I was called a “Social Justice Warrior” last year. Someone thought that was a bad thing.

When did caring about others become bad?

The title doesn't upset me. But people who so casually blow off and belittle other cultures do.

I am a Celt. I love my cultural heritage. But the history of Ireland and Scotland over the last thousand years is that of oppression. We were conquered. Our rights were taken away. We were mercilessly killed in the name of racism.

We suffered. We were the little guy. We were the Celtic Lives Matter tribe.

My grandma never told people she was Irish because she was Afraid of the cultural stigma associated with being Irish.

Much of that racism is over for us (though not all). But it's not for others.

People all around the world are now standing up in solidarity for Black Lives Matter.

We Celts should too… because we also suffered.

Blacks face challenges daily because they are different. They may be different from me. And probably different from you. But I sympathize with their pain.

For over a year, my homepage has talked about celebrating our differences. There is no greater time than now to rise up and do just that.

It starts with Black Lives Matter.

Until each of us can say, “Black Lives Matter”, we are selfishly saying… only we matter.

“Only we matter” is validation for those who oppressed us. It says it was okay to murder and starve our families. To run them out of their countries.

I don't believe that. I believe we all deserve respect, kindness, and love.

So please stand with me. Say it loud. Say it proud.

Like you're William Wallace about to face down a larger more dangerous army.

Black Lives Matter!

CELTFATHER LIVE THIS THURSDAY

My next evening concert is scheduled for this Thursday, June 11 at  7:30 PM CDT / 8:30 PM EDT. The show is once again free to watch on YouTube.

I would love it if you will come and join me this week.

Click Right Here if you want to get an email reminder about the concert on Thursday.

I will send you a very special email about the show at that time. That will also take you to my YouTube channel where you can subscribe and click the notification bell so you never miss a show.

YOUR AUTOHARP QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Nicole emailed this week asking about an “autoharp consultation”. She had a whole bunch of questions about buying a new autoharp. I answered them in a video on YouTube. I figured you too might be interested in learning my thoughts on buying an autoharp.

You can watch the video here.

Incidentally, I also have a whole website of Autoharp Music Tips that answers more questions. And I created an autoharp tutorial video which has gotten a lot traction on YouTube.

Thank you as always for kindly supporting my music. I wish you a blessed and safe week.

Slainte!
Marc Gunn, The Celtfather

#celtfathernews #marcsmusings