Community Engagement Series 2: Peace Building Through Music

David LaMotte is a Tedx Talk Presenter. He is a musician and a peace builder.

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“I stopped believing that heroes matter much. I started believing that it is movements that change the world. That means ALL of doing a little bit of each, bringing our own part, moving in the same direction. That’s what a movement is.

David LaMotte

WHAT IS THE PRESENTATION ABOUT?

This video presentation is from Tedx Talks.

“The elements of creating music and building peace are often analogous.” In his 2017 TEDx Asheville talk, LaMotte explores the metaphors associated with making music and shows how they offer a framework for understanding peace work. Listening, practicing, interrupting the script, and striving for harmony (rather than unity) are just a few examples.

At the peak of an 18-year career as an internationally touring musician, David LaMotte quit playing music publicly from 2008-2010 in order to pursue a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Resolution in Australia, accepting a Rotary World Peace Fellowship in order to do so. These days, about half of his work is performing and the other half is traveling, learning, speaking, and leading workshops around the world. LaMotte served on the AFSC Nobel Peace Prize Nominating Task Group, is a consultant on Peace and Justice issues for the NC Council of Churches, founded the non-profit, PEG Partners in Guatemala, and has written two books that address justice and peace work. LaMotte has traveled to conflict zones around the world (Bosnia, Belfast, Bethlehem, etc.) to engage in conflict work, teach, and learn from frontline peacemakers. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. (Source: TedX on YouTube)

To do the tasks below and accomplish the learning outcomes, please watch this video presentation or watch via YouTube.

What are your tasks and the learning outcomes?

  1. On Your Own: To choose a rhythm or a music that would fit one’s community
  2. With A Team: To rewrite a song to represent a peaceful community
  3. With Your Community: To organize a music workshop for younger members of your community, teach the song, and present to the community (use #pylpismusic)