David LaMotte

Speaker • Author • Musician

Peace Work

The Fifth Annual Freedom Ball

Mar 20, 2013
As Christmas approached last year, my thoughts were very much with my friend Ed Chapman. Ed spent nearly fifteen years in prison, thirteen of those on death row, wrongfully convicted. He was exonerated five years ago. Exoneration doesn’t involve any restitution or declaration of innocence, they just let you go. In Ed’s case, he had […]

The Fifth Annual Freedom Ball

by David LaMotte

As Christmas approached last year, my thoughts were very much with my friend Ed Chapman. Ed spent nearly fifteen years in prison, thirteen of those on death row, wrongfully convicted. He was exonerated five years ago. Exoneration doesn’t involve any restitution or declaration of innocence, they just let you go. In Ed’s case, he had […]

A new song being born: Angelita

Feb 10, 2013
Antigua, Guatemala  8AM Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013 I wrote a song lyric yesterday that captures a bit of what I’m thinking and feeling on this particular trip to Guatemala, which must be about my tenth time here. I’m thinking about how the places we encounter literally become a part of us (and yes, I really […]

A new song being born: Angelita

by David LaMotte

Antigua, Guatemala  8AM Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013 I wrote a song lyric yesterday that captures a bit of what I’m thinking and feeling on this particular trip to Guatemala, which must be about my tenth time here. I’m thinking about how the places we encounter literally become a part of us (and yes, I really […]

Worldchanging Weekends

Jan 22, 2013
For over fifteen years David has been offering Worldchanging 101 workshops and keynotes. In them, he challenges some common, but largely unexamined, ideas about how large-scale social change happens and how it does not. We have put together a new flyer for colleges and churches about various ways to organize a weekend event or a […]

Worldchanging Weekends

by David LaMotte

For over fifteen years David has been offering Worldchanging 101 workshops and keynotes. In them, he challenges some common, but largely unexamined, ideas about how large-scale social change happens and how it does not. We have put together a new flyer for colleges and churches about various ways to organize a weekend event or a […]

Interview on peacemaking and activism

Jan 3, 2013
David Dault recently interviewed me for his podcast ‘Things Not Seen.’  It was a delightful conversation, and the edited version is here. I hope you will enjoy it. To listen, simply click here.

Interview on peacemaking and activism

by David LaMotte

David Dault recently interviewed me for his podcast ‘Things Not Seen.’  It was a delightful conversation, and the edited version is here. I hope you will enjoy it. To listen, simply click here.

What I Want For Christmas…

Dec 5, 2012
…really comes down to five or ten minutes of your time. And a stamp. And an envelope and a piece of paper. And a decision to spend those minutes in a way that could take a step toward righting a wrong. Ed Chapman is a friend of mine.  I’ve written about him before on my […]

What I Want For Christmas…

by David LaMotte

…really comes down to five or ten minutes of your time. And a stamp. And an envelope and a piece of paper. And a decision to spend those minutes in a way that could take a step toward righting a wrong. Ed Chapman is a friend of mine.  I’ve written about him before on my […]

A Zoo Story…

Dec 4, 2012
On Saturday, I took my son Mason to the zoo in Asheboro. It was a gorgeous day, but there were very few people there. When I stopped into the gift shop to rent a stroller (Mason hurt his foot this week and wasn’t quite up to all the walking), I asked the bored teenager behind […]

A Zoo Story…

by David LaMotte

On Saturday, I took my son Mason to the zoo in Asheboro. It was a gorgeous day, but there were very few people there. When I stopped into the gift shop to rent a stroller (Mason hurt his foot this week and wasn’t quite up to all the walking), I asked the bored teenager behind […]

Very More Awesome

Nov 14, 2012
It has now been three weeks since my Guatemalan friends returned to El Tejar, and I’m just beginning to gain the perspective that a bit of distance provides. Our time together in North Carolina was rich, dense and fulfilling, and I know that I am not the only one who was deeply moved by it. […]

Very More Awesome

by David LaMotte

It has now been three weeks since my Guatemalan friends returned to El Tejar, and I’m just beginning to gain the perspective that a bit of distance provides. Our time together in North Carolina was rich, dense and fulfilling, and I know that I am not the only one who was deeply moved by it. […]

White Flour is now a video!

