Read:
"Change the World: A Cross-Country Conversation Between Babatunde Olatunji and Arthur Hull" http://drumcircle.com/
The "Introduction" (by Eric Charry) to Babatunde Olatunji's memoir, The Beat of My Drum: http://www.temple.edu/
In a comment below, discuss what you found most interesting in each piece. Be sure to take notes and to bring them with you to class. Also, it's much easier to discuss readings if you have printed a hard copy.
In the article "Change the World: A Cross-Country Conversation Between Babatunde Olatunji and Arthur Hull" I really enjoyed what Olantunji had to say about connecting to our roots and the earth. Olatunji stated that the earth is here for us to use and take care of for future generations. I also enjoyed what Olatunji said about the smallest things bringing people together despite race, sex, etc. Overall, I really enjoy the concept of unity and bringing people together.
ReplyDeleteIn the article "The Introduction" by Eric Charry I found the section "Africans and Rhythm" to be interesting. I found it interesting when the Cartesian Philosophy was discussed and how it also devalued bodily movement. However, it was stated that this caused Europeans to become even more interested in African drumming experiences. I also liked how Charry mentioned Olatunji's message that humanity fosters a notion of non racial essentialisms.
It is very powerful to see that one man could encourage such interest in a new culture. It is cool to see the power that his music had in uniting culture and promoting "cultural bonds between Africa and United States" (9). One quote that I greatly enjoy is "Babatunde has lit up the flood-light upon the universally human significance of primitive mores and customs, of which drumming, singing and dancing are significant parts" (6). A lot of this also relates to many of the conversations we have already had about the power to unite. Seeing this uniting force on such a large, social, scale is empowering. I also greatly enjoy the fact that while also being so empowering socially, he affected jazz music ("Change the World"). In his final answer in the interview, he says that "this is a mosaic." I really love how he encouraged the diversity of cultures and music.
ReplyDeleteI liked Olatunji's opinion of connecting back with each other as people by coming "back down to Earth", we get so wrapped up in new things so constantly and we get mentally isolated from everybody all the time. He uses every opportunity he possibly can to teach as many people about what it is that he is doing when doing drum circles in an effort to connect everyone back together. Unity seems to be a very strong factor in the case for drum circle facilitating.
ReplyDeleteIn the reading "Introduction" I find it interesting in the section "Hand Drumming and Drum Circles" that Olatunji basically helped create the drum circle practice but the philosophy of drum circling quickly evolved. Americans were strongly moved by Olatunji's work and began working on their own forms of recreating the activity and developing a very popular drum circle culture with little similarity to African drum circle practices.
Although it sounds cliché, it is amazing how much one man has accomplished in his lifetime. It is truly inspiring to know that Olatunji became and cultural ambassador and traveled through U.S. during rough social times. He was able to share African culture through the power of music. As we discussed in class, music is a universal language, and Olatunji was able to use that as his advantage in order to bring people closer together. To this day, the mission of bringing people closer together lives on. It is simple; by participating in community drumming circles you can bring people together to express their rhythmical spirit.
ReplyDeleteIt fascinating how drum circles used to always be accompanied by dance. The separation of the two was inspired by none other than Olatunji. Although this whole concept strayed away from tradition, I think the separation of the two made participating in the drum circles more welcoming to some people. People may have felt overwhelmed watching a traditional drum circle, but a more simplified version is makes it easier to grasp.
The overlying message that I took from these two articles is that no matter a persons identity, anyone can come together and act in unity in a community drum circle.
I liked Olatunji's reference to the chinese proverb stating that you should only get even with those who have done you good. Those are the people that are worth your time and energy. I also liked the concept of giving back and attempt not to destroy the earth because, after all, "It gave birth to us in the first place." we need to preserve it for future generations.
ReplyDeleteIn the introduction to Olatunji's memoir, I enjoyed the Africans and Rhythm section. I liked Olatunji's quote, "I'm the drum, you're the drum, we are the drum" and how the introduction expands on the double edged statement. Despite it serving to stereotype, it promotes artistic sensitivity.
"Change the World: A Cross-Country Conversation Between Babatunde Olatunji and Arthur Hull"
ReplyDeleteThe work that Babatunde did was amazing. It extended beyond just introducing a new style of music and was a means of creating a nation wide network that people could use to bond with each other. His work even extended a hand for more people that also share interest in drumming to come to the US to spread the knowledge. Especially in a world where so many people have their walls built so high, drum circles can really teach us to connect with each other and slowly tear down those walls. It shows us who is in our community and what they have to offer. Through drum circles we can all grow closer together as a group and really play on each other's strengths to create something wonderful. Not just in music but also in our life especially if we want to see change. We have to be able to connect and understand each other.
The "Introduction" (by Eric Charry) to Babatunde Olatunji's memoir:
The section that caught my attention was the section titled "African Drumming and Dance in the United States."
