Music to Our Ears - by John Cusick

Ideas are useless unless acted upon. At least, this is what I gather from the greats of our time: Socrates, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., each one of these men has impacted the world because they have spread their self-actualized ideas through their community, and the larger human population. These men seem impossible to live up to because their aura has been carried through generations, growing into the beliefs of a nation rather than merely the beliefs of an individual. However, individuals with similar ideas and less of a following can make just as much of an impact as these mainstream heroes. I was personally impacted by one of these individuals: Abigail Washburn.

A Vermont college graduate with a degree in law, Abigail Washburn had a plan to “study law in Beijing and improve U.S.-China relations through top-down policy changes and judicial system reforms.” She explains in her TED Talk that one night, she was emotionally transformed by Doc Martin’s folk song “Shady Grove,” allowing the hauntingly beautiful lyrics and banjo chords to completely envelope her. This was more than just a song, this was a symbol of America in all of its glory and awe. Since Washburn was so immersed in Chinese culture at the time, the sound of something so completely American impelled her to bring a banjo along to China. Maybe, she hoped, this small instrument could be the key to dismantling stereotypes, misunderstandings, war, and hate. Though I have no adoration for folk music, I completely understand the unity that Washburn feels with the banjo. I grew up playing the piano, transitioning from childish tunes like “Baa Baa Black Sheep” to mature compositions like “Fur Elise.” While sitting at the piano bench, looking at the blank keys trembling in anticipation of the next song, I felt that I could communicate with anybody through these sounds. The simple strokes of the piano could well up tears in one’s eyes or rejuvenate one’s sense of vitality. There need be no words when it comes to music; it is an overwhelming vibe that consumes the listener and brings them to another world, a world without question. Washburn recognizes how her playing a banjo and singing songs in Mandarin is an easy, nonviolent, and poignant thing to do. She is reaching both Americans and Chinese with a mixture of familiarity and the unknown, using something small to make a big effect. I believe the world could easily be a calmer place if each morning, everyone just listened to a few minutes of classical piano music, or even a chorus of banjos.

Like Washburn, I hope that the seemingly miniscule things I do will have a broader impact upon the world. In my hometown, I work as a barista serving coffee to all sorts of people. Besides the money (especially the tips), I can honestly say I experience pure enjoyment from drinking and preparing espresso and other drinks for customers. Each day, I see a new person – a mother, a son, a girlfriend – who is excited to try our coffee. Usually, since our beverages can be costly, people buy our drinks to treat themselves after a stressful week or a productive workday. I am able to form bonds with these cheery people as I take their order: we talk about their day, occupation, family, and even personal anecdotes that relate to the conversation. More often than not, I am able to surpass the consumer-barista relationship and talk to them as friends. Despite this being a brief encounter on a random day, the relationships I build with my customers frequently surprise me. I have had customers tell their friends about me, introduce me to their children who go to my school, give me coupons, share some advice, and even invite me to a One Direction concert. Like the concept of the movie Pay It Forward, acts of kindness spring from other acts of kindness. It is my personal experience that simply being nice to someone can go a long way. Though I am not improving foreign affairs, I think that making even a small group of people feel better about their day can and will have a ripple effect. Generally, we can all make this world happier if we spread some happiness ourselves, even if that is just asking someone what color sprinkles they prefer on their latte.

Basically, Washburn’s life did not happen as she had expected, but she had an even better time experiencing the spontaneity of life and what great things may come from it. Like her, I have made a plan for how my life is going to happen: graduate high school, graduate college, pass my boards to achieve a nursing license, work at a hospital while writing a novel on the side, travel to different countries and place myself out of my comfort zone, buy a house, and settle down. Let me reiterate, this is what I imagine as the course of my life. It is probable that one or more of these things will not pan out as I have devised, but Washburn’s story gives me hope that this will not be complete anathema. I tend to overanalyze the decisions that I make and the consequences that may result, often forgetting the power of serendipity. If I could get past my reservations, I may learn something invaluable that changes the way I see the world around me.

Washburn recounts one night where she met an orphan Chinese girl whose mother had been “swallowed” by an earthquake. The little girl sat on her lap and sang the most beautiful song in Chinese as they both looked into each other’s eyes and wept. In that moment, they were not defined by their ethnicity or social status; they were just two people sharing a moment of pure vulnerability and comprehension. These moments are rare but they are the most impactful; they allow us to truly see ourselves in another and accept that sometimes we can all be one race: the human race. My best friend is a black straight girl and I am a white gay boy: naturally we did not agree on everything. In fact, we would frequently argue over things that we found offensive or instances of oppression that we encountered. Though neither of us could – or may ever – fully grasp the inferiority felt by the other, we tried our hardest to understand and empathize. Ultimately, this made us the great friends we are today: it was in those seldom instances in which we both loved each other regardless of the circumstances present at birth, that I felt like I had found myself in another person. If more people can make an effort to see past the biological traits of others, then there will be less conflict and consternation.

Though Abigail Washburn may not seem like your typical role model, she has certainly become mine. She has singlehandedly managed to improve U.S. relations with China just by taking advantage of her vocal acuity. Even the most influential people had their critics, and I am sure that there are some who will criticize her efforts and discard her songs as a waste of time and money. However, this is no reason to stop pursuing the dreams that you think are worth achieving. If anything, opposition is the highest motivating factor in attempting to change the world. Washburn knows this – she is a law student, a woman, an American – and continues to work for peace and love. Success is achieved when the most prolific opponent is reached through the power of pure intellect and reason, or sometimes a song. Listening to the intricacy of Washburn’s songs, discussing the big ideas with my undergraduate classmates each week, and reflecting on how required course texts have changed my way of thinking is remarkably humbling and eye-opening. I aim to be one of those people that will be read about in generations to come: lauded, even loathed, for my progressive opinions and actions. Washburn has proven to me that although I am one, irrelevant person in the grand scheme of things, I can become as known and influential as I desire – even if I have to sing about it.