“…rather than confined to your own self.”- Bahá’u’lláh
By Angel-Amon Wildgoose
If I could compare my childhood summers in San Diego to a song, it would be Bobby McFerrin’s Don’t Worry Be Happy at max volume. Truly. Especially on the weekends, we would go to Bahá’í school. There, we learned that service wasn’t charity but indeed our responsibility. We were taught that true community comes from each member being a builder of unity in diversity, building something much bigger than ourselves. Something generational. Something rooted in humility, justice, and just doing what is good. This isn’t a sales pitch, I promise. But these foundational teachings are how I guide my engagement with my community-based interest.
Fast forward to this summer: I find myself advocating for Canadian musical artists alongside Canadian Hip-Hop scholars. The Hart House is not a religious space, but it was sacred in its own way; artists used their music to express their truths, preserve their culture, and community members supported each other by any means. This is where I saw the meaning of doing good again. Doing what feels right in your heart by understanding the pulse of the community. You must recognize the community’s strengths and defend their right in society.
In my research so far, I like to consider “how can I better serve a community?” as a question I answer through the lens of a hip-hop DJ. You know how when a DJ says “When I say Hey, you say Ho! Hey? Ho!” there’s a sense of camaraderie rooted in respect in reciprocity? That’s how I approach it: we are all involved, we all help foster a positive environment, and all parts of the community give and receive in a way that strengthens our connections.
If my Honors In The Major research is done right, it can be a tool for justice. This sole accomplishment for me could be so much more for this community. My research can document stories that have often been ignored AND amplify marginalized voices that can supplement change organically. I have to do this thoughtfully and carefully, because (believe it or not) research can have intentions to do right and but be conducted unethically. When a researcher engages with communities as subjects instead of partners, it risks reinforcing the same inequalities we set out to address! That’s the danger right there- and also the opportunity. We have ample opportunities to practice active listening, be open to feedback, and make a commitment to do better.
After my project is complete, the biggest challenge of my defense in the Fall will be to answer the questions, “Well, what’s next?” and I have many ideas. In Canada, we need to focus on creating a respected and more concrete home for Canadian Hip-Hop in academia. How do we expand hip-hop education centers beyond college campuses, and what tools will we use to teach younger and older generations? Within my Communications major, I wonder how digital media can play a part in preserving cultural identity for hip-hop on a global scale? In the future, how can institutions support this with their own originality and avoid co-opting?
We’re in an era where everyone records themselves performing good deeds. But doing good is not flashy- it’s faithful. You have to show up consistently. Learn constantly. Always check your ego!
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