Drums Not Guns - An Alternative to Violence

Drums Not Guns

An Alternative to Violence

A Community Report by: Barbara Samargis

Cultural Diversity

Professor Slawson

National University

5-13-08

Deep in the heart of Texas there is an organization that serves the community by teaching peaceful outlets as alternatives to violence. Based in Dallas, Drums Not Guns is a multi-cultural based, non-discriminatory group whose goal is to create a peaceful community through African drumming (Ode 2008). Drumming is a spiritual experience that must be felt. It creates a peaceful awareness of not only our surroundings but of each other. This group feels that when people come together in a drumming circle to play and enjoy music, they form a greater understanding of our common humanity and reliance (Happy Drums). We have learned that race is socially constructed, it is not natural, universal, or inevitable, yet has a real effect on our lives (Unit 1, lecture) If we can do away with racial thoughts and think as one like DNG we would be a better nation. Drumming provides youth and adults with creative ways to re-channel negative energy, diffuse anger, build team spirit and self worth, and build self esteem (DNG.org). This is a way to interrupt the cycles of oppression and violence that intrude in our lives (Rothenberg 2007. pg.724). It not just about drumming it’s about learning each other and building a community of human beings. With every human being.

Shel Wiseman is a semi-retired insurance man who discovered his interest in drums and it became a way of life for him. He found his love of hand drumming at the International Men’s Conference that is held in Austin, Texas every year. He loved the calming, peaceful feeling he got placing his hands on the drum. In 1992 he was told by his mentor, Babatunde, to go and spread peace through drumming. Since that conversation that is exactly what he has strived to do. In 1994, Shel noticed that the drumming community was not very organized and had poor communication with each other. Happy Shel, as he became known because he was so happy playing his drum, changed all that. By using his internet and telecommunication skills he helped network drummers in the state of Texas through the webpage drums.org (Happy Drums). The site covers everything, such as looking for drum circles, drum and dance instructors, workshops, and instruments. He also has a tribute to his mentor Babtunde Olatunji and much information about his African village, and links to the DNG websites. This is a huge part of who Happy Shel is and what his mission in life is (Happy Drums). Not only does his site support Texas drummers, but other states with drumming circles are listed as well. This allows a better outreach to not only local drumming communities but the brotherhood across the nation.

In 1995 Happy founded DNG, a FUN 501 non-profit membership organization located in Dallas, devoted to stopping violence and increasing peace. This organization runs completely on donations and volunteers. Happy observed the effect that drumming had on upset, angry people. He felt the negative energies that society expresses could be changed into positive activities through drumming, so that positive values and actions would be the end result (Happy Drums). Since then, he has seen many changes in attitudes, not just in our community’s youth but in all the people that come together in the drumming circles.

Just so we’re clear. “A drumming circle is a noisy, fun, family friendly event where people come together in order to share their spirit by joining rhythmically as a percussion ensemble.” They enjoy community and celebrate life together through music. As they play they give each other an emotional massage, an emotional release and healing (Hull). Who couldn’t use that? From all accounts, these are so much fun and create so much unity that I have decided to go to the next one that is offered. I have also been invited to join them on Saturday mornings for their drumming class. Not everyone has to own a drum. There are always drums available for anyone who wants to join in.

Speaking to the Media and Communication Director, Suzann Brown, I received much information about DNG. She spoke very enthusiastically about this group she belongs to. When you meet any of these participants you get the feeling of peace and unity just by talking to them, so it’s not hard to imagine the effects they have on the youth. Suzanna told me it is impossible to walk away from these circles unaffected. Everyone bonds and everyone has a sense of belonging to something better (Brown Interview). She feels so passionately about DNG she took it to the Women’s International Peace Conference. This group has no gender boundaries such as the ones we read about in our text (Rothenberg 2007. pg.57). DNG has many people on their advisory board that all contribute their valuable personal time on a daily basis. They are from all walks of life and have many different occupations. The two things they do have in common is their love for drumming and their dedication to creating a peaceful world for all races, and cultures. They don’t just find the time, but make the time for our youth. They are clearly “allies” in the way they are taking personal responsibility for the changes they know are needed in our society (Rothenberg 2007. pg724). They believe that if we can foster a common understanding now, then our future will be a better one for all (DNG.org). Dr Eck told us that “shaping a vibrant democratic society from all this diversity is an important challenge of our time” (Eck.2005). This group is trying very hard to do just that.

