In the Summer of 1968 I went back to New York City to do social work. On some level at 21 years old I wanted to do what I could to change the world. Though the world did not change much that summer my life was forever changed and before the year was out going in a direction I never could have imagined.
Early in my time in New York I asked a new roommate and friend if he had any advice on what I could or should do. His advice was timeless and profound. "The most important thing you can do is BE yourself."
The truth of that idea was quickly tested when I was asked to provide music for a gathering of inner-city kids on a little island off Bermuda. The kids were African, Puerto Rican, and Chinese Americans. They were not familiar with the music I sang. Yet after a week we all seemed to realize that we were part of something we all needed. To feel we were part of something bigger than ourselves and all in this together.
Here's a link to the Blog Post Being Ourselves
Here's a link to the Song with Story When Johnny Comes Marchin' Home
