August 27, 2015
(If we live with an open and grateful attitude, every
day will bring a gift. This is one of 365 gifts during the year I turned 70.)
When we focus on daily news, we see a world gone
bad with wars, murders, bullying, unrest, bickering and general nastiness of
the human race. But the view is much different if we spend time under the wings
of creativity to conceive new connections and lift us above the fray.
Tonight I had the opportunity to photograph and
watch a Baltimore group of musicians working on a project that will communicate
a positive message. Just like Michael Owen created 20 love walls for us to see all
around Baltimore, the Baltimore Song of Unity project will sound out love. Inspired
by the conflict in Baltimore earlier this year and wanting to do something positive,
these artists are working on a We Are the World type of song to unite
hearts.
As I watched them work together, I noticed the
dynamics of a diverse group of people working to build something together. Sahffi Lynne, originator of this project,
acted as facilitator as the ideas for both lyrics and tune were tossed out enthusiastically.
Everyone was respected and heard. As each person spoke or sang a phrase, I could
almost see these ideas moving like a tangible golden thread, weaving a unity fabric—over
and under and through. Diverse musicians were creating beauty together.
Some people have abandoned Baltimore, physically
and emotionally. The city’s problems are multifaceted, run deep and will take
many years to address. But rather than despair and retreat, artists create. Baltimore’s
rebirth may begin with its fantastic art community. I believe that the
potential of art is to turn ugliness into beauty, despair into hope, apathy
into empathy, hate into love, conflict into harmony.
My
gift today is watching the birth of an idea.
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You can find links to my other posts on this project here:
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