One thing that I find often gets forgotten in pursuits of justice and equality is kindness and respect. Of course, it takes a good heart to open one’s checkbook and donate to the less fortunate, and it is honorable to remember one’s responsibility towards our communities in any way one can. But I saw firsthand how, despite the best of intentions, the process of giving to others can be degrading and not at all equalizing.
It was in this very atmosphere of inequality in the sphere of charity and communal aid that I saw an opportunity for improvement. The Dining TurnTable developed organically over the course of years, as my passion for music production grew and I noticed the impact that music could have on all sorts of audiences.
The key is not just the music, as nowadays almost anyone can plug a speaker and a playlist into any room. The key is in the DJ’s connection to the listeners. The key is in the shared experience. In that way, music can be a miraculous vehicle for equality. Music is an equalizer because so many of us know the same songs and enjoy many of the same hits. My mission intends to change the dynamic between the distributors and the receivers of charity products from opposite sides of a table, to community members who know the same lyrics and clap together merrily while getting their holiday errands done.
The foundational roots of an equal society are one in which its members believe themselves to be included, valued, and cared about. It is a society in which its members feel empowered to pursue their own happiness because they believe their happiness matters. Furthermore, promoting justice through food and clothing distribution creates a sense of solidarity, where individuals recognize their interconnectedness. But my mission wasn’t just to help distribute clothing and food. It was to transform the experience into one that could be looked forward to and enjoyed by everyone involved. My mission was to make sure participants knew their community not only remembered to collect their basic needs, but also to create a space to gather and make space for each other in our lives. Endeavoring in this goal through events that also uplift, entertain, and spread cheer increases the sense of community and equity exponentially.
Music can offer emotional therapy and a calming environment. I have seen the way a beat brings a room to life, lights up people’s eyes, and electrifies a crowd. Through music, I found a way to gain further access to the basic resources people need to live with dignity, which helps create a more just, equitable, and free society.