Thank you for this honest account, Medric. My feeling is that there is
nothing more soulful than accountability, forgiveness, redemption and
fortitude. Artists who have what I consider soul musically exude some or
all of those qualities in their work.
I feel a little silly, but I'm tearful when I hear stories such as
yours...people who unlearn prejudice and then strive for positive change.
It's not an easy thing to do, as the path of least resistance in most such
circumstances is to merely maintain the status quo. I know you not, but I
find myself feeling quite proud of you.
And thank you so much for mentioning my dear Melanie! I wore out a cassette
tape I had of her eponymous album by playing "Candles in the Rain" full
blast every morning to pump myself up to attend the all white (except me),
affluent military institution in Texas where I went to high school. Black
and poor, I was subjected to racial vitriol every single day. Some of my
tormentors then are among my closest friends today. Mysterious ways...
Also, I regret not mentioning so many people on this list who I have so
enjoyed hearing perform over the years I've been a part of this community in
my soul artists list. Particularly David Lahm, Paz, Clark, Jody, Kakki,
Anne Sandstrom, John van Tiel, Bob Muller, Chuck Eisenhardt, Les Irvin,
Marian Russell, Tom Ross, Sue McNamara, Nikki Johnson, Patricia Hillis, Lori
Century, Terry Matlen, Wally Kairuz, Steve Mixon, Patrick Leader, Bill
Dollinger and many more of you who I will undoubtedly remember to appreciate
as soon as I hit the "send" button. Believe me when I say you all have soul
and you have all surely touched mine.
An essential element of soul music appreciation, in my mind, is "abandon" -a
thorough yielding to positive natural impulses with exuberance. The music,
as Medric said, can move you. As the very soulful Negro Baseball League
legend Satchel Paige is quoted as saying: "Work like you don't need the
money. Love like you've never been hurt. Dance like nobody's watching."
If one wants to have soul, God knows it is surely reserved for you
regardless of ethnicity.
-Julius
np: Melanie "Candles in the Rain"
Medric wrote:
> From birth I was taught to hate and fear and
> suspect anyone different from myself. Our mantra was:
> 2, 4, 6, 8, We don't want to integrate; 8, 4, 6, 2,
> Send'em back to Toogaloo. Toogaloo being a local
> "Black" college. Integration came our way when I was
> in 9th grade and at the same time I started listening
> to Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Melanie and later Joni
> Mitchell. My professional life, 25 years now, has been
> in service to a predominantly black community and I'm
> proud to say that the black teachers who work under my
> supervision and the parents of the students I serve
> remind me often that I'm really "one of them."
> Exposure to the music of the time, I believe, which
> came through at a time social upheaval here changed me
> and others though,
