Seventh grade spent time today reading the New York Times opinion piece “The Other Education” by David Brooks . He spoke about his less-discussed, far more important emotional education that he experienced through music. He specifically credits the Boss, Bruce Springsteen, for waking his teenage brain up to the concept of emotional connectedness and development through the rhythms of the E Street Band. His soul felt the music and it spoke to his brain, his heart, his consciousness.
Mrs. Twomey led the discussion with a very engaged seventh grade who quickly asked the right question. “What is an emotional education and how can it be more important?” It was impressive to see them quickly realize that the emotional education - how we deal with feelings, how we see the world through our own lenses, how we can see the world through others’ eyes - is something that stays with us forever. Whereas, the geography of ancient Egypt may escape our brains as we age out of middle school.
As they dissected Brook’s piece, grappling with words like anthemic and exultation (it is the NYT after all!) they settled on the important message within the vocabularian maze. Through his art, Springsteen has brought to life the universe he sees...and created the one he imagines. Seventh grade discussed the power of music to create a philosophy, to broaden your mind, to feel deeply what moves you. The Boss himself was quoted, in his inimitable, humble style, saying that Rockers have no actual power but, “They can create a vision of the world as it should be.” Seventh grade then heard his song, The Streets of Philadelphia written for the Oscar winning, 1993 movie Philadelphia about a man struggling to find tolerance after an AIDS diagnosis. Seventh grade listened to the lyrics and shared their impressions of what it would have been like to be diagnosed early in the epidemic. They heard the pain and the loss. They felt the loneliness. Remember, these kids have no recollection of that time and through one song, were able to empathize with an experience foreign to them in every way. This is the gift of an emotional education.
As Mrs. Twomey guided them, students shared songs by other artists who are speaking about issues that matter and imagining a better universe. Links were found in all the songs around tolerance. It’s importance and where it is lacking. They will continue to discuss the power of music to evoke feelings, create dialogue and imagine change. Some of the upcoming songs are straight out of their generation and some from ours. Schools, peers, and families all contribute to our other education. But, the professors of this less discussed education vary for all of us. What is the curriculum of your emotional education? What music made you think for the first time? Share it with your kids. Here are the songs they will be looking at moving forward during this month of Teaching Tolerance.
Roar - (2013) Katy Perry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2f501YWxso
Born this Way - (2011) Lady Gaga https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BsLd4Y060Q
Where is the Love - (2003) The Black Eyed Peas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EICNm-Ow0ms
What's Going On - (1971) Marvin Gaye https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6jKE6YIxmc
Imagine - (1971) John Lennon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwUGSYDKUxU
We Shall Overcome - (1962) Joan Baez https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY9_KE1SEig