In our digital times, art and artists are now easily available to nearly every person in all corners of the globe. A sense of taste and style that was once reserved to a metropolitan few before mass communication can be accessed by any ordinary person with an internet connection. The only downside to all of this is local art and culture can sometime suffer.
Independently-produced music, for example, is prolific and never so easily gleaned by a listener. It is possible to tune into the newest bands on the biggest music scenes across the country. Surfing the Internet looking for new tastes in music is not bad, but listeners should turn their ears to the local scene every now and again to see what’s going on. Supporting local art and music ensures that the pulse of a vibrant community beats strong.
Here in Starkville, more than a casual glance is required to find some great local music, but when sought is easily discovered. Also, asking about live bands at establishments and supporting a local band when it plays helps ensure a local scene thrives.
Cover bands are not what make for a diverse music and art scene. Bands must play covers to satisfy crowds at times, but there are places where a band playing sets of cover songs is obscene. Some bands starting out at the local watering hole are not yet experienced, and playing covers helps them find a crowd, so it’s understandable. However, most musicians do produce their own work and if they can feel comfortable enough to share their creations in public, listeners should care enough to give them a listen. Originality inspires more than mimicry and provides the impetus for art to exist. Even the biggest cover band owns its existence to paying tribute to an artist and his originality. Why can we not celebrate originality in our own backyard as well?
Our country grows ever more homogenous. You can buy the same things in nearly any town; we all watch the same television programs and listen to the same music.
We should cling to that which is novel and produced in our locale. Not only will we benefit, but preserving aspects of local culture ensures future generations get a sense of who they are.
There are aspects of our local culture that many buy into, like tailgating. An SEC tailgate is like none other, but as much energy is devoted to such events on a mass scale, a single farmer producing locally grown produce expends just as much effort single-handedly. Artistry is where you find it, but in recognizing inherent artistry the walls of division in society begin to crumble.
Moreover, The Reflector  strives to be the voice and record for the MSU community. The paper cannot accurately tell the story of the MSU and student community if it is not relevant.
To be relevant, The Reflector  must report on what readers are doing and what they are interested in. Reporting the story accurately is the biggest job of a paper, but without engagement by our readers, we, as editors, can only grasp at straws and put on these pages what we think is going on. Having the readership take ownership in the publication and hold it accountable ensures focus on the community is never lost and, therefore, the real story of this community is never lost.
So, if you like what you read in here, tell others. If you don’t like what you’re reading, tell us.