Did you get caught up in the traffic jam line that snaked around Javits for Peter Yarrow‘s picture book version of his bestselling song PUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON this past June? Then if you did, you’ll understand why the Boston Globe is profiling the Peter part of folksinging group Peter, Paul and Mary, The 69-year-old Yarrow said he has a larger purpose for the 25-city tour beyond selling books. “It’s about spreading a culture I believe in so deeply and have been a part of for so many years,” said Yarrow, a Grammy Award winner and Emmy Award nominee, whose advocacy for human and civil rights, social justice, and peace is embodied in Operation Respect, a nonprofit organization he founded in 1999 to combat bullying, ridicule, and violence in schools.
“Folk music can establish a sense of community, an acceptance of each other rather than alienation of those who don’t have the same religion or skin color or eat the same food. It does not speak to competition, but is a celebration of who we are, a celebration of goodness, decency, and neutrality,” Yarrow said. “This kind of music is a very powerful tool of peace. And at this point in my life, I only want to do things that promote truth and beauty and help make the world a better place.” Yarrow will be at Willow Books & Cafe tomorrow, and presumably many other packed venues cross-country. to come.