Most Americans, as well as, the majority of the world especially Third World Countries believe that the U.S. leads the world in all most all areas including education. But over the years as I have travelled and befriended people in the Caribbean, South America, Asia, etc., I have started to really question whether this was really the case. Are they not perhaps the ones that are the leaders and are able to give their children something far richer that computers, cars, games, etc.?
It has been truly an eye opening experience for me to understand the place that cultural arts plays in these people’s lives. From the streets of Brazil, the Carnival’s of the Caribbean to the music cities of the Philippines their citizens use music as a form of communication, bonding with family, recreation, artistic creativity and are committed to passing it on the next generation.
It was once explained to me that families spend their evenings playing musical instruments, as Americans might watch movies or play board games. Parents as well as their children would do this night after night. And these not-so-wealthy children would learn from their siblings, parents and neighbors to play musical instruments—not just one instrument but a multitude of instruments. Without formal instruction, often using shared and second or third hand instruments, they would learn to play beautiful music.
Music is as sacred to these people as their faith and with far fewer advantages and opportunities afforded them they still manage to excel and take great pride in their music and heritage.
So why do we as Americans allow the Arts to slowly disappear from our schools and lives without a fight, without a murmur? Why are we so accepting of this? Everyone seems to be in agreement that Music is very necessary and yet…..
Leave a comment
No comments yet.
Cultural Arts-In-Education 
Leave a comment