New Orleans cats don't play a lot of solos unless they got something to say. It's not an ego thing like it is with some other musicians. You say what you gotta say and then shut up.
Dr. JohnRead
The whole Lower Ninth Ward hasn't really recovered, but I feel a good spirit in my heart that something is going on - music is coming back slowly.
Interpretation
Despite adversity, there is hope and a sense of renewal in the community.
This quote expresses a sense of resilience and optimism in the face of challenges. It highlights that although the Lower Ninth Ward has not fully recovered, there is a positive spirit and a gradual return of cultural vibrancy through music, indicating that recovery and rejuvenation are possible.
In practice
During a community meeting about recovery initiatives.
New Orleans cats don't play a lot of solos unless they got something to say. It's not an ego thing like it is with some other musicians. You say what you gotta say and then shut up.
If you don't jump on the new, you don't survive.
In the German concentration camps, Jews wore yellow stars while homosexuals wore pink lambdas.
Sometimes good things fall apart so better things could fall together.
If we had done the work that we should have done in the 20th century to combat our history of racial inequality, no one could win national office after demonizing people because they're Mexican or Muslim. We would be in a place where we would find that unacceptable.
Always be open to new beginnings. To the universe, every moment is the start of the next big thing in your life.
And now let us believe in a long year that is given to us, new, untouched, full of things that have never been, full of work that has never been done, full of tasks, claims, and demands; and let us see that we learn to take it without letting fall too much of what it has to bestow upon those who demand of it necessary, serious, and great things.
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