Credit Where Credit Is Due: Setting the Record Straight
More than most things, something that inspires me to write is a deep and overwhelming feeling of an injustice occurring, something we could readily change, something we could see through to the end and make anew. Recently a friend of mine mentioned his love of Bilal after having seen him play live, which I know was a great show considering Bilal’s amazing talent. Truly, the man’s talent is beyond what can be articulated clearly to anyone who hasn’t heard his music and voice. Nonetheless, I realized something, which is apparently THE issue of artists and may remain so evermore.
What is it about human nature and societal leanings at any given time that leaves amazingly talented artists overlooked on a grand scale? Obviously Bilal’s work as an artist, being as versatile and incredible as he is, is overlooked. This simply cannot be denied. I started thinking then, man, so many incredibly talented figures have been denied. Shut Down. Societies have crowded legitimate talent out, exiled, removed, extricated, let down. What is it about artistry that floors us, moves us, our souls, our feet, our hearts, something guttural, something truly indescribable, that scares people off into a corner where they’d rather engage the cheapest thrills, the obvious way to go, the most basic emotions?
I friend recently said to me, “Anger is such a base emotion. You gotta get creative.” When tempted to reveal anger, we are called upon, as human beings, as intelligent life forms, to do something creative with our internal callings. We are called upon, if we have any shred of interest in developing our faculties, to do something creative, to create something different, unique, moving, and effective with our emotions. Granted we don’t always operate with this in mind, yet our capacity to get creative with our experiences and emotions is surely there, and oft disregarded or overlooked even when it’s readily accessible.
So what is it about the human experience on this planet, throughout history and it may be argued now especially so, that calls the masses to consume the shallowest, cheapest, and lowliest creative scraps lingering at the bottom of the pile? Is it that they are brushed in some cheap but apparently fancy gold? Is it that they reflect something back we have been searching for within ourselves? Incredible artists and creative geniuses have died throughout history having been given absolutely no credit during their life. Many were laughed at even, scorned, rejected, and treated like freaks. Imagine! Now we read literary giants who died thinking themselves failures as if their words have eternally represented some facet of human experience in no small way.
Consider some of the greatest figures throughout history who have created, performed, and contributed to the evolution of artistry at the hands of our species. Now consider how many of those were shunned in their day, or at least disregarded as second rate. One thing rings true to my mind when I contemplate how these artists managed to cope with the challenges they must have been feeling: somehow, some way, in this moment, I am redeemed, and everything that I am, will be, and have created simply IS.
The approval of the masses, the local community, our parents, our dearest friends, our peers, our creative conspirators, our very own self-confidence may never come to stand beside us in our creative glory. We may never see the unfolding of what we deserve. We may create and create and cry and cry and laugh a bit and keep right on creating and never receive the recognition we deserve. Think of how many artists were ahead of their time. They simply weren’t ready for him. She was too much.
The lover in me feels such a deeply profound sense of injustice when I consider these things. And this is connected to a variety of social phenomena, to be sure. As a species, we are the most judgmental and willing to castrate, the most critical and willing to slough off any shred of dignity from the heart of our fellows. This in no way is confined to the creative or artistic realm of human activity. It transcends this to be sure. It leaks into the very fabric of what we are and has affected the identity and right that each person has to simply BE. It is an aspect of humanity worth contemplating. One which inspired me to write this tonight.
So here’s to Bilal, and every other creative genius not receiving credit where credit’s due. Here’s to the creative spirit within us which is and always will be a magnificent reflection of everything beautiful, every perfect present. Here’s to the Creator, who has likewise been revoked of due credit for centuries, due credit for this inexplicably profound existence that is LIFE. Here’s to the Truth that lies folded neatly and reliably within each and every beautiful and humble attempt to create something amazing, something larger than ourselves, something which truly reaches out beyond and into the expanse saying, “See me. Please, see me.”
A remarkable light abounds, surrounds, encapsulates each piece of you, in all you do.
I see you. And it’s nothing but love. LOVE.
Tagged: creative genius, music, bilal, holly lewis, creator, creative, credit, change, truth, beauty
