The Inspiration For The Cause
When producer Robert Heirendt first had a vision to create a tribute album to Bob Dylan’s Self Portrait, he was inspired by Bob’s concept of what a “self portrait” is. Instead of Dylan’s Self Portrait being all about “him”, it was a tribute to the many songs and artists and styles which inspired and influenced him. In a real sense, Dylan’s “self portrait” is also a portrait which includes the rural country, delta blues, tin pan alley, early rock and roll, gospel and various folk traditions which were formative to him in his development as a songwriter and musician. This “portrait” is then larger than the man we call Bob Dylan.
In putting this “self portrait” together, Dylan presented a larger perspective on what it is that makes “us” who we are, and who we become.This larger sense of vision inspired Robert to include a variety of voices by inviting his musical friends from many diverse genres to join their creative voices to this “cover album of a cover album”. Robert also knew that he would want this musical statement to be a benefit to a larger cause. He was very touched by hearing the stories of children who have been separated from their families at the US border and concerned by the “portrait” that we as a nation are projecting to the world by how we are treating these immigrant children. As such, a decision was made for all proceeds from this project to benefit the work of the Young Center for Immigrant Children.
About The Young Center
The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights protects and advances the rights and best interests of immigrant children according to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and state and federal law.
The Young Center is a champion for the best interests of children who arrive in the United States on their own, from all corners of the world. We serve as trusted allies for these children while they are in deportation proceedings, advocating for their best interests, and standing for the creation of a dedicated children’s immigrant justice system that ensures the safety and well-being of every child.
The Young Center’s goal is to change the immigration system so that children in immigration proceedings are recognized as children, and best interests are made a part of the decision making process.
The Young Center is a human rights organization that advocates for the rights and best interests of immigrant children. Young Center attorneys and social workers, along with bilingual volunteers, are appointed as Child Advocate (guardian ad litem) by the Department of Health and Human Services. Our role is to advocate for their best interests—from custody and release to the ultimate decision about whether the child will be allowed to remain in the U.S. Our goal is to change both immigration policy and practice so that immigrant children are recognized first as children and their best interests are considered in every decision.
Website: https://www.theyoungcenter.org/