In most large cities there are organizations dedicated to one group or another. They supply support and guidance for a certain religion or a certain race. This organization is supportive of every race, religion, and culture. No one is excluded. Everyone has a chance to play and everyone’s part is an important piece of the music or dance (Watkins Interview). The participants not only learn how to play a drum, they learn about many different kinds of drums, such as the djun-djun and the djembe, and what sounds they make, and they learn many dances. They learn unity and community through the circles. Mostly they learn about each other, they learn to trust and love, and how we can all live together peacefully as one human race. Like our text describes effective strategies for curing the inequalities in our nation (Unit 3 lecture), this group is an effective strategy itself by not only teaching peace and unity but living it. Everyone is welcome, and everyone belongs.

Drums Not Guns would like to spread the awareness of the positive impact this simple principle has had on the community. I spoke to Lucy Watkins, who is a participant in the drumming classes and circles. She told me that she has seen first hand what a difference DNG has made in many community youths lives (Watkins Interview). There are some at-risk youths that have no other positive interactions in their lives. There are some that come from single parent homes where the parent loves them but works most of the time just to get by. There are those who really don’t have anyone else that cares to spend any time with or listen to them. Some are those trying to combat peer pressure to join the wrongs groups. Then there are some who just find their way to the group and discover a welcoming family that they want to be a part of. DNG is a wonderful group of people committed to serving the community in many capacities. Not only do they teach the art of drumming, they also help our youth to feel wanted. They give them a safe, non-violent place to turn, and a sense of belonging (Watkins Interview).

This group has grown and is dedicated to spreading the experience across the United States. Making this art accessible to everyone to create safety and community, and so everyone can experience drumming and dance. These are very powerful forms of self-expression that create a sense of belonging in a positive way. There are many drumming communities across the United States dedicated to stopping violence in our youth through the power of percussion. Happy’s website connects drum communities from Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Colorado.

I have interviewed two of the DNG group, a board member and a participant, and they both have touched my heart with the caring and understanding they put out there everyday for every person that wants to know what DNG is all about. They not only get involved in the drumming, they help the young teens to know that they are a valuable contribution to our society. This group is the essence of what community means. Institutional racism is when a group produces inequalities based on customs, practices, and structural conditions (Cultural Diversity course Intro). DNG has no personal or institutionalized racism in their group. Everyone is part of each other.

Through the spiritual experience of drumming, Drums Not Guns is creating a peaceful awareness of community and self worth for everyone. Forming a greater understanding of our common humanity is a goal we all need to appreciate. As we come together we forget our racial differences, we forget our religious differences, and we forget our cultural differences. We are a race of humans and we really are all in this together. And when they say “we” they really do mean we as a nation of people (Eck. 2005). In the troubled times we live in I believe DNG to be not only refreshingly different, but a valuable part of my community. Not only are they IN the heart of Texas but they may very well BE the heart of Texas.

Cites

Drums Not Guns. March 12, 2008. http://www.drums.org

Eck, Diana. (2005) “On Common Ground” A New Look at America’s Religious Diversity. March 23, 2008. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=290178256254732354&pr=goog-sl

Hull, A. (2008) Drum Circles. “What is a Community Drum Circle?” March 26, 2008. http://www.rhythmweb.com/circle/index,html

Happy Drums. Happy Shel’s Pfun Drumming Bio. March 16, 2008. http://www.happydrums.com/pfunbio.htm

Brown Interview. (2008) Personal Interview with DNG Media & Communications Director- Dallas. On March 21, 2008.

Ode Magazine. (2007). “Drums Not Guns” March 12, 2008. http://www.odemagazine.com/exchange/print/1244

Rothenberg, P. (2007) Race, Class, and Gender in the United States, seventh edition. New York. N.Y. Worth Publishers.

Watkins Interview. (2008) Personal Interview with DNG Participant. On March 27, 2008.