As my mother says, without music this world would be hell--ask anyone who survived Pol Pot. The Founding Fathers of this country stated what the highest human goals are--life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Without the arts those three are non-existent. That's why we have museums, concerts, radio, recordings, books, etc. These are how we spend our leisure time. There are those who think leisure time is a waste but these are usually people who have more leisure time than anyone else because they make their fortunes on the sweat of others.

Even if you're just going to watch an open mic somewhere, you want to see the participants engaging in the arts not somebody working an adding machine and filling in columns with numbers. And the person working the adding machine doesn't regard it as leisure--it's work. And you just can't do it all the time. You need to recharge the batteries and revitalize the spirit--that's what the arts do.

Music can give those trapped in gang life a way out if they want it. Most trapped in gang life are not people who were born with a sense of entitlement to the American Dream. They grew up knowing it was not meant for them. So they view crime as a shortcut to material success. They don't care to play by the rules because those rules are stacked against them. They accept that and make their own rules. But music levels the playing field. It is a true meritocracy. Want success in music? Earn it. Nobody cares what race you are or gender or your education level. They just have to like your music. There's no affirmative action in the arts. You either have what it takes or you don't and you can't kill somebody and take their talent. You have to develop whatever talent you have and use it.

The lucky ones realize that the real reward is simply enjoying oneself playing music.