(At the Kennedy Center)
The Kennedy Center Awards was created to honor those who have, over a lifetime, contributed positively to the American culture. On June 7th the 43rd Honors were held. Those acclaimed were:
Debbie Allen (Choreographer and Actress)
Dick Van Dyke (Actor)
Joan Baez (Folk Singer Activist)
Midori (Violinist)
Garth Brooks (Country Western Singer)
Of particular interest to me was the honoring of Garth Brooks. He is the recipient of multiple other awards. When he holds a concert the venue has to be large enough to hold thousands. And his concerts are spectacles of visual artistry as well as songs.
Of the songs presented at the Kennedy Center to illustrate his contributions, I mention two. One is entitled: Friends In Low Places. Here are critical verses:
I’ve got friends in low places,
Where the whisky drowns,
and The beer chases My blues away and
I’m not big on social graces
So I’ll slip on down to the oasis
Oh, I’ve got friends in low places
Blame it on my roots
I showed up in boots
And ruined your black tie affair
Well, I guess I was wrong
I just don’t belong.
Essentially, the song debunks contrived status’s that are intended to distinguish between the so-called cultured and uncultured. It communizes relationships by honoring those who often are portrayed as being of little worth at the bottom of the social scale. I salute the Kennedy Center for its willingness to honor such perspectives.
However, I want to share the words to one of his songs that concluded the ceremony and which I believe actually defines the nature of freedom in a democratic society. Brooks wrote this in response to the 1992 Los Angeles Riots – six days of burning that included the police beating of Rodney King.
This ain’t comin’ from no prophet
Just an ordinary man
When I close my eyes I see
The way this world shall be
When we all walk hand in hand
When the last child cries for a crust of bread
When the last man dies for just words that he said
When there’s a shelter over the poorest head
We shall be free.
When the last thing we notice is the color of skin
And the first thing we look for is the beauty within
When the skies and the oceans are clean again
Then we shall be free
We shall be free
We shall be free
We shall be free
Have a little faith
Hold out
‘Cause we shall be free
And when money talks for the very last time
And nobody walks a step behind
When there’s only one race and that’s mankind
Then we shall be free
We shall be free
We shall be free
Stand straight, walk proud, have a little faith, hold out
We shall be free
We shall be free
We shall be free
Stand straight, have a little faith
We shall be free
Here is my interpretation of these words:
- Individual freedom is not doing what pleases me. It is honoring the equality of worth of all other humans so I am inspired to be my most noble self.
- Community freedom is not some form of tribalism. It is grounding its relationships in equality so it is motivated to be its most noble self.
I have always been a part of that profession that sees its leadership as prophetic. What Garth’s words remind me of is that everyone who lives and speaks for the equality of human worth and works for the common good is a prophet – whatever their profession – because they are affirming the democratic covenant. Garth Brooks is a prophet.
Robert
Robert T. Latham
mytinglink.com
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