1

Throughout time, disasters have occurred whether it was a family member

becoming ill or a large-scale disaster such as flooding in Asia. There will always be some

time when you feel that you are by yourself and no one else is there. One thing, however,

will always be by your side: music. Whether it be classical music to ease a headache,

Keyshia Cole to help you to get over a harsh break up, or Cindy Lauper to relive the 80s,

music has always been a large part of life.

Many people have taken advantage of this need for enjoyment and pleasure. The

use of telethons, comedies, walkathons, and even cookouts has proven to be successful in

acquiring money for some charity. However, they pale in comparison to music. Music

has become a huge factor in the raising of money. Churches hold gospel concerts to raise

money to renovate their building. Communities use concerts to help underprivileged

youths. Even celebrities hold benefits concerts to bring awareness to issues of

importance.

Obesity is a rising problem in America. Many Americans are now so busy that

they are unable to prepare their own food and must now rely on fast food as a means of

nutrition. This has lead to a drastic increase in number of obese individuals in America.

Obesity is often associated with diabetes and hypertension1. However, many are unaware

of its affect on the kidneys. Obesity is a leading factor in kidney disease2, and Shad

Ireland wanted to relay this message. Shad Ireland is the only man on kidney dialysis to

complete an Ironman Triathlon. A benefits concert and health fair, hosted by The Shad

Ireland Foundation and Mack’s Miracles, will be held in Metro Atlanta in order to

1
Patrick W. Sullivan, Vahram H. Ghushchyan, Rami Ben-Joseph “The Impact of Obesity on Diabetes,
Hyperlipidemia and Hypertension in the United States” Quality of Life Research 17.8 (2008): 1063-1071.
2
E. Corpeleijn, S. Bakkar, R. Stolk “Obesity and Impaired Renal Function: Potential for Lifestyle
Intervention?“ European Journal of Epidemiology 24.6 (2009): 275-280.
 2

promote healthy living. This concert features local artists who also accompany the

foundation on touring schools in the area to further address this problem.

Natural disasters are a great cause of death and dismay in many areas of the

world. Natural disasters may vary from El Nino in South America to tsunamis in Asia

and even floods in the Middle East. A natural disaster that really hit home was Hurricane

Katrina. Category 5 hurricanes are categorized for their intense winds and large scale

destruction and usually leads to mass evacuations. In the case of hurricane Katrina, it was

assumed that the hurricane would die out from a category 3 status. Thus, many were

caught in the disastrous storm. The remarkable flooding along with the lack of knowledge

of the hurricane’s unthinkably perilous status and the lack of preparation all aided in the

massive destruction and many deaths observed3. Even today, five years after the

hurricane, many are still without shelter or, at the most, living in trailers and trying to

rebuild their lives4.

A Concert for Hurricane Relief was organized not long after Katrina had

subsided. Musicians from all genres and all areas of The United States of America

gathered together to bring awareness and to raise money for the victims along The Gulf

Coast. Although the most renowned and talked about, hurricanes are not the only way

that music plays a part in charity. Accompanying the concert was an auction. A guitar

autographed by the performers and presenters at the concert was also sold as a means of

raising funds for the hurricane victims.

3
John S. Petterson, Laura D. Stanley, Edward Glazier, James Philipp “A Preliminary Assessment of Social
and Economic Impacts Associated with Hurricane Katrina” American Anthropologist 108.4 (2006) :643-
670.
4
Daniel P. Aldrich, Kevin Crook “Strong Civil Society as a Double-Edged Sword: Siting Trailers in Post-
Katrina New Orleans” Political Research Quarterly 61.3 (2008): 379-389.
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Poverty has, for a long time, been a rising problem in the world. However, the

extent of poverty in third world countries has greatly outweighed poverty in countries

such as Canada and The United States. Countries such as North Korea and Haiti and

many countries in Africa have been significantly stricken by poverty. Many have no

access to things that we now take for granted. They have no clean drinking water; they

drink muddy, polluted water from ponds and puddles5. They lack proper shelter; some

live in makeshift shacks while many have no protection from rain or the cold. This, of

course, leads to other issues such as starvation and diseases6.

