Because it was a public acknowledgement of a lifestyle.\u00a0 Because it lifted me up \u2013 it wasn\u2019t a trend.\u00a0 Because when I could meet up on the edge of a park to listen to the music, watch the DJ, and laugh at the cleaver M.C., I knew we were alive.\u00a0 Later, I recognized we could take over the world \u2013 if we just had a purpose.<\/p>\n
Why does music matter?<\/p>\n
Because until I could groove to Joe Strummer, I could not understand Guthrie or Dylan.\u00a0 Public Enemy and the Teacher made more sense.\u00a0 Because corporations think it more important to catch sales than to give me inspiration.\u00a0 Because this was the motivation for my mother and my father \u2013 inspiration for generations. It\u2019s always been there \u2013 when we fight; when we love; when we struggle; when we are being us.\u00a0 Because it defines us \u2013 we are The Blues.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s gospel. Because Bach might have started a movement and all great movements need and used it. Because Donny Hathaway still makes me cry and Aretha sways me.<\/p>\n
This Friday, during Coffee and Conversation, tell me why music matters.\u00a0 We\u2019ll be in the Howard Thurman Center<\/a> from 3-5 p.m. stocked with coffee and cookies<\/a>.\u00a0 Bring me the song or piece of music that matters \u2013 we\u2019re making a playlist.<\/p>\n Peace.<\/p>\n