On discrimination and prejudice
13 September 2007
Every culture has its own values. Everyone has their own image of the perfect life.
And each one of us is fighting to make their dreams come true. Our needs, the ideals that we strive to reach for are strongly influenced by our society. And this society is far from being perfect.
Many populations mean many ways of living and perceiving life.
I remember there was a Greek club on Magheru and whenever I passed by it, if it was
a late Saturday night, I could hear loud music for hours and people crashing plates on
the floor. A strange way to party. I couldn’t understand. Moreover, I would start
ironic comments without thinking that “watering”, an ancient tradition in
Transilvania, seems to the Greeks at least as strange as their costums seemed to me.
As a child, I was tempted to judge people…
I used to say too that some people are “different” from others just because God made
them that way.
God showed me that the ones who are judge, are judging their own insecurities and
frustrations.
Exactly like the idealism of whoever surrounded me at that point, my idealism was
also deviated by prejudice.
Prejudice that I had assimilated, the same way as, for example, most European
Countries think of all Romanians as thieves. More than once I had to face ugly
Reactions, when asked where I was from, I answered shyly: Romania.
Back then I was insecure. Back then I didn’t know that it’s my duty to say” I’m from
Romania, come and see that we’re not all thieves and rapists, that the children are not
all homeless and that we’re not all infected with AIDS.
Then I was just trying TO DO everything I can to let this show. I worked hard, I put
everything in my performances, I waved and I left, hoping that, as I was leaving,
people wouldn’t say: “thank God she left and I still have my wallet”.
We were invited to perform at Dan Bursuc’s wedding and one day later, at the
wedding of Florin Salam. I hesitated at first. The same reason you are asking
yourselves why I went.
Later, I learned that these people have a great respect for me. And that it was very
Important for them that I was there, at the most important event of their lives.
I thought about what it would have meant for me to be in their shoes. And it seemed
unfair to say no. They did everything so we could be there. And I must admit, they
behaved perfectly.
We arrived at the spot on time. At first, I observed myself putting
down pluses and minuses, noticing parts of the myths that go around about this type
of events.
In the parking lot, an expensive car show-room. “Artist entrance” was written on a
door in the right. An immense lounge was at our disposal with everything we needed.
The show was exactly like a high class festival. Big Band orchestra, important
instrumentalists, some of the best voices in the country. A jazz orchestra, brought all
the way from Holland.
Later, Clejanii were supposed to come. I don’t know what else was coming up on the
Show, but I was astonished by the high class performances. A remarkable
presentation.
The celebration of Florin Salam’s civil marriage took place in another select spot
of the Capital. We were very welcome there. They let us choose our repertory and
also how long we would perform. Without any obligations. Florin S. took time to
tell us how glad he is to have us with him at the most important event in his life and
that he appreciates and has respect for what we do, that he is delighted to listen t my
music. He also told me that sometimes he would like to sing something else than what
he normally sings, but that he has to provide for his family.
We played exactly what we wanted. Jazz, funk, your favorite songs and… surprise:
“ I Pick Up Dreams” got many rounds of applause. Many! It made me think. We
performed new songs, from the new album and we were asked plenty of times if we
have CDs for sale. And I remembered that not long ago we performed at fancy private
parties where people were too busy showing of their Prada bag with the “Je m’en
fiche” attitude, to listen to the music. And the same Swarovski crystals were present at
the same events, only on other ladies and in another order. Respect is what makes the
difference. The ladies and gentlemen who sing “manele” knew the lyrics of my songs
by heart… I saw Nichita Stanescu recited in a place where people forgot, at least for a
few minutes that they have friends and enemies…
I realized we are on the right track. If these people who live in their own world, with
their own troubles, with their way of living, with their worries which are too far away
and difficult to understand for us, wished for our music instead of inviting any
international artist, whom they could have paid for without a problem, then we
clearly mean something to them. They listened, they sang along, they applauded, they
felt every note, every word. I was surprised to notice that they paid attention to every
technical passage I did, to every improvisation of mine, for our sake, to begin with.
We didn’t play manele and we didn’t dance on the table. We did a concert as in any
club in the country, to a public that appreciated my music. And my music speaks for
everyone. The purpose is to reach in the homes of many people. Including the people
who sing other music genres. If this happens then we accomplished something. The
gain is much more fulfilling.
I don’t understand why some of you are shocked.
I’ll be here, waiting to discuss this subject further on the forum. I’ll will provide every
detail you may need to know.
Just ask me.
In my perspective, I’ve accomplished a very important thing. I’ve opened a door. I’ve
turned on a light – hopefully not just in my mind. I’ve learned yet another lesson and
I’ve grown a little more. I’ve learned once more that in front of God we are equal.
