Can Music Save the World?

The stars appear, starting with Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell, who performs the weekend's oddest number, a spoken-word piece accompanied by canned music that attempts to link the plight of the Jewish diaspora with that of the Tibetans. Wearing a metallic silver-and-crimson outfit complete with turban, Farrell looks like an extra in a community theater production of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.

Dignity is restored as several members of Congress from both sides of the aisle parade to the podium to make pro-Tibet speeches. One, Joe Scarborough from Florida, in baggy khakis and a plaid shirt, could have easily blended in with the concert crowd; he quotes a long passage by Bobby Kennedy on youth activism. Democratic Congressman Chris Cox of California lobbies for House Resolution 283, which calls for the Chinese government to discuss Tibetan autonomy with the Dalai Lama (the resolution was passed in the House by a vote of 416 to 5, but Clinton has yet to endorse it). California Rep. Dana Rohrbacher proclaims dramatically, "Our country stands for more than short-term blood money in the hands of profiteers! Yes, I'm for free trade, but that's free trade between free people, buster!"

Never have so many pierced college students cheered so wildly for a Republican. And for once, the rabid anti-Communist Republicans are being admirably (if unconsciously) consistent: If you believe pop music can influence kids to commit suicide, you have to also concede that it might be an equally strong means to positive ends.

With all its rebellious associations, rock music has fueled every major political upheaval of the past 30 years. Czechoslovakia's Velvet Revolution, the Sandinistas' fight in Nicaragua, the protests against the Vietnam War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the end of the Cold War—each one had a rock 'n' roll soundtrack. For the Tibetans' struggle, the score happens to be by the Beastie Boys. Now the trick is to get the kids to listen to more than the music.

For more information on the Milarepa Fund, call 1-888-MILAREPA.

Official Free Tibet Concert Site
http://www.tibet98.com/

Beastie Boys
http://www.grandroyal.com/BeastieBoys/

Students for a Free Tibet
http://www.tibet.org/SFT/

Human Rights in China
http://www.igc.apc.org/hric/index.html

Radiohead Fan Page
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Alley/2992/page1.htm