Readers,
It has been some time since I last posted and I have a heavy topic to discuss. Social justice is a topic that many throw around to discuss the inequities of our society. Typically those are talked through issues or race, ethnic background, religion, poverty, lifestyle, and a slew of other topics. I recently attended the American Choral Director's Association National Conference and was given the pleasure of attending a session entitled, "A Voice of Reason: Social Justice, the Greater Good, and Why We Sing". This was presented by Dr. Kristina Caswell MacMullen, with the Ohio State University.
Before we get into a thought about religious groups and the negative ideals associated with social justice, we need to first recognize that social justice was originally an effort of the church. The thought of life and dignity for all was important, and the poor and vulnerable were the focus of these groups.
Dr. MacMullen introduced the session to a number of contemporary choruses and their social justice iterations. The two that I will discuss in this post are related to those with a mission related to social justice.
The first that I want to discuss is "The Seven Last Words of the Unarmed" by Joel Thompson. The University of Michigan Men's Glee Club, under the direction of Dr. Eugene Rogers, performed this very powerful work. There are seven specific movements, dedicated to men of color, black men, that had encountered with police and were shot at, or were racially identified. This is truly powerful, because some things that are said, are not what you would expect. One that strikes out to me is, "Mom, I'm going to college." Amadou Diallo, age 23, said those words. This movement opens with a solo, sung by an African American student, with the most simple piano and strings accompaniment. There is no malice. Beautifully sung, the image of peace is present, but clearly is not, was not, in that circumstance.
I have been listening to this on repeat because I think there are a few things that are crucial to society moving on - people make mistakes on either side of race. If you're reading this right now, I need to tell you, I am not well versed on these cases, so cannot speak to them specifically, but can speak to the music performed. Another thing to share is that this is not a cause for a blanket statement that all police men and women are evil, or do not do their jobs, because they do. The idea is to address what police brutality may be out there, or is out there.
The second social justice program, we were introduced to, was the Ohio State University Women's Glee Club. Their program dealt with another hefty issue, one that addresses human trafficking and its implications. When discussing this, I never realized what an issue this actually is. This program was based on a book entitle Girls Like Us by Rachel Lloyd. The concert was entitled "Concert: Freedom". The program was comprised of different pieces to depict the life of an individual that was trafficked, that struggle they endure, and eventually the freedom that can come through perseverance and assistance. Ultimately, the Women's Glee Club raised money through this performance to help remove the brands from women, breaking the shackles of their pimp. This process would allow the individual that was trafficked to go to a tattoo artist and have their brand morphed into a sign of freedom.
Well, there it is. I am daring to venture out, and I'm not entirely prepared for the criticism, but we need to have conversations. Do not assume anything, unless you are assuming the best intention. I want to move forward from here thinking that we instead of dividing, are growing stronger. This forces us to get over ourselves, look past our political affiliations, our racial biases (PS. Everyone has them, even if you don't want to admit it), and do what's best for marginalized groups. If you have privilege, you better use it... because if you don't, the tables may turn and you may be in need of assistance.
Thank you for reading this emotionally charged smattering of words. Be kind, friends.
TGZ
It has been some time since I last posted and I have a heavy topic to discuss. Social justice is a topic that many throw around to discuss the inequities of our society. Typically those are talked through issues or race, ethnic background, religion, poverty, lifestyle, and a slew of other topics. I recently attended the American Choral Director's Association National Conference and was given the pleasure of attending a session entitled, "A Voice of Reason: Social Justice, the Greater Good, and Why We Sing". This was presented by Dr. Kristina Caswell MacMullen, with the Ohio State University.
Before we get into a thought about religious groups and the negative ideals associated with social justice, we need to first recognize that social justice was originally an effort of the church. The thought of life and dignity for all was important, and the poor and vulnerable were the focus of these groups.
Dr. MacMullen introduced the session to a number of contemporary choruses and their social justice iterations. The two that I will discuss in this post are related to those with a mission related to social justice.
The first that I want to discuss is "The Seven Last Words of the Unarmed" by Joel Thompson. The University of Michigan Men's Glee Club, under the direction of Dr. Eugene Rogers, performed this very powerful work. There are seven specific movements, dedicated to men of color, black men, that had encountered with police and were shot at, or were racially identified. This is truly powerful, because some things that are said, are not what you would expect. One that strikes out to me is, "Mom, I'm going to college." Amadou Diallo, age 23, said those words. This movement opens with a solo, sung by an African American student, with the most simple piano and strings accompaniment. There is no malice. Beautifully sung, the image of peace is present, but clearly is not, was not, in that circumstance.
I have been listening to this on repeat because I think there are a few things that are crucial to society moving on - people make mistakes on either side of race. If you're reading this right now, I need to tell you, I am not well versed on these cases, so cannot speak to them specifically, but can speak to the music performed. Another thing to share is that this is not a cause for a blanket statement that all police men and women are evil, or do not do their jobs, because they do. The idea is to address what police brutality may be out there, or is out there.
The second social justice program, we were introduced to, was the Ohio State University Women's Glee Club. Their program dealt with another hefty issue, one that addresses human trafficking and its implications. When discussing this, I never realized what an issue this actually is. This program was based on a book entitle Girls Like Us by Rachel Lloyd. The concert was entitled "Concert: Freedom". The program was comprised of different pieces to depict the life of an individual that was trafficked, that struggle they endure, and eventually the freedom that can come through perseverance and assistance. Ultimately, the Women's Glee Club raised money through this performance to help remove the brands from women, breaking the shackles of their pimp. This process would allow the individual that was trafficked to go to a tattoo artist and have their brand morphed into a sign of freedom.
Well, there it is. I am daring to venture out, and I'm not entirely prepared for the criticism, but we need to have conversations. Do not assume anything, unless you are assuming the best intention. I want to move forward from here thinking that we instead of dividing, are growing stronger. This forces us to get over ourselves, look past our political affiliations, our racial biases (PS. Everyone has them, even if you don't want to admit it), and do what's best for marginalized groups. If you have privilege, you better use it... because if you don't, the tables may turn and you may be in need of assistance.
Thank you for reading this emotionally charged smattering of words. Be kind, friends.
TGZ
Music famously has the power to soothe the savage breast. The medium of music to portray final words of young men whose lives were cut short because of deep-seated fear and in-the-moment decisions (which nobody can wholly blame) is especially fitting when it is vocal music. The words can literally echo through the lyrics. The music, as an "ear worm," can then continue to echo in your mind. The perfect medium.
ReplyDeleteBoth of these topics are horrible. And yet they are a part of the American Experience. It is a question each person should ask themselves - when will they, how will they introduce their children to these issues (assuming they don't already know about them).
Perhaps a middle school or high school musical performance is the best possible way (maybe not these particular pieces). You get into the lyrics, into the chords. You make the final words echo through the hall. You carry them with you. You think about what they mean.
Great post, TGZ.