This section caught my attention mostly because of sections speaking about the beginning of African dance in the USA. It mentioned how it grew in popularity and even today it is still very popular seeing as many dance studios offer classes in it for example the studio I danced at was very enthusiastic about teaching it. It is also interesting to watch the growth of a new art form in a new place and for it to have survived this long is a testament to how valuable people think that this art form is.
If I could pick a statement to tie the two articles together it would be the following:
When a group of people are forced to take part in an art form that is foreign to them, their vulnerability will allow the people to come together and be able to understand each other.
I found Olatunji’s comments on our “technological society” particularly interesting. I certainly believe that this way of living has essentially “taken us away from the reality of the earth that supports us”. Social networking in particular seems to be slowly destroying the meaningfulness of interactions, leading to an imminent sense of isolation in today’s society. We should, by all means, advance with the world and make the most of all of the wonderful opportunities that our technology has to offer. However, we shouldn’t lose sight of the true reality of human interaction and the simplest things in life we seem to take for granted. Drum circles are a perfect escape from the screens that seem to block our vision of the real world on a daily basis. In my opinion, creating music is essentially human interaction in its purest form and is one of the most powerful ways of bringing people together.
ReplyDeleteIn the Introduction to Olatunji's memoir, the quote "I'm the drum, you're the drum, we're the drum" really stood out for me. I find it interesting how it has both a positive and negative connotation to it. People can see this saying as a way to stereotype the African culture, or they can see it as a way to foster unity.
I think it is interesting how the Introduction to Babatunde Olatunji’s memoir discusses the relationship between drum circles and cultural appropriation. The drumming that Babatunde Olatunji taught and played was traditionally African. He made it his mission to “expose and enlighten Americans to the wealth of African culture” (2). The drum circles that grew in popularity from the late 80s until now are more rooted in a “mystical universal consciousness…based not in African experience but rather in American imaginings of a global utopia” (16). Babatunde Olatunji aimed to spread awareness about African culture in his earlier years in the United States, but most drum circles now do not have the same levels of awareness or regard for that culture.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I don’t think that Babatunde Olatunji would be extremely upset or dismayed by the drum circle culture that exists now. The lesser focus on Africa (if any at all) and the completely changed philosophy – now one of universal spirituality and rhythm – might be upsetting. But I think the overarching themes of love, peace, and togetherness would be a positive for him. In the conversation with Arthur Hull he discusses how he aims to make everyone feel important and loved, and I think that is a huge part of his message overall.
when Olatunji met people of same color at morehouse college, I thought his responding comments to the students were quite interesting. Olatunji seemed to be quite humble in nature, and addressed the comments with vigor. The stereotypes America has about africa was surprising. I was pleased with how Olatunji represented his country and I thought it was quite interesting how Olatunji made his transition to the US as a cultural ambassador and how the first experiences on US soil impacted him and inspired him to be what he is known as today.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things I found interesting in the "Introduction" was how African dancers got more attention then the drummers. I would've thought that the dance movement would've been inspired by popularity of the drums, not the other way around. I also thought it was cool how in "Change the World," Olatunji not only helped Americans to understand African culture, specifically in regards to drumming, but also brought over influential African musicians. The seriousness and thoroughness with which he aimed to educate us about his world is inspiring.
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ReplyDeleteI thought it was quite interesting how Olatunji originally came with the intent of becoming a diplomat or an ambassador, but in fact the passion that he would put into his musical performances would act as a positive representative and it would greatly impact the US perception of African culture. I also thought the idea of spreading "the hand drumming phenomena" to schools and colleges, so that students might have an exposure to this type of community building teamwork and cultural elements at the same time is very helpful to enlightening our society. Similarly, in our technological age where there are so many new ways of communicating, it is important as mentioned in the article that "We are also finding the simple things that people can do together. All people from all walks of life, all colors, have various things that they can do together, and it’s the simplest thing to make music and sing together."
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize how powerful drum circles can be until I entered this course. I was afraid that technique would stump interaction, but it totally doesn't. Babatunde shared his African culture through music throughout the U.S. and it was definitely effective. In the drum circle setting, we are subconsciously working as one and like Isabel said, it's one of the purest, most ways of bringing people together. With music being a universal language, Babatunde used it to his advantage to bring the U.S. together in social hardships and I really admire him for that.
ReplyDeleteI personally was more intrigued by the interview than the introduction. The interview gave us the chance to see from Olatunji's point of view what he thought about his work. One of the quandaries that came up (unspoken) in both articles was that of cultural appropriation. Olatunji addressed that in the interview. "This is a mosaic. It’s what makes this country great. There is no other place in the world like America, right? People come from all parts of the world to make America what it is." I particularly liked that interpretation. Whether it is right or wrong, this combination of cultures is what makes America America. And nowhere is this more evident than in its music. Is jazz any less worthy because of the mixture of roots from which it arose? Is it wrong for that reason? One of the most beautiful things about the American melting pot of music is that nothing that gets thrown in is ever lost, nor does it stay the same. It is changed by a new mix of cultures and peoples and places, and comes out better than ever before.
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