Tunisia, Jordan, Egypt, Yemen and the United States civil rights protest of the 60s have several things in common.
1. Youth led
2. Protest against corruption and jobs
3. No DJ
When Chester steps up the anti-violence campaign again this summer, as I expect will happen, I hope they leave the DJ home.
In my opinion, and the opinion of others who attended the rallies last summer, they praised the events for the attention it brought to the problem, but once the speeches ended and the music started, the seriousness was soon forgotten as the entertainment began.
Let's set a goal for the number of murders we find tolerable and then break out the DJ when we meet that goal to celebrate.
I couldn't agree more. To often entertainment is used to deliver a message not just in rallies but in many causes. Look at any televised benefit and your get my point.
ReplyDeleteAlso of note, I think the location that motivational/inspirational speeches are give is also important. Many times they are delivered in churches, which is not a bad thing, but I think it intimidates many of those that should hear the message into not coming in to receive the message.
The best example of this I can give is a Tyler Perry film; there's a lesson in there somewhere but you know you're going to get some religion mixed in also. It's not for everyone.
Oh I agree, it did bring a more entertaining vibe to "Some" of those spots when the message was hoped to resignate more profoundly but I submit this to you, When using music and entertainment as a universal language, it can be a powerful tool. I hate to attend events where they are sooo enlightening and not 1 kid or person that really needed the message was in attendance. I know what our people like and like to listen to and it attracts crowds. But if I believed I could leave the turntables home and a crowd of people who "Should be listening" would still come, I'd do it with no hesitation but in the meantime while there is brothers leaving the corner to see what's going on then finding themselves hugging a neighbor or former enemy with at least a glimpse of hope that something different took place in their neighborhood then were gonna keep it pumpin!!
ReplyDeleteCory. Great comment. My post is no reflection on what you bring to the event. We all love what you do.
ReplyDeletePart of my mission is to 'push buttons' to get folks dialoguing, discussing, and debating.
As i hear things, I'll continue to put it out there for folks to react to. The more conversation we have, the more of a community we become.