good cause, good times

Rock Against Racism at Caras Park Friday

By Ryan Thompson, 9-18-08

Rock Against Racism blasts into Caras Park on Friday afternoon, giving Missoulians a chance to open their minds and their ears. The free concert is a fundraiser for the YWCA and features half hour long performances from 14 bands of different styles.

“The point is to raise awareness about racism in the community…and get young people to be involved in whatever cause they’re interested in,” said YWCA marketing coordinator Caitlin Copple.

Music starts at 3 p.m., and bands will perform until about 10 p.m. Diverse speakers ranging from Laurie Franklin of the Har Shalom Jewish community to Matt Singer of Forward Montana will give addresses on racism and its effects in between each band’s performance, said event creator Megan Baumann. Missoula-area non-profit groups will have tables set up throughout the day to educate concert goers and recruit volunteers.

Beyond education, the event raises money for the YWCA’s Racial Justice program through sales of Rock Against Racism T-shirts and sweatshirts along with donations, Copple said.

“I think any time you want to promote a message like that, putting a fun aspect like music with it is a great promotional tool,” said Kristin Hertz, keyboardist for Connoisseurs of Chaos, a Whitefish band that will perform at the event.

All bands hail from Big Sky country except for Glass Fence of Los Angeles, which agreed to perform as part of their western tour, Baumann said. Although the bands are diverse musically, they share in the mission of fighting racism.

“I don’t think a lot of people pay much attention to racism here,” said Victory Smokes bassist Christopher Baumann, citing Montana’s predominately Caucasian population. “It’s good that they’re calling attention to the fact that it exists.”

Opposing racism by playing the event is important to Forrest Norby, guitarist for Missoula punk band the Reptile Dysfunction, which also performed at the first Missoula Rock Against Racism in 2006.

“It was a lot of fun, and I thought it was a good cause,” Norby said. “We like to support causes that mean something to us.”

The YWCA’s Racial Justice program works to address racism by viewing it at the institutional level, examining discriminatory attitudes and policies throughout society which have led to inequalities for non-whites, Copple said. This discrimination affects many of those that the YWCA serves.

“We look at racism as a women’s issue,” Copple said. “We know we can’t help all women until we address racism."

“It’s a great cause with music and food,” added Nick Campbell, bassist and singer for Bonner band the Hardagains. “If you go down there you’re guaranteed to have a good time.”

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