Tuning for Black History Month
Imagine with me for a moment that you have a ticket to see a world-famous symphony in a beautiful ornate concert hall. The orchestra features musicians from all over the globe representing every tribe, nation, and language. Each artist has spent years developing and improving their skills and arrives at the concert hall prepared to play melodies that will inspire generations. You sit down at your seat with your heart full of anticipation with the knowledge that the music you'll hear will be unlike anything you've ever experienced before. Then, moments later, the orchestra takes to the stage, and the lights in the concert hall slowly dim.
The concertmaster walks across the stage and stops to tune the orchestra. You hear the oboe sound the note "A," and then the concert hall is filled with a warm wave of sound from each musician tuning their instrument. The conductor strides across the stage to the applause of everyone in the auditorium. She shakes the hand of the concertmaster, stands at her podium, raises her baton, and then leads the orchestra in one of the most stunning performances ever heard by human ears.
It's moving and powerful. At this moment, it is the first time you've heard this melody, and you are seized by it immediately. The harmonies carry the song to new heights and occasionally meet with dissonance to add tension and intrigue to the piece. The musicians also move you as they perform. They come from every corner of the earth and stand united in this shared experience. Time stands still as the music takes you on a journey.
The music begins to decrescendo, and in a very poignant moment, the orchestra goes silent and makes space for a beautiful heartfelt flute solo. The flautist's tune pierces through to your heart. The solo's hauntingly sublime tones grip the attention of everyone who has ears.
Well...except for one guy. A man in the audience stands up in the middle of this performance and shouts.
"Hey! What's the point of this?! I paid to hear the entire orchestra! Every instrument matters! I don't wanna listen to this! If you want a solo, go busk on the side of the road! Just so you know, I know a flute player that thinks flute solos are a waste of time! Stop having them! Why aren't the trumpets getting a solo?! Trumpets never get air time anymore!". Even though you're not one of the performers, you're shocked and taken back. In a mere moment, this man attacked the vulnerability of the flautist's performance and robbed everyone of a beautiful experience.
February is Black History month in the United States and Canada. A fantastic opportunity to celebrate Black History. If our Canadian culture is a symphony, heritage months are like solos. Solos help our hearts and minds focus for us to hear something unique. The solo does not take away from the contribution of the other musicians. The soloist is also not attempting to conquer the orchestra; she's adding a vital piece to the experience. I think we're all the better off for it.
I want to encourage you to make space this month to hear new notes and melodies. Explore our local Black history, hear the voices and celebrate a hopeful future.
The mural at The Amber Valley Cultural Centre. Note: Willis Reese Bowen, the gentleman near the bottom right is my Great-great Grandfather