A Concert for Charlottesville

[music]

Questlove, The Roots

Q: What message do you want to share with young people of color?  

A: We live in a culture of celebrity and the cult of personality, I mean a reality show participant is our president, because we live in such a celebrity obsessed society… It’s my dream, at least in the times that we live in now, especially now that I have one foot in entertainment, and one foot in the white collar world, I want more people to be more crazy about science and being lawyers and being more about business and education. I know that entertainment seems fun, but first of all I’ll tell them it’s a lot of work… Rather than fund someone’s demo, I’d rather fund someone’s app idea… I’m all about music and that sort of thing on my social media, but a lot of times, when I meet an 11 or 12 year old, I’m trying to tell them, “yo man, create apps,” trying to get prepared for the future. I want them to dream about being a lawyer. Now I want journalists to tell the truth, that sort of thing, that’s what I encourage more. I think that’s a blanket statement that I’d like to share with people. Being a celebrity might “seem” fulfilling, but it’s diminished returns. I’d rather encourage them to do something of substance. 

[music]

Matt Shultz: Lead Vocalist, Cage the Elephant

What advice would you share with allies and activists within the racial justice community?

I recently attended an event where I heard this woman speak who’s son had been killed by a sniper of an opposing country. And she said, “if you think that returning hate with hate is the way, then don’t even get involved, because right now we need love more than ever.” And I though that was really powerful coming from someone who’s son had been murdered. And she actually helped pass a law that in turn freed the person that murdered her son. She really had to forgive him.

[music]

Dave Matthews: Lead Vocalist, Dave Matthews Band

Q: What is the one message or action you hope viewers and attendees take away from today’s concert?

A: If there’s one I’d like people to take away from this, it’s don’t be quiet. Don’t say “I don’t like that but I’m afraid to talk about it.” Speak, because the people that will do you harm, and do harm to the things you love, and do harm to your freedom, they will not be quiet about it. They will be noisy, and they will say they’re right, and they will say it meanly, and you will be afraid. But don’t be too afraid to speak. You can go shaking to the pulpit and say, “I believe in love.” 

[action]

It was a privilege covering the Concert for Charlottesville, and getting to meet and speak with so many inspiring members of the community. I passed smiling faces at every turn, watched as crowds of people raised peace signs in grand displays of unity. Those I met with called for love and deliberation moving forward, and spoke to the importance of empathy. What a truly beautiful concert this was; you could hear the music, sure, but you could feel the humanity.  – Dylan Garcia ( @dylan, @untexting, @historyandmemes ) 

[action]

Peace signs up during Justin Timberlake – nothing but love from this crowd! ✌🏽

[action]

Christopher Chen, Senior University of Virginia Student

Q: “In regards to unity, what message do you hope viewers and attendees take away from today’s event?” 

A: That we have to come together, we have to understand one another, and we have to stop dehumanizing each other in thinking it’s always us vs them; otherwise, the violence and divides will only get worse. I also think that the uva administration should take a more objective and fair view towards the university’s history.” 

[action]

Sarah Lau, Junior University of Virginia Student 

Q: What is one action that you’re taking to address racial inequality within your community? 

A: “I’m on the Diversity and Inclusion Board for the McIntire School of Commerce. The program has a stereotype of being kind of upper-class and mostly white-dominated, so through the diversity board we’re trying to put on events to raise awareness about representation within the program, and trying to target those who may feel as though this issue doesn’t affect them.”

[action]

Pam and Family, Local High School Teacher

Q: Do you think today’s event is a step in the right direction for the community as a whole to come together?

“What happened on August 11th and 12th was really bad; we were witnesses to a lot of it because there were white supremacists on our street. Having this here today is making a big difference I think, bringing a lot of people together who normally wouldn’t come together for something like this.”

[action]

Sydney Macon, Freshman University of Virginia Student

Q: What does this concert mean to you, and is there anything you’d like to see certain groups organize moving forward?

A: “I think it was really good when people had different rallies and different discussions to meet and talk about controversial topics; I think it’s important so that people can talk about things that are uncomfortable, but need to be spoken about.”

[musicandunity]

LIVE from UVA Scott Stadium, A Concert for Charlottesville An Evening of Music and Unity #MusicAndUnity #Concert4CVille musicandunity.tumblr.com

[musicandunity]

Watch LIVE for FREE at musicandunity.tumblr.com, Today 6p ET. A Concert for Charlottesville DMB, Pharrell, JT and more! #MusicAndUnity