Drum Major Institute to Honor Kos, Marsalis, Burger, Heuvel

The Drum Major Institute (DMI) will be honoring The Daily Kos’ Markos Moulitsas with the Justice Award during its gala event on June 22, 2006 in New York City.  Also being honored are Anna Burger (Change to Win Labor Federation), Wynton Marsalis (renowned jazz musician and activist), and Katrina van den Heuvel (The Nation). 

Cheers to all the DMI award winners, but special kudos to Kos because the Internet and blogsphere are changing and reshaping how we get and think about the news, interpret policy, and take our mainstream media and politicians to task. 

There is still the seemingly impenetrable air that we can’t change the way things are – but of course we can.  Somehow we ended up in this sad state of affairs, which means we can change the direction we are going in.  To quote Marsalis (from DMI Blog):

“Look around the room… and I want you all to understand that there are forces all around you who wish to exploit division, rob you of your freedom, and tell you what to think. They are afraid of change… some of these forces are even within you. But I'm here to tell you, when young folks are motivated to action, when they act with insight, soul and fire, they can rekindle the weary spirit of a slumbering nation. It's time somebody woke us up.”

We need these leaders and more.  I’m glad to be back blogging, to be a part of the movement, and to attend the event and join my fellow bloggers and activists to make change. To check out the DMI benefit event, click here. 

DMI’s Mission

The Drum Major Institute for Public Policy is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to challenging the tired orthodoxies of both the right and the left. The goal: progressive public policy for social and economic fairness. DMI's approach is unwavering: We do not issue reports to see our name in print or hold forums for the sake of mere talk. We seek to change policy by conducting research into overlooked, but important social and economic issues, by leveraging our strategic relationships to engage policymakers and opinion leaders in our work, and by offering platforms to amplify the ideas of those who are working for social and economic fairness.