From the Edge Desk
Issue date: 9/16/05 Section: The Edge
- Page 1 of 1
In our deeply divided country it's nice to see people look beyond their own needs and come together for a common goal.
Over the past weekend, several TV channels hosted benefit concerts to aid Hurricane Katrina victims. Artists ranging from the Foo Fighters to Mariah Carey to Garth Brooks all lent their talents to promoting the relief efforts.
Skeptics would cringe because it seems we can only put aside our differences when faced with a tragedy. While they do have a point, it is still comforting to know that society is not segmented to the degree that it could never be united again.
As the relief concerts emphasized, music is a common denominator that can link seemingly diverse people together. Although music itself is subdivided into many genres, it tends to bring out the similarities rather than differences in its listeners. You might be surprised to learn that more people share your fanatical love of REO Speedwagon than you would think. OK, maybe not, but I do at least.
While grossly rich musicians giving three minutes of their time to perform a song may not seem like much of a donation, it's a sign that Americans are still willing to reach out to their fellow citizens. Music can spread hope and that's what America needs right now.
- Caroline Rohner
Edge editor
Over the past weekend, several TV channels hosted benefit concerts to aid Hurricane Katrina victims. Artists ranging from the Foo Fighters to Mariah Carey to Garth Brooks all lent their talents to promoting the relief efforts.
Skeptics would cringe because it seems we can only put aside our differences when faced with a tragedy. While they do have a point, it is still comforting to know that society is not segmented to the degree that it could never be united again.
As the relief concerts emphasized, music is a common denominator that can link seemingly diverse people together. Although music itself is subdivided into many genres, it tends to bring out the similarities rather than differences in its listeners. You might be surprised to learn that more people share your fanatical love of REO Speedwagon than you would think. OK, maybe not, but I do at least.
While grossly rich musicians giving three minutes of their time to perform a song may not seem like much of a donation, it's a sign that Americans are still willing to reach out to their fellow citizens. Music can spread hope and that's what America needs right now.
- Caroline Rohner
Edge editor
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