Symphony of brotherhood

Radio Commentary

Several years ago a local sixth-grade student wrote a lovely poem that is very appropriate to revisit this time of year:

The conductor stands up tall, and taps his baton three times.

He begins to conduct the violins, and even the horns and chimes.

He suddenly stops, and lets out a big sigh,

He says to the players, “Okay, one more time.”

This is a story, it’s sad, but it’s true.

He does it, she does it, and you might do it, too.

The orchestra could not play; they were all out of tune.

The flutes played so softly and the bases made booms.

The conductor stopped and shouted, “This is not fun!”

“Stop making jokes. Now, all play as one.”

But they couldn’t play. They did not even try.

It was caused by the prejudice-ness under the sky.

It was caused by people hating each other.

Because of their religion or of their skin color.

Then we were not enemies, and we all joined hands.

Then we made a difference, all across the land.

Then suddenly everything changed. It changed from bad to good.

And the orchestra played a beautiful Symphony of Brotherhood!”

I think that’s a true work of art. It also meshes perfectly with our overall focus on tolerance — we might all be playing beautiful tunes, but to create the sounds of an orchestra, those melodies must merge and harmonize. 

We must work together to rebuild a community of beauty. We must celebrate differences while encouraging harmony. There’s real hope when sixth graders articulate these ideas so beautifully.