Sep 21, 2012
Here’s a way to hear and see this story, that doesn’t require buying the book. Please feel free to share it in any context you like, virtual or actual.  

White Flour is now a video!

by David LaMotte

Here’s a way to hear and see this story, that doesn’t require buying the book. Please feel free to share it in any context you like, virtual or actual.  

Chances to spend some time in conversation this summer

Jun 5, 2012
Along with the whirlwind of activity around the release of my new book, White Flour, and some concert appearances, I’m preparing for a collection of conferences this summer, and I hope you can join me at some of them. One is for youth, and the rest for adults, with youth welcome.  I’ll be teaching creative […]

Chances to spend some time in conversation this summer

by David LaMotte

Along with the whirlwind of activity around the release of my new book, White Flour, and some concert appearances, I’m preparing for a collection of conferences this summer, and I hope you can join me at some of them. One is for youth, and the rest for adults, with youth welcome.  I’ll be teaching creative […]

‘White Flour’ interview on Macon, Georgia’s NBC-41

Jun 5, 2012
Here is an appearance on Macon Georgia’s NBC station, Channel 41 on May 29, 2012, talking about White Flour. It’s possible that I should have put some white flour on my head to combat the glare… 😉  

‘White Flour’ interview on Macon, Georgia’s NBC-41

by David LaMotte

Here is an appearance on Macon Georgia’s NBC station, Channel 41 on May 29, 2012, talking about White Flour. It’s possible that I should have put some white flour on my head to combat the glare… 😉  

Bloggers on “White Flour”

Apr 10, 2012
It is amazing to see all the excitement White Flour is generating, still six weeks out from its publication. Here are a few of the exciting things generated by other folks in response to the book. • Flip Lower, from Birmingham, AL, came up with the idea of ‘White Flour Weekend’ for May 26-27, where […]

Bloggers on “White Flour”

by David LaMotte

It is amazing to see all the excitement White Flour is generating, still six weeks out from its publication. Here are a few of the exciting things generated by other folks in response to the book. • Flip Lower, from Birmingham, AL, came up with the idea of ‘White Flour Weekend’ for May 26-27, where […]

‘White Flour’ News

Mar 24, 2012
As of this afternoon, March 24, there is one week to go in the month-long kickstarter campaign to publish my new illustrated book, White Flour, and wait ’til you hear the news!  Here’s the scoop: Thank you! The original goal of $18,500 was met in only twelve days! People have ‘shared’ the project all over […]

‘White Flour’ News

by David LaMotte

As of this afternoon, March 24, there is one week to go in the month-long kickstarter campaign to publish my new illustrated book, White Flour, and wait ’til you hear the news!  Here’s the scoop: Thank you! The original goal of $18,500 was met in only twelve days! People have ‘shared’ the project all over […]

Nobel News

Mar 24, 2012
The AFSC recently announced its nominee for the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel committee is also requesting nominees for the 2013 prize. More information on each of these efforts is available here.... Read More →

Nobel News

by David LaMotte

The AFSC recently announced its nominee for the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel committee is also requesting nominees for the 2013 prize. More information on each of these efforts is available here…. Read More →

White Flour book on the way…

Mar 1, 2012
Order the book or support the project here! My new illustrated book will be coming out in late May.  It tells a funny, instructive and true story of a creative anti-racism protest by a group calling itself the Coup Clutz Clowns, in Knoxville, Tennessee.  If all goes well, the book will be released on May […]

White Flour book on the way…

by David LaMotte

Order the book or support the project here! My new illustrated book will be coming out in late May.  It tells a funny, instructive and true story of a creative anti-racism protest by a group calling itself the Coup Clutz Clowns, in Knoxville, Tennessee.  If all goes well, the book will be released on May […]

Teleprompters, Translation and a Tie

Jan 27, 2012
…I couldn’t help but be aware of how much my life has changed in the last few years. Last week I flew to San Diego to speak at a Rotary International Assembly. It was a bit heady for me. Not only my first time with a teleprompter and six-language simultaneous translation, but I was an […]

