Power to the Peaceful

I am a terribly jaded, hopeless optimist and the 37 minutes it took to find parking felt too San Francisco for my Oaktown sensibilities. After a mile hike through a neighborhood and then into Golden Gate Park, I finally reached the 7th Annual 911 Power to the Peaceful Festival (PTTP) at Speedway Meadow. Thousands of Bay Area residents gathered to protest, to party, and to participate in a "free, outdoor music and arts festival with a social justice message." It is undeniable that there is power in numbers, and the feeling was palpable. It has been a long time since I've seen such a collection denim, tie-dye and Caucasian dreadlocks. The slightly acrid smell of marijuana wafted through the air, riding the sound waves of some high quality reggae, and finally landing on the sunburned foreheads of all of us so accustomed to the fog. I was already excited to hear from the likes of Woody Harrelson, Angela Davis and the irrepressible Michael Franti. The sunshine simply confirmed that it would be a day of feeling good. In a sea of anti-Bush propaganda and completely compostable paper products from the food vendors, our nation's woes seemed surmountable. Peace really felt like a possibility. Just suppose if everyday all across America we all had the opportunity to buy hemp soap, to hawk cheap political t-shirts, and to skateboard on a half-pipe in the park before an adoring audience. Wouldn't everything be a little more chill? Now, it certainly doesn't hurt if everyone looks like they are in their mid 20's, shows lots of skin, and wears uber trendy sunglasses. I mean it, thousands and thousands of pairs of totally hip sunglasses! Oh, and I can't forget the dancing. Yuppie bouncing, hippy flailing, and Urban Outfitter clad hipster undulating all together boogying at the knees of costumed stilt walkers. Now that makes me—well, peaceful—sleepy even. Thank God for San Francisco, for Bay Area optimism and self-righteousness. Who else will remind the rest of the country that we can all just get along? As long as there's enough pot, sun, beer and vegan carob chip cookies for everyone.

If you're feeling the peaceful vibe, check out the Power to the Peaceful Film Festival that takes place Monday and Tuesday, September 12-13 at Roxie Cinema. http://www.powertothepeaceful.org/film.html