REFLECTION

I came into this class not knowing what to expect and what I got was an education I didn’t know I needed. This class made me realize that I didn’t know as much as I thought, or as I should. I’ve never been very interested in history, which is ignorant, because history shapes and explains the world I’m experiencing now. It’s amazing how much can be put into perspective when you try to look at its roots. I’m still conflicted by certain things, and feel guilt for other things. I don’t know where I stand on musical gatekeeping. Perhaps I believe that we wouldn’t need it if everyone learned and appreciated the origins of music. But then I see the hypocrisy that I think *other* people should learn the history before partaking, meanwhile making no effort before now to understand it myself.

I think it’s important that we get these stories, these folk songs, from the sources themselves. I know how much the game of telephone can distort a message and I know how many journalists will twist the truth to fit a narrative. Though it may be difficult because these stories come from such odd places and odd people, we should try to see them for who they were, not who we wanted them to be. It’s dangerous to idealize. I’ll continue to explore music and culture, including the music of my own culture. Perhaps to understand myself a bit better and perhaps to process whatever pain I have inherited.

Thank you Tony for a great semester!