Where do we get our values? This question arises for practically everyone at some point in their lives. The answers, for some of us, may be our parents, our family, our community, our genetic makeup and tendencies, our educations. Those answers - while primarily true - are also the obvious answers I want to move past. I, for one, have to dig a little deeper.
My values are tied to the people who revolutionize the world through art, the people who continue to push the frontier. My values are inspired by the heroes who use their influence to push for revolution: the heroes of classic rock.
Challenging the traditional expectations and norms of what is considered art in the Western world, classic rock never fails to address issues plaguing our world in a powerful and meaningful manner. Many are surprised when they see my family, a family with no particularly extended tie to this country, screaming at the top of our lungs when a classic rock hit blasts on the speakers. It runs in our veins just like it does for any American who has witnessed the timeless influence of rock and roll.
Practically every year, since I was in elementary school, my dad has made it an annual tradition for our family to go to a rock concert. I’m ridiculously proud of the collection of bands I’ve now seen, ranging from the soulful rock of the Doobie Brothers to the blue-collar, down-to-earth themes of Tom Petty. Stevie Nicks, Eric Clapton, Journey, Pink Floyd, and REO Speedwagon are just a handful of the many rockers we’ve seen over the years.
Roger Waters, the previous lead singer of Pink Flo
In our fierce love for this genre of music, we feel a deep sense of unity and belonging with the United States which has been unfamiliar to us of late. Bonded in our respect for this style of art, people of all backgrounds come together in a way that is political, passionate, strong, and beautiful at the same time. At every one of these concerts, I look around the stadium in appreciation of this force, this movement - and I know exactly where I get my values from.
