Crossing the Great Divide in a Fast Car
Reflection by Kevin John Fong
And I-I, had a feeling that I belonged
I-I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone
— Tracy Chapman, "Fast Car"
At the Grammys, Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs came together for a performance of “Fast Car” and brought down the house.1
The improbability of them appearing together added to the impact. Luke is 33, a white, straight country singer from Dickson Tennessee. Tracy, the elder at 59, is a black, queer, folk singer from the San Francisco Bay Area. How could these two become collaborators? What kind of harmony could come out of this? Transcendent harmony, apparently.
That Sunday evening, Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs got in her fast car (with Ms. Chapman driving), and bridged the divide between age, gender, race, sexual orientation, and geography. The words, sung from the heart by both artists, found profound and poignant meaning as they wafted out over our quarreling and divided nation.
They lifted our hearts with hope, and the possibility that we could bridge the gaps that divide us. In a world filled with so much brokenness, we witnessed a moment of wholeness. The world is hungry for messages of hope such as the one they delivered together. By Monday, Fast Car was #1 on the iTunes list.
Their performance reminds us that, if we can put our arms around each other, then we might feel that we all belong and we can be someone. Be someone.
I will try to remember that when I encounter someone who is experiencing homelessness, the grocery store clerk who doesn’t believe in climate change, and my 90-year-old father.
Click here to watch Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs sing “Fast Car” at the Grammys.
Kevin John Fong
All of my life, I have sought to shift narratives and patterns that limit our potential and tear apart our social fabric. To that end, I founded the Kahakulei Institute, whose mission is to weave people and possibilities to cultivate communities of belonging. I am a featured host on the CNBC News series, “Changing the Narrative,” and author of The Five Elements: An East Asian Approach to Achieve Organizational Health, Professional Growth, and Personal Well-Being.
What’s Your Story?
This year’s Grammys reminded me of Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs’ terrific rendition of "Fast Car" last year. Like many others, I was spellbound. Every time I listened to it, I was transported. (I still am.)
I didn’t have the words to capture how magical it was. Fortunately Kevin John Fong did. He posted his essay at Medium, and gave us permission to share the first part as a Building Bridges Word by Word reflection and the second half as a blog post. Today, I’m sharing his reflection. I’ll post the second part tomorrow. As you read Kevin’s reflections, consider the songs and performers who have made a difference in your life.
What song or performance stands out in your life? What was it about that song, that moment in time, that meant so much to you? What does it say to you now?
Consider writing a short (250 words or less) reflection about it. Each reflection posted on the Building Bridges Word by Word Substack and website is a valuable step in building bridges across our divides.
How to get started? Click on the button below for the guidelines and steps for sending in your reflection. Questions? Write us at mscribner.buildingbridgeswbw@gmail.com We look forward to hearing from you.
This commentary was written following the 2024 Grammys. This year’s Grammys reminded me of Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs’ fantastic performance and Kevin John Fong’s thoughtful reflection. Their performance and his essay feel even more poignant today.
 | A guest post by
|