Re: The Suburban Station Violinist

In an earlier blog post, I ranted and raved about this kid who I have seen for a couple of years now playing, very skillfully, his violin on the concourse of Suburban Station.

Since SEPTA is my primary form of transportation ( I have a car but with all this teacher money I make, I cannot afford to fix my baby up...story for another day) I frequently happen upon many "writeable" events. Riding the 13 trolley, moments ago, through Southwest Philly Mr. Violinist himself, Sean Bennett, boarded with a female companion.

I looked around the trolley to see if any of the other passengers' faces revealed that they knew who this young man was. No revelatory faces. With that, I really wanted become a "writeable" moment myself and stand to give this young man his props before the entire trolley, but decided against it. Instead I resolved to give him what we call in church, a Holy Ghost handshake (dropping a few dollars in his hand then walking away).

Why am I hype? As I stated before, he is a young, black male with a gift! If we were to undergo a psychological exercise and I were to say, "black teenage boy", what would immediately come to mind? Pants saggin', snap back wearin thug? Criminal? Jail? No good? Waste? SMH? Sean, among many other young black males, who aren't the "top story" on the 5pm newscasts, create the contrasting and alternative images that we all need to have of the black male.

As a teacher, I see my students for what they will become! Sean is like one of my students and I am excited for his future!! Sean could very well have been my student a few years back.

I really want him to get his own special report on one of the local networks. Searching the internet, I did find this philly.com article. Click, read, and enjoy:
http://articles.philly.com/2011-02-01/news/27092982_1_young-musicians-tina-davidson-rehearsal

There are many Seans out there! Some sit in our classrooms and many are pants-saggin, snap-back wearin thugs who have been to jail! They're just waiting for someone to tap into their untapped potential, waiting for that metaphoric "Holy Ghost" handshake!!

Young, black, male, and plays classical!!

Anyone who frequents SEPTA's Suburban Station in downtown Philadelphia would undoubtedly happen upon a young man who plays his violin with such skill and finesse, that you could easily miss your train listening to him go!!

There are many performers stationed throughout SEPTA's underground market place and main regional rail train station which spans several city blocks, but this kid takes the cake!
I briefly engaged him in a short conversation once in between performances. He goes to the High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) in South Philly. Note: CAPA is a PUBLIC high school!!!!

Though he goes to CAPA, he doesn't necessarily attribute his love of classical music and violin playing to CAPA. The environment, however, nurtures and promotes arts love with majors such as: Creative Writing, Instrumental Music, Visual Arts, Theater, Dance, and Vocal Music.

When I asked him what his gaols were, where he sees himself in the future, he responded that he definitely saw himself with a career in classical music.
Every single opportunity I get, including the one I had this past weekend, I drop a few dollars in the violin case that he has out.

There are times when he is accompanied by other youth who are also skillful with their instruments. But he is the constant.

What I really like is that this is an alternative image that hundreds, if not thousands, are getting of a young black male. His presence at Suburban Station is strategic! White collars pass through the station in droves and hear him play!! His pants don't sag, he doesn't wear a snap back and he is well spoken. The inverse of the aforementioned have their place somewhere, but the image that he portrays, gives many a reason to pause and reassess the first thing that comes to mind when "young black male" is mentioned!

I forget his name, unfortunately, but I'm sure a google or youtube search would assist with that. If I see it, it'll strike a "chord" and I'll post a follow-up!