Bob Geldof and Bono decided to utilize the power of music to bring awareness

and aid to some of these people. On July 2, 2005, eight concerts were held in eight cities

around the world as a part of a campaign to convince governments apart of the G8 to

increase their fight to eliminate poverty in third world countries. These concerts took

place in the G8 states and in Africa. Artists from all over the world took part in the event.

The event was broadcasted on almost 200 channels and about 2,000 radio stations

worldwide. As a result of this event, along with others associated with the Live 8 events,

the G8 pledged to double the amount of money sent to nations in poverty.

It is clear that music is a fundamental key in breaking many barriers. Through the

examples listed above, as well as many others that have not been mentioned, music has

been used to extend its hands to many areas of the world and to speak to people of

different backgrounds. Music has increased the health and well being of youths. Music

has raised money for victims of natural disaster, allowing many to rebuild their lives.

Music has even done what many have failed to do: persuade the G8 to double the amount
5
Movement World Development “Sierra Leone: Dirty Aid, Dirty Water” Review of African Political
Economy 32.106 (2005): 643-645.
6
Jérôme Destombes “From Long-Term Patterns of Seasonal Hunger to Changing Experiences of Everyday
Poverty: Northeastern Ghana c. 1930-2000” The Journal of African History 47.2 (2006): 181-205.
 4

of money sent to nations in poverty. Music is important to the lives of many, not only for

our individual entertainment, but also for the betterment of the lives of many around the

world.

7
Tanguy Yves. Untitled (Wind). Sans titre (Il vent). 1927. Thyssen-Bornemisza
Collection, Madrid. ARTstor . Web. 12 October 2010.
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This painting by Yves Tanguy is an accurate description of two of my causes.

Like hurricane Katrina, the once lively, beautiful paradise, now a barren wasteland

destroyed by the harsh winds of a never ending storm, is left in an unlivable state, gloomy

and desolate. Like the poverty-stricken third world countries, there is no real shelter from

the storms that they face everyday. There is no one to rely on for help. Life is a stormy

desert, a walk with death. Tough times prevail, but life must continue. Nevertheless as

exhibited by the cactus and the small shrubs, hope is never lost.

Bibliography

Aldrich, D., Crook, K. “Strong Civil Society as a Double-Edged Sword: Siting Trailers in

Post-Katrina New Orleans” Political Research Quarterly 61.3 (2008): 379-389.

Corpeleijn, E., Bakkar, S., Stolk, R. “Obesity and Impaired Renal Function: Potential for

Lifestyle Intervention?“ European Journal of Epidemiology 24.6 (2009): 275-280.

Destombes, J. “From Long-Term Patterns of Seasonal Hunger to Changing Experiences

of Everyday Poverty: Northeastern Ghana c. 1930-2000” The Journal of African

History 47.2 (2006): 181-205.

Movement World Development “Sierra Leone: Dirty Aid, Dirty Water” Review of

African Political Economy 32.106 (2005): 643-645.

Petterson, J., Stanley, L., Glazier, E., Philipp, J. “A Preliminary Assessment of Social and

Economic Impacts Associated with Hurricane Katrina” American Anthropologist

108.4 (2006): 643-670.

 6

Sullivan, P., Ghushchyan, V., Ben-Joseph, R. “The Impact of Obesity on Diabetes,

Hyperlipidemia and Hypertension in the United States” Quality of Life Research 17.8

(2008): 1063-1071.

Yves, Tanguy. Untitled (Wind). Sans titre (Il vent). 1927. Thyssen-Bornemisza

Collection, Madrid. ARTstor . Web. 12 October 2010.

Saving Music One Cause At a Time

Trevano Dean
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Masterpieces of Music

Dr. Foster

October 12, 2010