Knoxville Jazz for Justice making a difference!

Lobbying policymakers, taking political action, building movement are some activities many, US colleges have done to raise awareness for Northern Uganda but Knoxville Jazz for Justice have gone one more step further, they have Lobbyed policymakers and they visited Northern Uganda to have first hand experience of the condition there and to show their commitment to the cause of Northern Uganda, Knoxville Jazz for Justice will hold a fundraiser discotheques on Saturday October 6th at the World Grotto in Market Square, at 9 p.m. featuring an Africa Dance Party, to help raise money for the Jazz for Justice Concert scheduled for Nov. 2.

According to the Daily Beacon online, the editorially independent student newspaper of the University of Tennessee,

McClain a sophomore in college scholars, said “the dance will feature a performance by the Kuumba Kan African Drum and Dance Group. Also, an African DJ will be playing music from across the continent.”

“People should expect lots of afrobeat and reggae,” McClain said. “It’s going to be an energetic environment.” The the Daily Beacon online said.

It’s not like a big rock concert where you raise a lot of money and then it’s over,” Prof. I.J. Hackett said. “People forget and move onto something else. We’re trying to build relationships, we’re trying to build linkages.

“Knoxville Jazz for Justice began early in 2006 with a concert to raise awareness on the war in Uganda. Now Justice’s goal is not to just raise money but to bring the community together with music,” said Prof I.J Rosalind Hackett, professor of religious studies.

Prof. I.J Hackett said, “She hoped the dance party would not only raise awareness but bring a different kind of attention to Africa, especially, northern Uganda.”

Music is one of Africa’s great contributions ...because of it rhythm, vibes and it’s very danceable. It’s very popular, so we hope that even if students think they don’t know what African music is about, they should come and try it because it’s a learning experience.

Unlike most humanitarian organizations, Hackett said, “Knoxville Jazz for Justice focuses on bringing people together. We really firmly believe that music is also a way of sharing interest,” and other cultures.

Erin Bernstein, a junior in college scholars, also said, “Knoxville Jazz for Justice is different than other humanitarian organizations.”

Yes, a lot of these organizations are doing good works, but the most neglected problem ... is trauma, she said. (Ugandans) are in need of emotional healing right now and not many big organizations can provide such services, and that is where the Knoxville Jazz for Justice Project comes in.

Bernstein saw the suffering first hand on a trip to Gulu, Uganda over the summer with Hackett and McClain. She said they were embraced by the people because they weren’t just passing through, they met the real people in need of emotional, spiritual and material supports. (Some photos by McClain)

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You can read more of this report in The Daily Beacon Online, the editorially independent student newspaper of the University of Tennessee Friday, October 05, 2007 issue by Yasmine Alotaibi -

http://dailybeacon.utk.edu/showarticle.php?articleid=52018