Music + Politics: being good

My favorite drummer of all time, Max Roach, once said,”I will never again play anything that does not have social significance”.  Max Roach isn’t just my favorite drummer because of his lightning fast hands or turning the drums into a melodic instrument.  It was because he understood that through his music he had power to improve the black experience in America.  The quote continues, “…We American jazz musicians of African descent have proved beyond all doubt that we are master musicians of our instruments.  Now what we have to do is employ our skill to tell the dramatic story of our people and what they’ve been through”.

Political art can be extremely influential.  I grew up loving punk rock.  13 year old me loved to hear the distorted guitars and crash cymbals expressing angst against a corrupt system (even though young me really didn’t have any idea what they were talking about).

Politics have reared an ugly face.  I have most often avoided the subject of politics in my music and casual discourse, preferring to find unity rather than contention.  Especially since, like most Americans, I don’t wholly agree with any one side.  However, I am starting to realize that unity doesn’t come from hiding our opinions or avoiding uncomfortable conversations, but unity comes from respectfully sharing and listening to others and what matters to them.  

So I’ve decided to be more forthwith with my perspectives and desires for my country - both through music and respectful discourse.  I am not passionate about picking a side (although I am registered to a party).  I am passionate about being good, and I believe that anyone from any party, faith tradition or walk of life can be good.  When I say “good”, I mean being compassionate, humble, respectful, full of light and a protector of those who cannot protect themselves.  It is something I have not yet achieved, but it is something I am aspiring too.

I love this quote from a religious leader of my faith: “When I was younger, I was impressed by those who were educated , accomplished,  successful, and applauded by the world.  But over the years, I have come to the realization that I am far more impressed by those wonderful and blessed souls who are truly good and without guile”. (Uchtdorf, 2014)

I am deeply concerned with the leadership of our country and the dangerous rhetoric that dominates public discourse.  It seems to me that being good is far down on the list of priorities.  To be right is more important than to be kind.  To gain power is more important than being forgiving.  The dollar means more than the sick and the afflicted.  Lying and deception are pardoned unfairly as long as they lead to the benefit of the powerful.  

I am deeply concerned that the weak are increasingly suppressed and the rich get richer.  I am deeply concerned that the public cares less and less about equality and decency and are willing to trample the vulnerable for self preservation.  I am concerned that we can’t do a better job at agreeing on leaders of character, who are interested in being good.  

I am especially aware of the Christian need to act like Christians.  I am not pointing a finger at anyone, but only myself.  I can’t claim to believe in someone who is good and full of truth and light and then act contentiously and unfairly.  Christ is a heavy name to bear and although I fall short, I try and bear it honestly.  

I remember reading this quote during my studies at BYU from former Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, “Too often in the history of religion, people have killed in the name of the God of life, waged war in the name of the God of peace, hated in the name of the God of compassion.  When this happens, God speaks, sometimes in a still small voice almost inaudible beneath the clamour of those claiming to speak on his behalf.  What he says at such times is: Not in my name.”  Regardless of your belief system or doctrinal opinions, I think we can all agree on the spirit of this quote - to believe in God means to do that which pleases God and for Christians who believe in the Prince of Peace, it is especially important to be peacemakers.  

In conclusion, I feel similarly to Max Roach.  I will never again play anything that doesn’t have social significance.  For me it will be to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves.  To protect all that is vulnerable from greed and selfish pursuits.  To be forgiving and seek forgiveness.  To deny the oppressors.  To speak peace.  To promote beauty and truth and try my best to be good.  

“It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succor of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till.  What weather they shall have is not ours to rule.” (Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings)