A Peacewalk Through Japan and The Songs of Slavery

Dave Beck
07/29/2008

Former Army Sergeant Ash Woolson is the president of the Bellingham Chapter of Iraq Veterans Against the War. Today, Ash Woolson tells us how his protesting radically changed after a thousand mile Peace Walk through Japan. We also explore songs of slavery with Andrew Ward.

At 2:05 p.m. – The Power of Puppetry

Marionette puppetry is a tradition spanning many cultures and centuries. Stephen Carter is a Seattle puppeteer who, along with 3 generations of his family, carries on that tradition with the Carter Family Marionettes. We talk with Stephen at the Northwest Puppet Center where he builds puppets and presents marionette productions with his family. Part of Stephen Carter's puppeteering education took place in Communist era Romania, where he studied alongside one of that country's most respected puppet carvers.

At 2:20 p.m. – A Peace Walk Through Japan

After World War Two, Japan adopted a new clause into their constitution. Article 9 is known as the "No War" clause. Now, Japan's government is considering eliminating article 9. Former Army Sergeant Ash Woolson never served in Japan. He's an Iraq War Veteran and the president of the Bellingham Chapter of Iraq Veterans Against the War. When Ash heard about the controversy over Article 9 in Japan, he wanted to help peace protesters there. Today, Ash tells Jeremy Richards how the Buddhist monks he joined had a radically different approach to peace activism than he had ever encountered.

At 2:40 p.m. – Andrew Ward: The Songs of Slavery

If you were a white plantation owner before the civil war, and you heard slaves singing the spiritual "Steal Away," you might think they were praying for salvation. If you were one of the slaves, however, you would hear the song in a completely different way. Behind the soulful lyrics was a coded message, telling you to paddle across the river at night for a secret church service in the forest. Andrew Ward is an NPR commentator author of The Slaves' War: The Civil War in the Words of Former Slaves. He's been singing the hymns and spirituals of slavery since college. He joins us with a look at three songs that have special cultural and personal resonance.

At 2:50 p.m. – What's Funny About Environmental Activism?

If you try to comprehend the full scope of global warming, it could make you feel like your head will explode. It's easier to focus on the smaller picture – like whether you can recycle a beer bottle with a lime wedge still in it. Chip Giller realized these quirky angles are also more likely to grab attention. That's why he founded grist.org. It's an online environmental magazine that uses humor when covering serious environmental issues. But Chip doesn't necessarily consider himself a funny guy. He stumbled on the power of humor accidentally. It all started with a gubernatiorial race and a Halloween costume.