Have you ever experienced days and weeks that feel like the world in which we live is out of control? That’s how it’s been feeling around here lately.
Just over a week ago, six people, three nine-year-old children, and three adults were killed by gunfire in their Christian school. And while no one wanted to promote the shooter in any way, their life ended as law enforcement did what they had to do. So seven families are grieving losses that are unimaginable to most of us.
A school shooting that occurs while the Tennessee Legislature is in session might bring expectations that now would be a good time to revisit our firearm laws. Indeed, as plans for funerals were being made and services held, Tennessee citizens, many young people still in school, peacefully demonstrated at the Capital, asking for common sense reform—the response. The Governor, Bill Lee, put out a video saying that this is not a time for rage, but a time to support those grieving, totally missing that anger and rage are a part of what defines bereavement. The House of Representatives would not engage in any review, or a few of their constituents demanded action. With the backing of his supermajority, the Speaker of the House did begin steps to expel three representatives from the other side of the aisle who attempted to be at least heard in the House. Speaker Sexton compared the peaceful protests to the January 6 insurrection in Washington, D.C., and gave the reason for expelling the three Legislators as being their “lack of decorum.”
Then came the weather. Severe thunderstorms and tornados were unwanted and not needed visitors to our area. Those were loud and flashing metaphors for the feelings around Middle Tennessee - raw, unsettled, out of control, and to many, very frightening. Then, last night, in this desert, we discovered the Oasis.
We had family in town, and when you come to Nashville, live music has to have a part in the planning. So we turned to the Mother Church of Country Music, the Ryman Auditorium. Breland is a musician who writes, performs, and produces what has been described as a “hybrid of country rap, R&B, gospel, and soul sounds. He is, by himself, an energetic, creative, and uplifting artist. Check him out: www.brelandmusic.com. But tonight, he was inviting some of his friends to bring the spotlight to a program for teens in Nashville called the Oasis Center. Their mission is: “Building relationships that advance youth well-being, amplify youth voice, and inspire action toward a just community”. The Mother Church was calling our community to come home for just a couple of hours to be uplifted by the music offered by talented artists to fill at least this tired heart with a reminder that there is hope.
One of Breland’s friends performing with him was the pop group X Ambassadors (www.xambasssadors.com). Breland and lead vocalist Sam Harris gave us a soul-stirring performance of “Unsteady,” a song about divorce and the kids trying to keep things together.
The pain released in this song touched a nerve. In the end, the audience arose as if to reach out to one another to hold each other up - our community felt unsteady - but we were there to “hold on.”
The Oasis Center serves the youth of our community. The youth of our community are leading us to demand justice from our State Leaders. And, in this chaos, bringing the larger community together to try to keep things together. It was a time of catharsis. It was a time to find strength. It was a time not only to help the financial needs of the Oasis Center but
also to remember that we are in this together. It was a great night.