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Taken from World Peace One (October 8, 2003)
World Peace One - What a Peace rally!
This is an edited version of an interview and article I wrote in December 2002.
I must acknowledge that the complete article was published in map magazine.
by Stefan Treyvaud
 "When I was a kid I didn't really have the happiest time growing up. My Father was an alcoholic and there was a lot of shouting and fighting in the household. When I went into my room to alone, music helped me heal. It brought out emotions in me that I didn't know. It helped me to get through the difficult times in my life.
"Now as an adult it does the same thing. I got into music because I wanted to help other people to have that experience of healing through music. I believe that music is one of the healing arts."
Standing 'six feet six above sea level' Michael Franti is a truly inspirational musician, poet and social activist, who directs his talents towards effecting change for the betterment of humanity and the planet on which we live.
With his band Spearhead, the gentle giant from San Francisco represents a mainstream following of Spearites who share his concern for a world in crisis.
The crisis that Michael refers to has most recently manifested itself in terrorism and the subsequent militarism that his country's President so openly advocates. Yet, for Michael the issue of this century is not about Islam v. Christianity or the USA v. the Middle East. "It's about those people who have money and power v. those people who are moneyless and powerless."
It's a crisis that Michael attributes to leaders at arms length from the people they purport to represent, and a corporate media that has propagated the governments' pursuit of " the corporate and military interest of our country before the human and natural interests of the whole planet."
No doubt the issues that Michael addresses through his music seem beyond the influence of individuals, yet he believes that "everybody who is alive right now has the chance to help set the world on a new path."
"So, how do we affect change?" he asks rhetorically. "Within our own hearts. And within our own lives. From that peace we grow outwards and try to manifest peace in our actions. For me that means practicing yoga every day, doing the best that I can to heal myself, and letting go of the anger that I feel so that I can approach peace from a place of love."
Whether through the prophets of organised religion or the modern cleric of a life-coach, (or having experienced Franti live!!!) much of Michael's powerful oratory is already familiar to many of us.
"Everybody has different things that pain them, or that bring them joy. It's learning to accept both pain and joy and to find a balance in our lives which allows us to pass through the pain and be fully present for the joy."
These are the teachings of Buddha and Gandhi as much as they are of Anthony Robbins or many of his predecessors. Michael Franti however chooses music as his medium.
.The immediate political future is not, at least according to this prophet , as rosy.
"As the real issues become more and more apparent.I see more and more people saying 'hey, wait a minute. How are we really going to achieve peace in the word? And if not in the world, how am I going to achieve peace in my bedroom? my heart and my mind?'
"I do think in the world politically there is going to be a shift - like the seasons. Coming up to this next election I'm sure the Republican Party - the right wing of America - is going to win again. And I think it is going to be a really dark time in this country."
As a positive soul Michael does foresee a silver lining.
"Through that (dark time) I think there's going to be opportunities for third parties to be heard. While the Green Party is not really prominent in American politics, the ideas of the Green Party - healthcare, environment, no-militarism, decriminalising drugs, education - are the ideas that people are really concerned about. .so six years from now we'll see a swing back and hopefully it will be a swing to loving and beautiful, bright and positive."
Michael concluded the interview with a story he has shared from the stage before. A friend had told him the story.
"When he was 25 years old he went to Hawaii to find himself and to figure out the question of 'what the hell am I going to do with my life?' He met this enlightened old man and thought the man would look at him and say something like 'you have strong hands and a sharp mind - be a surgeon.'
"The man looked at him and said; 'Be a light. Be a radiant example of how you would like the world to be'. That's how I try to live my life."
After 45 of the most inspiring minutes of my life the interview drew to a close. I no doubt babbled adoration. Michael thanked me 'for helping get the word out.' I do not have the discipline or the faith for religion but if you'll humour me I believe that Michael Franti is a Prophet.
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