1 minute read
My Music. My Story
Ecomusicology
24
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My Music. My Story. Tatjana Rebelle
Words by Alecia M. White
SPEAKER AND ACTIVIST TATJANA REBELLE IS THE DIRECTOR OF YOUTH PROGRAMMING FOR EARTH CHARTER INDIANA AND THE FOUNDER AND FORMER CURATOR OF VOCAB INDY. CLASSICAL MUSIC INDY INVITED REBELLE TO DESCRIBE MUSIC’S IMPACT ON THEIR WORK WITH YOUTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE KIND OF MUSIC AND WHY?
I am really into 70s R&B, soul and funk music. My mother was a disco DJ during the 70s, and her record collection was impeccable, so I’m kind of reconnecting with that now.
WHAT DOES MUSIC MEAN TO YOU?
It’s a spiritual thing for me, a place of release and refuge. It’s where I go to get connected to other people who understand what it’s like to exist on earth. So, it’s a very spiritual and deep thing for me. I could not exist without it. [Music] is almost always on in my home. It’s very important to me.
HOW DOES MUSIC CONNECT WITH THE WORK YOU DO IN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE?
Music creates emotion. It’s another means to get people to pay attention, another means to get people to understand and connect. I think it’s important as a vehicle for connecting with the earth itself.
WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF BEING INVOLVED WITH EARTH CHARTER INDIANA AND YOUTH PROGRAMMING?
Climate justice is especially important for youth. They are concerned and activated. There’s a lot of movement and recognition that if we don’t change our ways, [young people] are not going to have the future that we keep saying that they are supposed to have. They really want us to change.
HOW DOES MUSIC BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY?
We need music and art as a form of expression. For me, there’s a freedom that you get as an artist that you don’t get in other realms.
HOW CAN READERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT?
Pay attention. Listen to the message and see if something resonates with you. Take a moment to sit in that space. If we all did a little bit of change, if we all pressured bigger groups to change, we could see some movement. ■
Learn more about Earth Charter Indiana and Vocab Indy.
Ecomusicology