Teleprompters, Translation and a Tie

by David LaMotte

…I couldn’t help but be aware of how much my life has changed in the last few years. Last week I flew to San Diego to speak at a Rotary International Assembly. It was a bit heady for me. Not only my first time with a teleprompter and six-language simultaneous translation, but I was an […]

Looking Back, Looking Forward

Jan 5, 2012
As many of us do this time of year, I looked back over 2011 recently, and I was amazed to see all that had happened. Some of it has been hard and some has been thrilling, but I definitely feel alive. I was theoretically taking it easier this year in order to work at the […]

Looking Back, Looking Forward

by David LaMotte

As many of us do this time of year, I looked back over 2011 recently, and I was amazed to see all that had happened. Some of it has been hard and some has been thrilling, but I definitely feel alive. I was theoretically taking it easier this year in order to work at the […]

Harmony for Humanity Interview

Sep 8, 2011
This is a recent interview and article published by Harmony for Humanity, please click the link below to read the rest of it. David LaMotte: Making a Difference From the Heart David LaMotte is being the change in so many ways that it’s almost impossible to keep up. LaMotte is an award-winning songwriter and peace […]

Harmony for Humanity Interview

by David LaMotte

This is a recent interview and article published by Harmony for Humanity, please click the link below to read the rest of it. David LaMotte: Making a Difference From the Heart David LaMotte is being the change in so many ways that it’s almost impossible to keep up. LaMotte is an award-winning songwriter and peace […]

Playing with Pete

Sep 6, 2011
I’m honored to get to share the stage with Pete Seeger, David Amram and other fine people in New York City this Sunday afternoon, on the tenth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.  I can think of no better way to spend that day, or people with whom to spend it.  The event will honor […]

Playing with Pete

by David LaMotte

I’m honored to get to share the stage with Pete Seeger, David Amram and other fine people in New York City this Sunday afternoon, on the tenth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.  I can think of no better way to spend that day, or people with whom to spend it.  The event will honor […]

Thoughts on Peace and Power

Aug 8, 2011
On April 9, 2011 a group of people who are concerned about the course of the seemingly endless "War on Terror" gathered to hear impressive speakers, including several veterans, an active duty soldier, activists and an investigative journalist, bring perspective to the current state of affairs. A live orchestra performed between presenters, and excerpts of speeches from Dr. King and Dwight Eisenhower were offered by actors, speaking in character.... Read More →

Thoughts on Peace and Power

by David LaMotte

On April 9, 2011 a group of people who are concerned about the course of the seemingly endless “War on Terror” gathered to hear impressive speakers, including several veterans, an active duty soldier, activists and an investigative journalist, bring perspective to the current state of affairs. A live orchestra performed between presenters, and excerpts of speeches from Dr. King and Dwight Eisenhower were offered by actors, speaking in character…. Read More →

Peace, Perigrinations, and Pete Seeger

Aug 8, 2011
Greetings from Holden Beach, NC, where I’m spending a few days with most of my family celebrating my Dad’s eightieth trip around the sun. Mason and Deanna are napping, so I thought I would take a few minutes to write a quick update. When they wake up, it will be time to teach Mason how […]

Peace, Perigrinations, and Pete Seeger

by David LaMotte

Greetings from Holden Beach, NC, where I’m spending a few days with most of my family celebrating my Dad’s eightieth trip around the sun. Mason and Deanna are napping, so I thought I would take a few minutes to write a quick update. When they wake up, it will be time to teach Mason how […]

Lingua Musica interview

Aug 2, 2011
My long-time friend Barbie Angell interviewed me for a new video series called Lingua Musica. It was a good conversation, sitting by Lake Susan in Montreat, NC, and she just wrote to tell me the interview had gone live…

Lingua Musica interview

by David LaMotte

My long-time friend Barbie Angell interviewed me for a new video series called Lingua Musica. It was a good conversation, sitting by Lake Susan in Montreat, NC, and she just wrote to tell me the interview had gone live…

