Article & photos by Melodie Yvonne Ramey
LAFAYETTE, IN (January 27, 2018) – Family is not necessarily just something that one is born into. It’s also the people who you meet along the way that take care of you. It’s the people who are there for you when you need them whether you know it or not. Family can sometimes be just a couple of people or it can consist of an entire community. I’m from North Vernon, Indiana, but many of the great people that make up Lafayette I feel are also kin to me. I have a bond with the Lafayette Theater, in particular, that I often feel is thicker than blood, so I’d have to admit I’m a little perturbed about the recent community uprising against the establishment.
The recent uproar involves some of the upcoming Lafayette Theater acts such as Upchurch the Redneck and David Allan Coe. This surprises me in a community so steeped in musical freedom of expression. Believing in freedom of speech doesn’t mean only believing in it when it’s something that one wants to hear. It also means standing up for that right even when you know sometimes you’re going to have to switch that radio dial off. Let’s forget about freedom of expression, though, entirely, and go back to focusing on community.
Just as a house divided against itself cannot stand, a community that attacks itself will eventually fall. Trying to shut down any event at the Lafayette Theater does not just affect the offending musician. It takes jobs away from people in your very own community. Suddenly, the light guy and sound guy, the bartenders, the entire security staff and countless others have all lost their jobs. They have lost their source of income for the night, possibly for the week. It takes food out of the mouths of their children. It takes money away from businesses that those people would have frequented. A house divided against itself WILL fall.
I know if I have a problem with someone in my family I go talk to them, not about them. Now if it’s that annoying guy at work, of course, I’m might just gripe all day, but we’re talking family. Lafayette isn’t just like any other town in Indiana. It’s surprisingly tight-knit for such a large city. It’s a family, and it’s that small town feel that makes it successful. It’s that beautiful peace and love that draws people to the town from hundreds of miles away just to revel in the wondrous music scene and the Hoosier beauty. With everything going on in the world today now is not the time to throw this kind of love out the window. It’s time to remember that love and how it helped build the city so far. It’s that kind of love that harbors successful changes for the better.
Changing the community for the better starts at the root with the individual citizens. It starts by showing out-of-towners and vagabonds like me how people really should behave. It starts with a peaceful dialogue not a barbaric yawp. Lafayette and the Lafayette Theater tamed me, and made me keep coming back not by showing me everything the town hated. I keep going back because I’m lured by the strange amount of cool-headed, relaxed people and by all the love. Remember how wonderful each and every citizen of Lafayette is just like I do, and remember that these are people, your friends and neighbors, that could be running the businesses so carelessly being attacked. Harness that negative energy instead of lashing out with hate, and use it for something positive to help the community grow just like you’ve always done until now. Instead of sharing hurtful words and articles about drama laden conflict on social media share your community’s latest upcoming charity event. If you only have one night off a week, instead of protesting an artist you don’t like, go out and support an artist that you want to be successful. If you don’t like or agree with Upchurch the Redneck then don’t support him. Don’t buy tickets. Don’t go see him, but please don’t protest a business that has done nothing but try to help the community in which it thrives by creating jobs and supporting local causes and musicians.
Here is a list of other events happening in Lafayette the same night as Upchurch the Redneck that need your love and support. Please show your opinion and take a stand not by violent protest, but by helping and supporting others with your attendance at one of the following events:
Ethan Lipton and His Orchestra: The Outer Space Hosted by Carnahan Hall and Purdue Convocations
The Snake Charmers live at The Hideaway Hosted by Hideaway Bar & Grill
10th Midwest Bible Prophecy Conference Hosted by Calvary Chapel Indiana, Lafayette
Autism Awareness Fundraiser Hosted by Ziegler’s Custom Creations
PPTQ for Minneapolis Pro Tour – Standard Format Hosted by Legendary Games Lafayette
Refuse To Be A Victim crime prevention seminar Hosted by Tippecanoe County Sheriff’s Office
Please enjoy the following photo galleries and videos from charity events you may have missed hosted by Lafayette Theater
The People vs Breast Cancer Benefit Concert
Benefit for Jeffrey
Frank Muffin Presents: A Tribute to Sgt. Peppers Charity Benefit
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Photo and video footage shot for Photographic Melodie by Melodie Yvonne Ramey. Shot with Nikon D800E
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