Category: Culture
Why The Revolution in Egypt is Dangerous for Our Youth
Brian Kirk is a Disciples of Christ minister that serves in youth ministry. He writes a blog asking persons to rethink youth ministry. His blog is worth visiting weekly. Brian’s thoughts about the events in Egypt are insightful and provide another lens through which to view youth ministry. Here is a paragraph or two. Follow the link to read more.
Why The Revoltion in Egypt is Dangerous for our Youth
February 16, 2011
by Brian Kirk | Patheos.comI’ll admit it. I’m as guilty as the next youth pastor. It is so easy to get preoccupied with the latest teen hot topics – Sex! Drugs! Rock-n-roll! Facebook! – that we sometimes forget the broader world that exists beyond the walls of the high school cafeteria and our cozy youth rooms. Truthfully, sometimes it’s just easier to ignore what’s happening in the world, particularly when some current events and issues have the potential to alter how our youth see the life of faith. Case in point: the revolution in Egypt in the past several weeks.
Of course, the dangerous answer to this question is “Yes” and your teens have only to look to the Jesus of scripture or the youth of Egypt to know this is true.
the Power of music
Watching the Grammy awards last night I had an “aha” moment: the show is an infomercial to sell music. The performances were a live jukebox in a bar. Popularity didn’t completely win the night. People that play musical instruments, write lyrics, and perform won awards over and against the Gaga, Hip-Hop, Disney processed or Usher created sausage, and otherwise known as forget you “music” that mostly fills the airwaves today. The best message that Eminem offers is that poor people, no matter their color or place (urban or rural), have more in common than they are willing to embrace. Apparently, I am no longer cool or know what cool is; and I am cool with that.
Has there always been music that’s sole design was to make the cash register sing? Yes. But, there has been music and musicians that I think would have played for food money. Where is the music that questions the systems that allowed the financial crisis, that questions the corporate marketing narrative, or inspires civic reform? I guess I’ve got to add Mumford & Sons, the Avett Brothers, Arcade Fire and Lady Antebellum to my playlist. The power of music to alter culture, Woodstock and LiveAid, exists when harnessed for something other than crotch grabbing dollar signs or enriching multi-national corporations.
P.S. — Lady Gaga’s interview on 60 Minutes was very informative about her music and performance art. Did you know she grew up “privileged”? She seems like a reinvented Madonna.