Singer, Songwriter Long Shares Elders’ Wisdom
From the article:
Larry Long is a Twin Cities singer and songwriter, who uses his work to inspire others. He is executive director of the Minneapolis-based nonprofit Community Sense of Place and recently started the program Elders’ Wisdom. Larry Long started the Elders’ Wisdom Children’s Song program with the belief that people are never too old—or too young—to learn tolerance and understanding. America.gov’s profile on Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song asked “Can Tolerance Be Taught?” which takes a closer look at how our program is exploring that question through our work in schools and communities.
Access Press: Why did you start Elders’ Wisdom?
Long: Elders’ Wisdom, brings together all of the elements of building community. It is intergenerational. It passes the story—the torch from one generation to the next. It teaches the values of respect—to honor the life of another. We truly do stand on the shoulders of others.
In a personal way—it was my grandfather who helped heal me when my father passed away 45 years ago when I was 13.
Access Press: How do the experiences of older people from Elders’ Wisdom empower younger people to keep positive even when surrounded by negative events that in some cases derail the future of so many young people?
Long: I didn’t realize the depth of this until someone observed the impact of this work on children—empathic relationships—and how intergenerational learning helps heal others in a way that is deep and meaningful.