Recently, commuters in Washington, D.C.’s L’Enfant Plaza were treated to a free performance by virtuoso violinist Joshua Bell. Of course, virtually no one cared. People rushed by, avoided eye contact. Standard street hobo avoidance procedure. Even if this time, the ‘hobo’ was a world-class musician.
It’s pitiful that people won’t stop and listen. Surely, in over one thousand people, more than three or four must have an ear for music. Interestingly, all the children wanted to listen. The parents wanted none of it. That’s practically a parenting sin in my book. I enjoyed a childhood spent roaming around the world visiting historical locales, castles, ruins, and monuments. My parents continually lectured me on religion, philosophy, and history. Music was not an option—it was an integral part of my daily life.
It is a crime that both children and adults today are dumbed down and culturally bereft robots. Turn off the boob tube and put on the classical. Take your children to a fine arts museum. Please. Think of the children?