A Bend in the Path

Jun 17, 2011
As I write, the window is open, letting the sticky summer air of Carolina drift in, disturbed by a ceiling fan stirring it around to keep me comfortable.  Sounds fall in that window as well — birds chirping and the low swell of the occasional car passing by. I took Mason to the diner across […]

A Bend in the Path

by David LaMotte

As I write, the window is open, letting the sticky summer air of Carolina drift in, disturbed by a ceiling fan stirring it around to keep me comfortable.  Sounds fall in that window as well — birds chirping and the low swell of the occasional car passing by. I took Mason to the diner across […]

My friend Edward

Apr 2, 2011
I was honored to play at a benefit concert for my buddy Edward Chapman Thursday night in Asheville, and it’s strange to see myself on Fox News… Edward was exonerated three years ago for a double murder. He spent fifteen years in prison, including thirteen on death row. He was the victim of suppression on […]

My friend Edward

by David LaMotte

I was honored to play at a benefit concert for my buddy Edward Chapman Thursday night in Asheville, and it’s strange to see myself on Fox News… Edward was exonerated three years ago for a double murder. He spent fifteen years in prison, including thirteen on death row. He was the victim of suppression on […]

Nobel Peace Prize – any ideas?

Mar 31, 2011
I am about to have my third meeting with the Nobel Peace Prize Nomination Committee of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC).  What a privilege to spend time with these Quakers, twelve people from three continents. They are knowledgeable, committed and fascinating people, and our conversations are consistently compelling. The list of people and organizations […]

Nobel Peace Prize – any ideas?

by David LaMotte

I am about to have my third meeting with the Nobel Peace Prize Nomination Committee of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC).  What a privilege to spend time with these Quakers, twelve people from three continents. They are knowledgeable, committed and fascinating people, and our conversations are consistently compelling. The list of people and organizations […]

More pictures and news from Guatemala

Feb 1, 2011
More photos and stories from Guatemala, where I will be for the next few days, visiting schools and libraries which are supported by PEG Partners, the non-profit Deanna and I founded in 2004.... Read More →

More pictures and news from Guatemala

by David LaMotte

More photos and stories from Guatemala, where I will be for the next few days, visiting schools and libraries which are supported by PEG Partners, the non-profit Deanna and I founded in 2004…. Read More →

Down Under in March

Dec 22, 2010
I’m very much looking forward to getting back down to Australia in mid-March.  I’ve been invited to speak at a Rotary conference in the nation’s capitol, Canberra, and will go down a few days early in order to get back to Brisbane for a visit there, and possibly a concert as well.  It will be […]

Down Under in March

by David LaMotte

I’m very much looking forward to getting back down to Australia in mid-March.  I’ve been invited to speak at a Rotary conference in the nation’s capitol, Canberra, and will go down a few days early in order to get back to Brisbane for a visit there, and possibly a concert as well.  It will be […]

The Tortured Truth

Dec 10, 2010
The following article of mine first appeared on NCPolicyWatch.org, and has since been published in the and on Patheos. In recent days, the Internet has been abuzz with revelations brought to us by the latest “Wikileaks” disclosure. Thousands of leaked communiqués reveal various officials’ comments publicly, though they were originally intended to be private. Apologies, […]

The Tortured Truth

by David LaMotte

The following article of mine first appeared on NCPolicyWatch.org, and has since been published in the and on Patheos. In recent days, the Internet has been abuzz with revelations brought to us by the latest “Wikileaks” disclosure. Thousands of leaked communiqués reveal various officials’ comments publicly, though they were originally intended to be private. Apologies, […]

Rosa Parks and me (and you)

Dec 3, 2010
Wednesday was the fifty-fifth anniversary of Rosa Parks’ arrest.  That event is a powerful reminder for me, not of the power of heroism, but of the power of day in and day out activism. For most of us, Rosa Parks’ life was one day long. Her real story is usually edited to fit our prevailing […]

Rosa Parks and me (and you)

by David LaMotte

Wednesday was the fifty-fifth anniversary of Rosa Parks’ arrest.  That event is a powerful reminder for me, not of the power of heroism, but of the power of day in and day out activism. For most of us, Rosa Parks’ life was one day long. Her real story is usually edited to fit our prevailing […]

