The Contributor - The Contributor helps our homeless neighbors establish their own micro-businesses and work their way into housing through selling an award-winning street paper.

The Unifying Power Of Music

When I’m not writing about my customersCurrent events or things that happen to me in my day to day lifeOr when I’m out and about or on the streetMy attention often turns to musicThe words convey such meaningThe power they have on our mind and heart is astoundingA song can totally change our mood,Make us smile, turning a frown upside downThe words can stir our emotionsFrom deep insideEven those we try to hideMusic can transport you through timeReminding you of those you loveA husband, a wife, a child, other family and friendsIt knows no age limit,The beat, the rhythm, the words attract People from ALL sorts of backgroundsIt transcends socio-economic classes and stereotypesDesigned to fit us into a mold by a predetermined set of factsOver which we have little or no controlIt knows no boundariesIt crosses EVERY lineIt is impartial, blind to race or genderIn a world that’s SO dividedBy the news media, politics and religionI find music to be a respite, quite refreshing!Like the communities in which we live,Genres meld blending different forms to create something new and differentwith its own appealThat’s pretty amazing! Don’t you think?Yes, all of this can happen in 3 or 4 minutes Such a brief measure of timeYet it can accomplish SO much!People come together in a harmonious chorus of rhythm, and rhymeIn just a few notes or lines of a song!