John’s Blog

This summer, Joel, the guy who leads the youth group music stuff (whom i play bass for) went away for a few weeks. He asked me to take over while he was gone, and it was an interesting experience. It stretched my musical abilities, of course, singing isn’t something I had usually done by myself before (I usually sing harmony parts) but that wasn’t the hardest part.  it wasn’t so much the leading the music part, I felt pretty at home there, music is one of my favorite things in the world. Having the responsibility changed my relationships a little. I’m not making it out to be a super big deal or anything, but when the musicians are your brother, best friend, and various people your own age who have grown up with you, a little change is dynamic can be interesting. I am really grateful none of them ran me off with an angry mob, they all really helped a lot giving their own ideas but also respecting mine. I have a whole new level of respect for leaders in any situation or genre now, because with a little authority was a lot harder to handle than i thought.

Going along with my previous post, i was thinking about why educational, historical cinematic endevours work. they do because they come out at a time when a younger generation needs telling, the older enjoys to reminisce about the good ol’ days. Even if they weren’t so good.. that’s reason #2! they come out when enough time has elapsed that society at large can handle a dramatic representation of the past, imagine a Vet watching “band of brothers” a soon as he got home, that’s a heart attack waiting to happen. Now, when that same Vet is in his upper 70’s, willing to share his story, writing books and going to reunions, he can handle even helping create “Band of brothers” adding his memories, comments and stories to the mix. His kids get to see what Dad really did go through, and the grankids are awed at the hero that grampa really was. (or uncle, or cousin, or neighbor, insert your common experience here) And reason #3, the past si something that families can rally around and learn about together. The future may be unceratin, but we can take comfort in our (however shameful or gruesome) past.

Remember the Titans is such a great movie. It’s one of my favorites… Sure, it can be cliche, predictable and corny, but its a classic!

I really encourage every one and anyone to see this movie.. because one, its a great movie, and two, theres a difference between reading about segregation and civil rights in your history textbook and actually having it brought home to you in a way thats relatable and understandable. At least for me, thats what the movie did.. it took a fairly unbaised look at the story and whatnot, and it may have reinforced some sterotypes, but I think the positive feeling of the movie wins out.

It was based on a true story, and you can read up on that here- http://www.71originaltitans.com/

cheers!