Time for the shouting to stop: (A personal view, but writing this down allows my brain to settle a little) I write this on the day of the Scottish referendum and whatever the outcome, there will be a substantial minority for whom the result will not have gone the way they might have wished. The No Campaign was not composed entirely of Westminster voices, there were many who came to that conclusion quite legitimately on their own, but it was the Westminster voices, accustomed to shouting in their adversarial political arenas, which made the most noise. Even when the message turned to “Please don’t leave us Scotland”, the words were delivered with a strident edge. In my experience shouting isn’t the best way to persuade someone to your view. Whatever the outcome, the main challenge will be to be good neighbours – and as someone with a bit more authority than me once pointed out, neighbours transcend all sorts of divides. I have often said that music doesn’t respect lines drawn on a map. Regional and national cultural voices will play an important role in the coming days, months and years, celebrating our cultural diversity whilst recognising our common humanity and historic links. Songs can deliver a message in a softer and potentially deeper way, music can provide a framework for reflection and dance can bring you up close and personal. I believe that we have witnessed the start of a transfer of power from the few to the many, but I don’t expect the few to let go easily. I hope that the reaction among the creative communities on both sides of this current debate is to see opportunities for further democratic change. Wounds from friends cut deeper and there may be some rocky times ahead. I expect musical friends to be more gracious in victory or defeat because they have been ‘educated’ through their cultural experience to believe in better and creative enough to make the best of new situations. Strip out the political slogans and I think that most of us would agree that we are better together, but like neighbourliness, togetherness can transcend boundaries, even National ones. Let the love of our lands sacred rights To the love of our people succeed Let friendship and honour unite And flourish on both sides the Tweed.
Posted on: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 14:28:48 +0000