Lately, if you've been watching the news at all, you've been probably shaking your head a lot. From unjustified, racially-motivated shootings to terrorism at home and abroad, to social unrest and political gridlock. As artists, it's our responsibility to chronicle these events. We must paint about them, write about them, act, dance, film and sing about them. Art is one of the most accessible means through which people can process big, life changing, society impacting events. As artists we must help usher the public through that process of catharsis.
For me, a song like "This Is Life" is cathartic. I'm writing and singing about all the things in the world, in my life, and hopefully in your life as well. My point of view in life is perfectly valid, but my aim as a songwriter and communicator is to sing about my reality in a way that resonates with you, because at the end of the day, the human experience is collective. No matter what side of any of these issues you are on, it's paramount that we seek first to understand the other side, before demanding that the other side understand us. I know that's easier said than done, but if we can open ourselves up to the crazy notion that the other side may have a valid point, even if we still vehemently disagree, humanity wins.
The video for this song is meant to prove just that point. In America at this very moment, few issues are as controversial as the relationship that law enforcement has with minorities. I'm sure you have a very well thought out, well reasoned, airtight opinion, and if only the world would listen to you, everything would be just fine. I know because I have one of those opinions, too.
But I challenge you to make the other side's argument. I dare you to see things from the policeman's side, or from the side of the young black kid. See their entire day, week, month, year, life. Try and appreciate the narrative in their head, and even if your opinion doesn't change a bit, I hope you'll at least consider that the other side's thought process may be as valid as yours. And maybe we'll see each other as a little more human, and our experiences can be that much more collective.
I hope you enjoy the song and the video, and the message that I, along with the wonderful people that I'm honored to work with, tried to convey. If you did enjoy it please share it with someone, and hopefully, slowly, we can all understand that everyone has a story.