I was in Gary, Indiana last week.
Gary lies at the southern tip of Lake Michigan, 25 miles southeast of Chicago. You may know it as the birthplace of Michael, Janet, and the members of the Jackson 5. Or, you may know it as the home of “Gary Works”, which was the world’s largest steel mill when established in 1906. To this day, it remains the largest integrated mill in North America, operated by U.S. Steel.
I went to Gary for several reasons. My friend Eze Redwood was named one of the 65 Economic Recovery Corps (ERC) Fellows by the U.S. Economic Development Administration earlier this year, to revitalize the economies of underserved communities in the next 30 months. He was assigned two cities in Indiana: Gary and Michigan City. I wanted to see if I could help, as a musician promoting the power of music to heal and unite.
(A candid photo of Eze at Tiny’s Coffee Bar in Gary, during my visit. The breakfast burrito was delicious!)
Gary, in particular, interested me because I have been dismayed by the resistance to the Nippon Steel’s acquisition offer. Noting that Gary has no significant Asian presence according to the 2022 census (see below), I wanted to show up in good will and good faith, to extend my hand in friendship as someone from Japan. Since my first international tour at 18, performing across cities of Bolivia, I have played in many parts of the world with always the same conviction: what we share is greater than our differences. Census data like the one below helps us understand people’s contexts, but sharing food, music, laughter, and hugs helps us transcend our differences.
What struck me first about Gary was its beauty.
What impressed me most about Gary was the warmth of its people. They welcomed me with such warmth and hospitality, sharing fond childhood memories and the anecdotes about the bonds of their tight-knit community. So many people inspired me with their community service and volunteering efforts, mentoring young people, encouraging entrepreneurship, and supporting local artists.
When I told the people in Gary about what I did, they were so excited about my research on the power of music, and my mission to deliver music for social good. Here is a video compilation of my music sharing during my stay there in Gary.
Gary’s proximity to Chicago allows for an impressive lineup of faculty and artists to contribute to the vibrant intellectual community at Indiana University Northwest campus in downtown Gary. Their performing arts program have been presenting many production, including a play by August Wilson, and a concert by a string quartet.
I left Gary with heartwarming memories and a renewed determination to keep doing what I can with my musical mission.
(At the Miller Beach in Gary.)
My report on my visit to Gary in Japanese can be found here: https://musicalmakiko.com/travel/10875