Song of the Day (6/5/2020): "We are the World"- Africa, Haiti, the entire world (?)
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2020
2020 has truly been a rough year, and we're only halfway through! Today is the 11th day since the death of Mr. George Floyd in Minneapolis. And the world of all Americans changed once again. There's not much I can say... but the collective action this one horrific, heart-wrenching event has spurred was truly powerful. If there's anything I learned from my time in the 30 week 1960's Cluster, it's that change is slow and legislations are far from the end of the fight. This isn't a political issue. It's a matter of morality, humanity and value of life. And if our country is ever going to improve, we have to learn how to respect one another. Look, this issue has existed for hundreds of years. It won't be fully resolved in 2 weeks, 3 months or 5 years. But we can do little things everyday to contribute and ensure Black people no longer have to fear for their life in while doing mundane activities like walking on the street or sleeping in one's own home.
Most of all, we all have to come together. Because this is our world, and it's our responsibility to make it a better place for people of all creeds, all ages, all racial backgrounds and all other identities.
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There comes a time
When we heed a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
Oh, and it's time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all
Song of the Day (5/1/2020): Alicia Key's "Empire State of Mind"
Honestly, I tried to pick a song unrelated to COVID-19, but this video is too good.
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I remember the day UCLA announced the transition into remote learning for the rest of the quarter. I had just gotten back from my very first shift at Ronald Regan as a volunteer for the music therapy program. I was really excited to have the position and work for patients, just by carrying around a tiny ukulele. It was raining and 4 o'clock so the Hill was pretty empty since none of the dining halls were open for a mid-day snack. I just checked my email and saw Chancellor Block's announcement: UCLA WOULD GO ONLINE UNTIL APRIL 10.
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Two days later, he would announce all of Spring Quarter would be online. Housing gave us the option to move out. In a span of a week, I packed up all my stuff, sent off my roommates, said by to my friends and closed the door to our now empty dorm.
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Goodbye LA, see you for Summer Session A.
I was really sad because I couldn't volunteer at the hospital to help out. I told the volunteer service that I'd be there to help once I return for summer school.
The following week: Chancellor Block announced that Summer Session A would be online. And I wouldn't have a chance to return until Fall (at least for now)
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In the crunch of midterm exams, I haven't had any time to play my uke or guitar. And I've really missed the music therapy program. But I'm currently studying the impact of music in a musicology course focusing on role of music in the social movements of the 1960's. And I'm learning more and more about music's power to inspire, uplift, and connect people in one of the most difficult and darkest decades of American history.
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The world is facing another crisis, one that none of us have ever experienced in our lifetime. But numerous artists have come together and used their music as a positive force to inspire, uplift and connect people-- just like artists in the period that I'm studying. With music as their weapon of choice in this war against the coronavirus, artists are instilling a sense strength and motivation in people. And seeing nurses and medical staff singing "Empire State of Mind"-- despite the fatigue, despite the seemingly endless flow of new patients, despite risking their lives-- honestly give me goosebumps.
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I'm not from New York. But this video is a beautiful representation of music's ability to inspire as well as heal. Thank you Alicia Keys, for reminding me of this. I'm not at the hospital, but you gave me my fill of music therapy for the day.
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And I can't thank all the medical professionals, researchers, grocery store works, and every essential worker that go out each day, risking their lives give our lives some semblance of normal living. You are all true heroes!
Song of the Day (4/14/2020): Anthony Hamilton's "Cool"
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We can shoot for the moon watching cartoons. Whatever makes you smile...
I ran into Anthony Hamilton's NPR Tiny Desk performance after listening to one of my favorite songs, Musiq Soulchild's "Just Friends." I'm kind of an old soul and love the stripped down instrumentals of old R&B and soul music which is difficult to find in our generation's music, where all the sounds are produced by a computer. That's why Anthony Hamilton perked my ears. When you hear his voice you can tell that "it's harder for him to keep the soul inside than it is to actually unleash it."
Hamilton explains to his audience at Tiny Desk that he had written "Cool" in 2008, in the midst of the recession. But he had this sense that people were still able to make the most of their life, despite the economic struggles that swept the country.
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Now in 2020 we face a different kind of struggle. Coronavirus has touched over 2 million lives worldwide and has taken away more than 100,000 lives as of today. But the virus has managed to disrupt everyone's life, even if they haven't tested positive for the illness. It single handedly paused the economy, this time of the entire world and not just America. Schools, banks, churches have all been moved to online platforms, closures of stores and businesses have many searching for any means of income and people are fighting over the last stock of two-ply toilet paper, hand sanitizer and the new Nintendo Switch. And it has introduced the global phenomenon of Social Distancing. In difficult times, we seek each others' company for comfort and strength and Coronavirus makes that difficult too.
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But it's also brought out many displays of heroism and empathy as the world bands together to solve the global issues to bring some sort of normality back to our lives. It's brought kids back home, helped us see how easy it really is to connect--though that may not be face-to-face-- and given us time to rest and learn skills we never made time for in our work lives. Times are difficult but Hamilton's song reminds us that it doesn't really take that much to have a good time.
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And with platforms like Netflix Party and Zoom's Share Screen option, it's easier than ever to shoot for the moon while watching cartoons with friends and family.