Ronzo and Dees smiling with hope

Jim Dees is a weekly newspaper columnist in Oxford, Mississippi.  He is the editor of "They Write Among Us," a literary anthology released in 2003.  Dees is also the host of "Thacker Mountain Radio," a weekly literature and music show broadcast statewide on Mississippi Public

Ron Shapiro spent the first 30 years in St Louis in  University City and Washington University and with A-1 Tuxedo, a family owned business. After serving in Korea in 1967-68, he moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming and started Sunshine Movie Theater plus the Crystal in Missoula, Montana and The Micro in Moscow, Idaho.  Shapiro moved to Oxford, Mississippi in 1975 and with a little help from many friends started the Hoka Theater and Cafe.  In 1996 he took off to see the world. Upon returning to Oxford in 2000, he started Koolfolks.com a tshirt venture featuring some of his heroes.

Ron Shapiro at the begining of Highway 61 on Tulane Avenue in New Orleans photo by David Rae Morris

I have been trying to figure out what I could do to help this land that I love so much. It seems the people running America spend  our money on the wrong things and ignore the folks that need it the  most. Having lived in Mississippi for nearly 30 years I have certainly come to understand hard times but also the redemptive power  of art and music. In my part of the country, blues music has long  been a positive force for sad reflection, but also humor and optimism. Like the state of America right now, these sad songs really are more about a good person being down.. Hearing the blues makes you realize that others share it too and together we can all "make it out  of the funk ok" and life goes on with better days ahead.

I recently found the location in New Orleans where Highway 61 begins. Highway 61 is the route that took people to the north in the  hope of a better life. It is also the road that spread the Blues,  Jazz, Gospel and Rock and Roll to the world. To me, Highway 61 is the  road that is full of spirituality, music, joy and hope. I believe 61  to be an apt metaphor to bring awareness to the needs of the common  folks: health care, clean air and drinking water, improved education  and respect for working people.

With all of us working together, we can do miraculous things. Therefore the blues party invites you to join us for a series of "cultural happenings" along the road of Highway 61, through the heart  of the heartland. The route will include: New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Vicksburg, Greenville, Clarksdale, Memphis, Osceloa, Ark, Sikeston, Mo, Cape Girodeau, MO, Perryville, Mo., St Louis, Hannibal, Burlington, Iowa, Davenport, Iowa, Chicago. Our mission will be to present prayer, music, and discussions, always with a hopeful, optimistic vision. No negatives,  no bad mouthing. The blues party seeks to promote what America can  and should be. We want to restore America to being a country the world admires, not fears.

The blues party aims to bring back good old activism like that practiced by civil rights leader and healthitartian Dick Gregory. Mr. Gregory is a longtime champion of healthy diet and a progressive outlook, coupled with common sense, spirituality and compassion.

During our movement up 61, we will seek practical ideas from everyday folks along the way to pass on to our government. Surely it  is a tragedy that the U.S. is the only industrialized nation without  national health care or that our drinking water sucks. At the end of  the year, as we approach Chicago, we will hold a ceremonial fast. The  fast will be a cross between Moses' 40 day fast and a typical Native  American fast, which would be from 1 day to 40 days. What we call a  "slow fast." It will be the beginning of summer 2004 and everyone is supposed to fast anyway after the heavy food of the winter. (Which is  why strawberries is the first fruit.)

We just have to pay attention to nature and all will be well. The hope of this attention-getting movement is to encourage awareness  of what we don't have like adequate health care or environmental protections, and celebrate what we do have: great music, culture,  joy, freedom of speech and optimism. We intend to inspire non-voters,  the so-called "frustrated fringe," to register to vote.

Perhaps the largest group of non-voters is young people under age 25. This journey should appeal to them. Our old buddy, Hunter S. Thompson, once said, "if all the Deadheads voted this would be a different country." So true. Such a "tie dye" coalition would elect soulful leaders to heal America, to bring attention to the cool and practical things about life.

Dick Gregory ran for president during the 1960s and along the way, raised this country's social consciousness. He performed small  but brave acts such as fasting against the Vietnam War. He lost 100  pounds but still walked from New Orleans to Baton Rouge to prove his  stamina. Gregory has worked for years to help obese people get control of their diet. He probably knows as much about nutrients and America's meat obsession as anyone. The blues party thinks of him as  a kindred, spiritual leader. In fact, we look to a variety of people  as our Dream Team, national figures who inspire us who we hope would  join us..

We love Jesus, Gandhi and Buddha of course, not to mention the Mississippi River, but how about Dolly Parton? Self-effacing, over-the top, not afraid to take herself lightly, but always creative  and beautiful. Oprah Winfrey would be another of our heroes: practical, compassionate and chock full of common sense but a world  class businesswoman. Certainly Bruce Springsteen represents our consciousness. He recently played Austin, Texas, down the road from Presidents' home,  where he spoke out against the war in Iraq. His first song, (and the  only time on the tour he played it) was "War, ""...what is it good  for? Absolutely nothing!"

We have to get along with the world and spend as much money on peace as we do on conflict. All our ambassadors to other countries  should be artists, writers, and musicians instead of big-money donors  from gated communities.

Communication is the power. The last time I heard Dick Gregory speak he said that the real power isn't wealth or success but information.  We have the information; we just have to let people  hear it.  The blues party is the antidope to the 2004 election Let's  blindside
America with thoughts of spirituality, hope, and music and  encourage all people to vote.

It's time to OM America out.