Fifty years ago, on February 3, 1959, three young musicians were killed in a tragic plane crash. The lives of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and Jiles Richardson ended on a dark winter night, their voices were silenced. As the years passed, as the darkness of a long 20th century night of conflict and injustice deepened, too many other young voices were silenced. By war, by oppression, by disillusionment so deep it emptied their souls and left them mute. They withdrew into isolation and despair, the drums of war, the drums of greed were too loud. The music of democracy, the music of justice could not be heard.
A long, long time ago…
I can still remember
How that music used to make me smile . . .
Purple thumbs in Iraq. Red, white, and blue thumbs in America. We vote, but nothing ever changes. The music of democracy, the music of justice is still not being heard in the corridors of power.