Spring Break
Don't stop the music
Paul Hawkins
Issue date: 2/17/09 Section: Opinion
Sadly, I recently learned of yet another casualty of the ailing economy. I attended the "Tribute to Motown" concert this weekend, an annual event that takes place on campus. This concert helps celebrate Black History Month and is a well-attended affair with much participation from the community. Because of strained budgets caused by the economic decline, this particular performance was sadly its last. It has been a successful concert for several years, and unless something changes, it will not be enjoyed again next year.
It seems these kinds of programs are the first to get axed when times are tough. Music cannot and should not be put away. Motown is one of the greatest forms of American music. The sounds of The Temptations, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson are part of our rich cultural heritage. As the gentleman who helped lead Saturday's performance pointed out, when Motown groups traveled south, their audiences were segregated. In many cases, a rope right down the middle is what divided white from black. The stands stayed divided until the music started, and then the rope came down. Music is a unifying force.
Valentine's night, hundreds of people from ECU and the community were able to come together and enjoy the music and each other's company.
The audience was made up of young and old, black and white coming together for nothing more than a good time.
The concert was meant as a way to celebrate Black History Month. I can't think of a better way to come together and celebrate some of the great contributions that black Americans have added to American culture. I am the ripe old age of 21, but I really love Motown. They just don't make music like that anymore. No one can ever come close to the soulful sounds of the groups mentioned above.
The performers did an amazing job, and if any of those guys are reading this - y'all were awesome.
Hopefully, someone important is reading this. You know, somebody who makes decisions. It really would be a shame to lose such a great concert. If you have to tighten the belt, isn't there something else that can be cut?
Uniting does not mean we'll always agree, it just means we come together as citizens with a common heritage to agree on those things that do unite us. Music is one of those things.
It is a powerful force that helps us grow together as a community and student body. Don't let programs like this fall by the wayside.
We need them.
This writer can be contacted at opinion@theeastcarolinian.com.
It seems these kinds of programs are the first to get axed when times are tough. Music cannot and should not be put away. Motown is one of the greatest forms of American music. The sounds of The Temptations, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson are part of our rich cultural heritage. As the gentleman who helped lead Saturday's performance pointed out, when Motown groups traveled south, their audiences were segregated. In many cases, a rope right down the middle is what divided white from black. The stands stayed divided until the music started, and then the rope came down. Music is a unifying force.
Valentine's night, hundreds of people from ECU and the community were able to come together and enjoy the music and each other's company.
The audience was made up of young and old, black and white coming together for nothing more than a good time.
The concert was meant as a way to celebrate Black History Month. I can't think of a better way to come together and celebrate some of the great contributions that black Americans have added to American culture. I am the ripe old age of 21, but I really love Motown. They just don't make music like that anymore. No one can ever come close to the soulful sounds of the groups mentioned above.
The performers did an amazing job, and if any of those guys are reading this - y'all were awesome.
Hopefully, someone important is reading this. You know, somebody who makes decisions. It really would be a shame to lose such a great concert. If you have to tighten the belt, isn't there something else that can be cut?
Uniting does not mean we'll always agree, it just means we come together as citizens with a common heritage to agree on those things that do unite us. Music is one of those things.
It is a powerful force that helps us grow together as a community and student body. Don't let programs like this fall by the wayside.
We need them.
This writer can be contacted at opinion@theeastcarolinian.com.
Be the first to comment on this story