To Our Kerrville Family,
Like most, if not all of you, we are saddened and dismayed by the events that are rocking the country. The fact that fifty plus years after the great civil rights marches of the 1960’s that a black man or woman can’t go out without fear and do the things that white people take for granted is a disgrace.
The Board of Directors of the Kerrville Folk Festival Foundation stands in solidarity with those who are protesting the centuries-long abuse of black and brown people in this country. We affirm that black life matters. We unequivocally reject white supremacy in all its forms. We are saddened and outraged by the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Nina Pop, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery, Atiana Jefferson, Mike Ramos, among many others, at the hands of police officers and armed white supremacists. We applaud the determination and courage of those protesting amid a global health crisis because we know that silence is not an option in the face of unrelenting injustice.
As an organization founded to promote folk music, we think it is important to remember that American folk music has its roots in black traditional music and has found some of its greatest expression in times of civil strife and turmoil. And even though the “business” of the music industry has had its own dark history when it comes to equal treatment of black songwriters and performers, songs like “We Shall Overcome”, “Lift Every Voice and Sing”, “We Shall Not Be Moved”, “This Land is Our Land”, “A Change is Gonna Come”, “Blowin’ in the Wind”, and so many others give voice to our pain and our aspirations. Many of the songwriters associated with the Festival since its founding are an important part of that tradition, including one of the Festival’s founders, Peter Yarrow. He has spent his life on the front lines working for justice and peace.
We hope you use this time to take action to support those marching for change and encourage you to work for change yourself. Many of us are hurting right now. Music can empower and heal. Take some time to care for yourself and those dear to you. Listen to the music and reach out to a Kerrville family member.
We also encourage you to take action. Seek out organizations in your area to support, in whatever way is possible for you. Write emails to your local officials. Amplify the voices of black artists. Support can take many forms. As an organization, we intend to look inward and make sure that our practices and policies reflect our values and that those policies have zero tolerance for actions or symbols of racism, bigotry, or violence and they promote equality, inclusion, and peace.
A powerful video that Peter Yarrow and his daughter, Bethany, put together about empowerment and solidarity can be found on the Kerrville Folk Festival Foundation YouTube Channel, on our website, and on our FB Page.
One of the people who is at the heart of our family, Tom Prasada-Rao, performed his recent song, “
$20 Bill”, that fits this moment so well, and was featured in our Kerrville Folk Festival All Stars – Episode 2 This too can be found on our YouTube Channel, website and FB page.
Everyone has a role to play and each person’s and organization’s role may be different. Know that the Kerrville Folk Festival Foundation will continue to do our part to support songwriters and musicians trying to affect change through their words and music. It’s what we were created to do, “Saving the World, One Song at a Time”. Take care of yourself, your family and friends, and work for change. Now is the time.
In peace and solidarity,
The KFFF Board of Directors &
Executive Director
