If the Land Could Speak
Michael J. Johnson
Iftheland
Extemporaneous remarks at the end of a 1A interview, aired 7/11/2022: "If the land could speak, the land would weep for all the pain it has witnessed us cause ourselves The land would tell us: 'There's a better way to be, if you just listen to me I'm a part of you, not apart from you. So let's do this thing together.' The land would say: 'I am the common ground that can allow you to communicate across your seeming differences So use me in that way I'll offer myself up, respectfully' "
Baratunde Rafiq Thurston (b1977) is a comedian, writer, and activist He is the author of How To Be Black (2012) and host of the 2022 series "America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston". Learn more at baratundecom
Michael J. Johnson (b1990) is Director of Choral Activities and Vocal Music Education at Minnesota State University Moorhead There, he directs the University & Concert Choirs, teaches choral music education courses, and supervises student teachers in the field. Dr Johnson earned his doctorate from UW-Madison, masters degree from University of Denver, and bachelors from Luther College His research centers on modern American choral music of social justice. Dr. Johnson was the recipient of the 2020 Mullen Prize for composition, 2019 Conducting Fellowship through ICCM, and took first place in the 2018 ACDA conducting competition in Oklahoma City Learn more at michaeljjohnsoncom
Minnesota State University Moorhead is a liberal arts, four-year undergraduate & graduate institution situated in the heart of the Red River Valley in Moorhead, MN. For more information about what MSUM has to offer, visit mnstate.edu.
