There is a lot of evil and hatred in this world, especially nowadays. We all need to have our own way of blocking that out or attempting to stop it from spreading. Mine, like many people’s, is the arts, whether that’s visual, musical or theatrical. Some may think that the arts aren’t that important or that they have no power in this world. The arts have great power: one work of art; one dance number; one stage show can spread an idea. I have seen this in action at NKU.
Religious protestors came to our campus last fall – my first college semester. It added a lot of negativity that day. I saw them tell my friends that they were going to hell. They told women that they had no place in school and they needed to go back to the kitchen. They told me that I was going to hell because I took a Snapchat selfie with my friend right in front of them. They were hurtful and horrible people that made students feel like trash, and that their life had no meaning.
Later that day, my Musical Theatre group was learning songs for our concert. We came to a very moving and loving piece – "Day by Day" from "Godspell." Our professor asked if we wanted to go sing it in front of the protestors, and we all immediately screamed, “Yes!” We assembled quietly behind them and started singing the simple yet strong words:
"Day by day
Day by day
Oh Dear Lord Three things I pray
To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly
Day by day"
All of the students went crazy and were genuinely moved. The protestors went silent and didn’t know what to do. After we finished our song, we just walked away and went back to the process of learning.
Once we went outside and poured our hearts out vocally, we felt powerful. We showed those hateful people what it is all about through song. The arts are such an important part of the world. Even if you aren’t actively involved, chances are the arts have touched you in many ways. When politicians talk about taking money away from the arts it potentially hurts so many people. Why would anyone want to try and destroy something so powerful; something that changes millions of people’s lives every day; something that can silence a voice of hatred and bigotry? The arts are powerful. No matter what, we must guarantee that they will make it through the toughest of times.
