If I Were A Racist - A reflection on music education in 2020

I wrote this poem a couple of months ago in the middle of the Black Lives Matter protests. I hope it resonates with you.

You can find the poem on my blog, as well as other bits of writing to do with music education.

#DecoloniseMusicEd

[SomethingWkd]

This is awesome and important. Thanks for getting this message out there Nate.

[singamajigeverygeneration]

Thank you for this Nate. We were just introduced to your beautiful and thought provoking poem in our Services for Education meeting. Your poem is a reminder to constantly reflect and I will continue to work hard in my teaching to stop and reflect and always be willing to change my practice. I will try my hardest to listen and do everything I can to give everyone the opportunity to be heard. There are lots of reasons people avoid these conversations and it is hard to reflect and see things you do not like about yourself or things you have said or done, but things that are hard are the things that are worth doing right? I will share your words and I hope it makes so many people reflect. Thank you again. I hope you keep writing and I hope you see some of the changes we need.

[MsCleggy]

Stunning, thank you for the power in this poem for music and life.

[stevencarr]

Of course, YouTube has shown us astonishing videos of 7 and 8 year old Black kids playing Chopin or Bach with astonishing virtuosity, smashing the stereotypes racists have formed.

With luck, those kids could grow up to be the next Albert Ammons or the next Pete Johnson, or the next Meade Lux Lewis. Those guys were brilliant.

[stevepalmer-drums]

Thank you for writing this and making the video.

[crustythewanksock]

fellas, is it racist to tune your violin?

[djroundhouse]

Forgot the so called "king" Elvis

[veronicakelloway]

if I were a racist I'd make a video like this.