We Have Work To Do

Written By Mike Scott

As the events of the past several days have made even more clear, racism - systemic and individual -  remains the central problem facing the United States in 2020. We are saddened and outraged by the unlawful and senseless deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and untold other Americans of color before them. Our hearts go out to their families and our African American community members. It is time to face the reality of this crisis head on.   

At Bluecoats, one of our most important objectives is to provide an inclusive, supportive, and safe environment for every participant, staff member, and the entire Bluecoats Community. We cannot successfully achieve that goal without seeking to understand the real spectre of racism in our society. Furthermore, our organization’s mission is to teach our students how to be not just better performers, but also better people.

To that end, we acknowledge that we have work to do. We are committed to learning more, and teaching more, about how to be not just non-racist, but anti-racist. Below is a list of resources provided by scholars that is a place to start. We’re sharing this with you, our Bluecoats Community, and also our students and staff. We are committing today to further engage on these vital issues with the people of color who play such a vital role in the success of our organization. Together we will make Bluecoats a better, more inclusive, and anti-racist space for all of our students, staff, and stakeholders.

Resources:

Mike Scott
Mike Scott is a clinician, consultant, and the CEO of Rhythm X, Inc., a non-profit music education company in Dayton, Ohio. Mike earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 2012. There he studied percussion and conducting and completed the Farmer School of Business Summer Institute. Before beginning his career as an administrator and teacher, Mike was an active performer in the marching arts. In 2011 Mike was the conductor of the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps of Canton, Ohio and was a performer in Rhythm X’s percussion ensemble from 2011-2012. Mike was also a member of the Miami University Marching Band for four years, serving as the drum major during the 2011 and 2012 seasons. In 2013 Mike began work at Rhythm X, Inc. as the Operations Director, managing the business development and logistics of the organization. He was also the Director of Instrumental Music at St. Ursula Academy in Toledo, Ohio. There he taught band, orchestra, and general music in grades 6-12. Prior to the 2015 competitive season, Mike became the first full-time employee at Rhythm X, Inc. as the company’s CEO. There he works with the organization’s President Tim Fairbanks to develop the future strategy of the company. During the summer months, Mike travels the country with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps as the group’s Tour Administrator. He has also served as the tour manager of The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Mike proudly endorses Innovative Percussion, Etymotic Research, and Fred J. Miller Inc.
http://mikewscott.com
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