The Trumpet is My Weapon Gun
Exchange program was born out of a terrible tragedy within the New Orleans
community earlier this month—the loss of nine-year-old Devante Bryant to gun violence.
Shamarr Allen, a local musician, program
organizer, and the father of a boy the same age, said in the program's GoFundMe
message, "I thought how easy it could have been for that to be my own son. My
thoughts and actions immediately went to how I can contribute to reducing the
chances of the continuation of this level of gun violence amongst our youth."
Allen turned to Instagram with the
message, "To all youth in New Orleans, bring me a gun and I'll give you a
trumpet. No questions asked. I'm doing this until I run out of trumpets."
He soon realized the difference a
program like The Trumpet is My Weapon could make when adolescents began trading
in their guns and turning instead to music. Allen immediately began fundraising
for more instruments, as well as music books, and there has been an outpouring
of support within the community.
"The Trumpet Is My Weapon is a mantra
that I have used over the years. I began using that mantra because the trumpet
really became my weapon and tool for my success. It has opened doors and sent
me places that, as a kid from the Lower 9th Ward, statistics say I should have
never been," said Allen.
Eventually, the program hopes to evolve
and offer other instruments. Because New Orleans is a city whose foundation is
inlaid with music, what better way to create real change and support youth in
the arts? "The trumpet became a weapon that really saved my life, so I figured
it may be able to have the same impact for another young person from New
Orleans," said Allen.
