta had joined Burundians for the Independence Day. But what may it still mean, especially that US? I spent the whole day at Arlee. No way to see late Arlee! What a stupid idea! Not as “stupid as stupid do”, because when the master of ceremony said, “Let’s remember our ancestors”, I then asked to Allyson Kellum who was just beside me, “do we get off the hut?” That was during powwow: very interesting as I said some days ago. Then, after Ariel Barrett had our ticket to the Rodeo! Yes, I sow that cowgirl! That was my first time to see that, live! I then asked to  Andres Perez , “Is really the world serious?” He said, “What?” I replied “La corrida!” He laughed as he knows the song. (…) In the night, I went down to watch TV when others climbed “M” to watch the fireworks: on Fox news, the debate was all about “Data: when our secret is out!” Another one was “They come to America!” Very interesting title, this last one! Yet, during the Powwow, the MC had said, “Please join us and let’s dance, the feast is for all of us!” He was one of those “Native American”, who have seen things, in their life. Before I went to sleep and this whole Friday, I remembered the movie “Forrest Gump”. Can it help to understand my question? (…) As this "melting pot" is really huge, everybody can still try to find out what they are passing through, since 1776.

Audace Machado

M.Conner Humphrey (10 then 25-2001)

John Worsham/ F. Gump

The saying “Life is like a box of chocolates”, adapts well the movie “Forrest Gump”. Not only every place’s life is made of good and bad experiences and opportunities, but when the US way of life comes, Forrest Gump describes as well this “melting pot” of big country, and gives a nice picture of either most values and anti-models of America.
Since the beginning of this long movie (more than 2 hours), we find where may be the power of this country: in addition to the education for every kids, America has developed special schools for children with abnormal IQ.

Moreover, education in this country promotes diverse students competence, especially sport. For example, Forrest Gump, despites his intelligence challenges, he graduated after five years of studying, but chiefly performing well football. Last example, in terms of culture, we find entirely through this movie, the power of music. Forrest has met “The King of pop music” since he was young. Besides, Gospel music helped him to socialize better. The same, Jenny her friend since childhood,  has survived and even seen this world harmony through music.

Politically, Forrest Gump is showing how America should be/is seen as a country of freedom of speech.  Let’s remember this big gathering at a public place to denounce the war in Viet-Nam: “We must declare to that fucking impostor in the White House -- Johnson. We ain't going to work on your farm no more!” “Yeah!”  The master of ceremonies is cheered up most of the time he loudly uses the “F-words-, regardless his shirt made in USA’s national colors. We may call it “deface”, but that Hippie movement spread in the world as “Peace and Love” movement.  

Sally Fiels / Mrs Gump

 You’ve got to put the pass behind you before you can move on”, suggested the mother of Forrest, especially when “Shit happens”, had offered Gump, later on. America can’t hide the discrimination that affected its people. Am I correct if I say that “probably American just trust in God?” I don’t even believe in that. Probably some of them: “God is mysterious”, Gump resumed her mother. What is sure, Forrest grew up with “Momma said not to be taking rides from strangers.” I remember, one off these last days, riding on a bike just to relaxe, I stopped to admire not only those kids playing, but also that public garden they were enjoying life. One of them sow me and run away. I then remembered that people in Montana are not so much accustomed  to "african" people! Very rare! Some even don't know about Buffalo Soldiers.

A. Machado at Ft Missoula

 Forrest kept on mind what theories such as that of Ku-Klux-Klan have made of America. Therefore, though the movie shows more love and help instead of hatred especially that based on race, it had invested till the public services such as education, and some authorities (such G. Wallace, the Governor of Alabama), even some States incarnated it. This prejudice has even been manifested through violence to political assassinations. In 1972, Wallace was shot, Nixon has been targeted. In 1981, Reagan escaped in extremis. Kennedy bothers didn’t escape in the year 1960’s. Nevertheless, tears and bloodshed through years too and among normal people, especially young volunteering in army, because of the America imperialism, if we swear by “Where have all the flowers gone”, a famous American funeral song.

Hanna Hall as young Ginny

Robin Wright as Ginny

All in all, in America, there is always a way to become someone from almost nothing. One day! Bob Dylan’s called it “Blowin’ In the Wind”. It looks easy:  “Have you given  any thought to your future?” was he asked when Uncle Sum needed him, for Viet-Nam. Because, people dream, not only Jenny: “You remember that time we prayed, Forrest? We prayed for God to turn me into a bird so I could fly far, far away?”

In terms of American values and vicious package, we can’t omit the perfect friend ship embodied by Jenny and Lieutenant Dan, both Forrest best friends and who escaped suicide, especially pushed in by alcoholism and personal extreme problems. Last, it’s about the motherhood personified by Mrs Gump (the mother of Forrest) and Jenny who almighty loved and protected their sons before dying tragically, while he became well-heeled.

I thought my understanding of the meaning of that day can continue. I just said, "It was amazing", when Dr Sandra Janusch asked me, "how was it?"