Thoughts about George
When words fail to capture the emotion I felt when I watched the savage murder of yet another black man in broad day light by the people sworn to protect and serve, I’m grateful for music. Here’s why I’m grateful for music in a time like this:
It allows me to cry without tears. It allows me to scream without disturbing the neighbors. It allows me an avenue to speak boldly about the injustices the black man has had to endure.
It allows me to change. It allows me to take a deeper look at myself and the world around me. It allows me to understand that in order for my world to change, I must first change. It allows me to shine an uncomfortable bright light on my inadequacies, and forces me to address them.
It allows me a starting point for civil but difficult discourse with my brothers and sisters who are ill informed and also well informed. It allows me to seek education on matters I might have been unaware of, to allow me a better knowledge base from which to engage in discourse. It allows me to grow, and not be stagnant in my thirst for knowledge
It gives me the bravery to put my newly acquired knowledge into action with protest, educational talks, and much more. Knowledge that doesn’t lead to action and change is tragic. Music gives me the motivation to take action.
I wrote a song, recorded it, and added a video element to it as a tribute to the slain George Floyd and others who had fallen victims to the jaws of hate. I wish I never had to write such a difficult song. I cried at some point during the recording process. However, the deaths of the many before, coupled with the advocacy of people all over the world presently, will one day make songs like the one I wrote a thing of the past. Till then, all I can do is play my part to bringing a little bit of light to this symphony of life we all have to do together. All lives don’t matter if some don’t!
I wrote a song called “I Can’t Breathe” by Nelly’s Echo. Check it out and let me know what you think?