The biggest myth of Democracy

Oct 31, 2010
My first shot at a video weblog, or vlog, as the kids say... a few thoughts on misconceptions of what democracy means and the importance of voting - or not voting - in mid-term elections.... Read More →

The biggest myth of Democracy

by David LaMotte

My first shot at a video weblog, or vlog, as the kids say… a few thoughts on misconceptions of what democracy means and the importance of voting – or not voting – in mid-term elections…. Read More →

International Burn a Koran Day – cancel/clear

Sep 9, 2010
At the time of this writing, Thursday afternoon, the minister in Florida who had planned to burn Korans two days from now has called off the event, or “stunt,” as President Obama rightly referred to it. That’s good news.... Read More →

International Burn a Koran Day – cancel/clear

by David LaMotte

At the time of this writing, Thursday afternoon, the minister in Florida who had planned to burn Korans two days from now has called off the event, or “stunt,” as President Obama rightly referred to it. That’s good news…. Read More →

Settling in and looking forward

Aug 7, 2010
I suppose there is a continuum with “stability” on one side and “adventure” on the other, and most people find themselves most comfortable somewhere along it. It’s a good thing that I have more need for adventure than stability in my life, as it seems like that is my lot. My time in Australia came […]

Settling in and looking forward

by David LaMotte

I suppose there is a continuum with “stability” on one side and “adventure” on the other, and most people find themselves most comfortable somewhere along it. It’s a good thing that I have more need for adventure than stability in my life, as it seems like that is my lot. My time in Australia came […]

Where To From Here

Apr 25, 2010
“What is it you plan to do with your one wild precious life?” – Mary Oliver 17 April, 2010 train from Brisbane, QLD to Grafton, NSW As I write this I am riding through the Australian countryside on a train, headed to a conference where I’ll be speaking about the Rotary World Peace Fellowship and […]

Where To From Here

by David LaMotte

“What is it you plan to do with your one wild precious life?” – Mary Oliver 17 April, 2010 train from Brisbane, QLD to Grafton, NSW As I write this I am riding through the Australian countryside on a train, headed to a conference where I’ll be speaking about the Rotary World Peace Fellowship and […]

In the Margins

Feb 4, 2010
Lately For the past six weeks I have been living in eastern Andhra Pradesh, India, dividing my time between the city of Vijayawada and a small village an hour and a half away, Srikakulam. I’m working with a grass-roots non-profit agency called Arthik Samata Mandal (ASM), which began as a disaster relief organization, and now […]

In the Margins

by David LaMotte

Lately For the past six weeks I have been living in eastern Andhra Pradesh, India, dividing my time between the city of Vijayawada and a small village an hour and a half away, Srikakulam. I’m working with a grass-roots non-profit agency called Arthik Samata Mandal (ASM), which began as a disaster relief organization, and now […]

In the Margins

Jan 5, 2010
Lately For the past six weeks I have been living in eastern Andhra Pradesh, India, dividing my time between the city of Vijayawada and a small village an hour and a half away, Srikakulam. I’m working with a grass-roots non-profit agency called Arthik Samata Mandal (ASM), which began as a disaster relief organization, and now […]

In the Margins

by David LaMotte

Lately For the past six weeks I have been living in eastern Andhra Pradesh, India, dividing my time between the city of Vijayawada and a small village an hour and a half away, Srikakulam. I’m working with a grass-roots non-profit agency called Arthik Samata Mandal (ASM), which began as a disaster relief organization, and now […]

More pictures from India

Dec 29, 2009
Here are forty+ more pictures from India. This batch focuses a bit more on the work done by the organization I’m working with, Arthik Samata Mandal. There are some cute Mason pictures as well, though. India is an incredible place to shoot pictures. I visited another village today and I took 243 pictures. That’s with […]

More pictures from India

by David LaMotte

Here are forty+ more pictures from India. This batch focuses a bit more on the work done by the organization I’m working with, Arthik Samata Mandal. There are some cute Mason pictures as well, though. India is an incredible place to shoot pictures. I visited another village today and I took 243 pictures. That’s with […]