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“It’s All About Love” is a song by Earth, Wind, and Fire, it was produced by Charles Stepney and Maurice White, and on the album “That’s The Way of The World.” The album, released May 15, 1975, is a song that encourages its hearers to listen to, take care of, and love themselves. To sum it all up, it encourages people to be boldly inclusive in living, loving — and passionately giving to and supporting others less fortunate.
Boldly inclusive is to be daring, fearless, and unafraid, yet humble enough to help someone else along the way. A person must have these attributes if they are going to have real success.
The act of being boldly inclusive should be all about love. The Bible states that “Love covers a multitude of sin.” Romans 12:15-18 reads “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” With this in mind, maybe someday, we could live in a community that values its people.
Today’s society dictates the “me, myself, and I” mentality. If one works hard, makes lots of money, and shows himself to be of much value, they will attract like-minded people. This would not be a bad thing, as long as the person showed love for the people who supported their efforts by giving back, in whatever way they could.
Earth, Wind, and Fire’s planned concert dates were interrupted due to COVID-19. Lead singer, Philip Bailey took this opportunity to spend more time with an organization he founded in 2007. “Music Is Unity,” a non-profit that assists young people transitioning out of foster care funded by a percentage of Earth, Wind & Fire’s concert ticket sales, along with donations from corporations and various individuals.
“I can’t imagine a time when any of the kids would just be out there with no one to turn to, no one to ask advice, help, encouragement, or support, and a large segment of them are in that place through no fault of their own,” Bailey — who has seven kids of his own — said from his home in Los Angeles.
Bailey does not just raise money. He is boldly inclusive in his actions by staying in touch with the youth through a program he calls “Backstage Sound Check,” which recruits ten young people to learn about the music industry.
Like Bailey, DiMarcko Chandler — a successful hotel general manager, restaurant owner, college professor, newspaper editor, publisher, education director, web designer, and content marketing strategist — is an example of boldly inclusive being all about love. He is the head instructor of journalism at St. Agatha’s “The News School” (TNS), where he passionately teaches underserved youth and young adults the principles of journalism.
Chandler’s article, “The Historical Model – ‘Boldly Inclusive’,” explores the backstory of society and the pyramid-like way of living, where exclusivity is highly favored and extremely practiced. Whether accepted or not, the world has been divided into two categories — the honored and the oppressed.
Chandler refers to Thomas Jefferson’s argument of fear being the foundation for society’s need to be valued and esteemed over others. He stands firmly on “we” having much more power than “me.” Taken from Jefferson’s statement — “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants” — Chandler lives and hopes for change, bypassing the shedding of the blood of patriots and tyrants. He concludes with “After all our liberty is at stake”
Chandler and TNS’s bold and inclusive way of showing love by offering a full-scale media program with an emphasis on raising the reading and writing skills of Chicago’s underprivileged youth and others helps them to get in a position to be an integral part of preserving their communities.
Boldly inclusive should be all about love as Earth, Wind, and Fire sings in its song. “Hmm, paint a pretty smile each day; Lovin’ is a blessing, yeah; Never let it fade away; It’s all ’bout love, yeah.”
Written by Brenda Robinson
Sources:
TNS: The Historical Model – “Boldly Inclusive”; by DiMarcko Chandler
Parliament of The World’s Religion: The Promise of Inclusion, The Power of Love; by Dr. Robert P. Sellers
9News: Denver’s own Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire Has A Passion For Helping Kids; Gary Shapiro
Openbibleinfo: What The Bible Say About Inclusion
Frackle Media Group: Professional Excellence Summary; DiMarcko Chandler
Earth, Wind & Fire – All About Love Lyrics; Genius Lyrics
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Craig ONeal’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Hopeful in NJ’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License