In Durham, North Carolina, the Triangle Gay Men’s Chorus honored Black History Month with a focus on social justice. They presented two performances dedicated to acknowledging the impact of police brutality and systemic inequity.
Highlights
- The Triangle Gay Men’s Chorus staged a concert centered on social justice
- The musical pieces aimed to honor individuals affected by police brutality
- Their objective is to promote unity and encourage positive change
- The Triangle Gay Men’s Chorus staged a concert centered on social justice
- The musical pieces aimed to honor individuals affected by police brutality
- Their objective is to promote unity and encourage positive change
The selection of songs was intentional, paying tribute to those whose lives have been impacted by systemic inequities, as mentioned by Artistic Director Stanley Wilson. It serves as a collective acknowledgement of the harsh realities present in our society.
The Triangle Gay Men’s Chorus rehearses their set with a string quintet
Stanley Wilson expressed, “It starts with these two, you know, substantial pieces, heavier, around individuals that have been killed, Black men and women that have been killed by police officers. Hopefully it’s this ability to take the audience along on that journey of knowing that yeah, these bad things, terrible things happen in the world, but through the power of music, we can find hope and inspiration and come through them.”
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Lisa Jones delivers her oration as part of the concert
Lisa Jones, the orator for this concert, brings a unique perspective having spent three decades working in law enforcement.
“I feel like there is no greater work that we could do as humans on this planet than work toward justice,” Jones stated.
The concert aims to shed light on contemporary societal truths while instilling a sense of togetherness and motivating positive transformation among the audience.
“It’s a universal language, you know, song – it’s something that we feel in our bodies instead of picking apart in our brains,” Jones emphasized. “That is what so much of this work is. It’s being willing to come down out of our heads and into our hearts.”
Quoting Elvis Costello, Jones remarked that a song has the power to touch our hearts and subsequently lead to a change in mindset.
