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When I reflect on current events, two cliches immediately come to mind:

 

“History repeats itself.”  

&

“Culture reflects (and shapes) history.”

 

Exploring the relevance of these concepts gives me greater context for disturbing social trends and envisioning alternative paths to a better future. 

 

When I then consider the framework offered by evolutionary biologist E.O.Wilson: 

 

“The success of our species comes down to this; art creates culture, 

culture creates community, and community creates humanity.” 

 

I am reminded of the critical role purpose-driven artists and intentional music play in shaping society, giving voice to the disenfranchised, and rewiring human consciousness.  

 

History Repeats Itself

 

Flashback 50 years: 

The US is deeply entrapped in the Vietnam War; President Nixon faces impeachment for his criminal involvement in the Watergate scandal; the women’s rights movement is on the rise; the urban posterchild of the Industrial Revolution – Detroit – completely implodes; the Senate approves the Equal Rights Amendment (which then takes 48 more years to be ratified by all the States); and the Supreme Court passes the landmark case Roe vs. Wade. 

On the global front: Egypt and Syria attack Israel in the Yom Kippur War; dictator Pinochet overturns the democratic government of Chile and tortures any opponents; and the Khmer Rouge takes communist control of Cambodia, leading to the death of over 1.5 million citizens. 

 

Greed, power, and injustice have run amuck and struggling citizens are losing hope. 

 

Culture Reflects History

 

Enter the musical prophets of the 70’s, who use their voices and the power of song to shine a spotlight on Truth and Justice.

Soul icons like Marvin Gaye (“What’s Going On”), Stevie Wonder (“Living for the City”), Edwin Star (“War”), Bob Marley (“Get Up, Stand Up”), the O’Jays (“For the Love of Money”), John Lennon (“Imagine”), and the pioneers of socially conscious Soul: Curtis Mayfield (“Future Shock”) and Aretha Franklin (“Young, Gifted & Black”) show up to give voice, courage and hope to a disenfranchised populous. 

Their messages resonate far and wide in an attempt to restore the soul of a broken nation. 

 

Flash Forward 25 Years:

Hip Hop is dominating as the cultural platform for those fighting to express themselves against a resurgence in racial discrimination and police brutality (Rodney King and the LA Riots, US detainment of Haitian refugees); a new spotlight on gun violence (Columbine High School shooting, Oklahoma City bombing, Waco Texas standoff); a strained sense of security from international crimes against humanity (the World Trade Center bombing, Bosnian Genocide); a widening of the economic class divide (a decade of economic gains having predominantly served the wealthiest 1%); and growing job insecurity for those in declining industries created by a boom in the tech sector. 

 

 

Enter a Neo-Soul: A new evolution of intentional Soul artists who provide an accessible alternative to hardcore Hip Hop and socially unconcerned R&B. Born to parents from the 70’s Black Power and Soul era, Neo Soul artists were able to unify the conscious Hip Hop community with a commitment to authenticity, truth, and community.  At the same time, they paid intentional and stylistic homage to the musical aesthetics of the Soul icons of the 70s, who carried the torch before them. Artistically, Neo Soul combined spoken word (poetry, hip hop), real musicians, real-world lyrics, and smooth vocal stylings bridging Soul, Jazz, Gospel, Hip Hop, and R&B to create a sonic alchemy that was at once healing and empowering. 

Artists like Erykah Badu, Lauren Hill, Jill Scott, the Roots, Eric Benet, Meshell Ndegeocello, Les Nubians, D’Angelo, and Lina intentionally wove messages of love, truth, hope, and empowerment, while fearlessly addressing social and cultural issues like discrimination, poverty, and social consciousness. 

Flash Forward – Today:

With the extreme levels of economic, ideological, and cultural divides dominating the media and challenging our core sense of trust, hope, and community, I won’t likely need to give you a social-political snapshot of the US or the world today. We all feel it.

What I will bring to your attention is the statement by E.O.Wilson: 

“The success of our species comes down to this; art creates culture, 

culture creates community, and community creates humanity.” 

 

And, rather than propose to have the answers, I invite you to look at history and the power we have as individuals to use music, culture, and community to shape the future of humanity. 

How will we rebuild the Soul of our country?

Who will create the New NEO?  

 

——————-

 

For more information on NEO and the Soul Vision campaign, or to listen to the musical tribute, visit www.SoulVision.Community.

For more information on the author, visit www.FrankFitzpatrick.com

Creating the Amplified Future together.