June 11, 2021 7:30 pm

The times are uncertain and forbidding on many levels for most of us these days. There is a rise of all kinds of “isms.” We are challenged, during this divisive atmosphere to stay close and supportive.

Here’s hoping that America will have the wisdom and ferocity to plow under its recent blunders and commit to building another kind of world — a world of intentionality and wholeness and beauty and reverence and respect for the differences among peoples that add richness, variety and diversity to our lives. A rich tapestry.

Here’s hoping that in our 21st century, each of us will open ourselves a little further into awareness, into the capacity to attend, to listen, to see and feel what is going on inside and outside of ourselves; to become part of the “others”, those that are immediately around us, and those who are further off; lost, ignored, forgotten.

Within the heart of this threatened darkness, my Senior Opera Theatre class — those pillars of affirmation — every Tuesday and Thursday — through fierce determination, their courage and positive energy; through their immeasurable vocal talents, provided sudden moments of illumination, joy, synthesis, catharsis, exploration and celebration.

Let us never undervalue what our young artists do for us, for they are the alchemists who transform material things into things of the spirit. The hearts and minds, the voices of these young artists transformed into lives of others so that we may more clearly see ourselves.

Never were these young artists so important! Never were they so needed! If it is change we want, if we mean it that we want our country moving forward, more inclusive, more enlightened, empathetic and compassionate; then we must continue to teach, coach, direct, nurture, support our young MSM artists now and forever into their futures.

– Tazewell Thompson