“I took the walk,” the chant rose from within the crowd. “I took the walk.” As the sun beat down on a gorgeous October afternoon, hundreds of supporters descended upon the Kay Spiritual Life Center, seeking not only to reminisce but also to raise awareness. There, Hanson, the band that rose to pop-idol fame in the late 1990s, relinquished the red carpet for a barefoot walk across cold cement in an effort to provide aid to Africa.
Hanson began the “Take the Walk” campaign as a mission to raise money and awareness for Africa through five main outlets: the provision of shoes, the drilling of wells for clean water, the building of schools, the continuation of AIDS research and the increase of access to medical care. In partnering with TOMS Shoes, the band, consisting of brothers Isaac, Taylor and Zac, sought to creatively engage people in direct action.
“It’s important to bridge the gap now between the very detached, over-stimulated culture and do something that is so simple you remember it,” Taylor Hanson said to the crowd.
While the act of walking may appear austere, the unique barefoot aspect set their vision apart, challenging fans to experience what is an everyday reality for those in Africa unable to access shoes.
At the end of the one-mile march around AU’s campus, the brothers played a few songs to their devoted barefoot brigade, including “The Great Divide,” a song written in response to their experiences in Africa, originally recorded with choirs from South Africa and Mozambique. The lyrics of the song express maturity and raw emotion that are the core, and often overlooked, message of the band: “I find hope and it gives me rest/I find hope in a beating chest/I find hope in what eyes don’t see/I find hope in your hate for me.” The song then continues, “Have no fear when the waters rise/We can conquer this great divide.” The call to action did not fall on deaf ears, as many in the audience sang along, raising hands in solidarity.
A book signing followed the show, where fans could purchase the book “Take the Walk,” which chronicles the band’s journey and includes an EP record. The band generously stood for more than an hour signing books and speaking with each person individually to thank them for their donation.
The “Take the Walk” campaign began in 2006, in hopes of walking around the world — a distance of 24,902 miles — donating a dollar per each mile walked. A little over two years later, the band and their supporters have done just that, surpassing their goal by over 10,000 miles. But the success is only one step along their journey, one that shows little signs of stopping as they intend to try and “walk around the world” yet again.
The path has not been easy, something that Zac Hanson, the drummer and youngest of the trio, acknowledged.
“It’s a really hard thing, especially when you are put in the public eye. People assume that you do things because they are popular or they will help your career,” he said in an interview with The Eagle. “I think we just came to a conclusion that it really didn’t matter and that the only way to prove to people that you really do believe in what you are talking about is by showing people by example.”
But the brothers do more than just show; they fully engage with their supporters. Despite having spent over 12 years in the spotlight, they exude humility. Quite literally down-to-earth, they came barefooted, with only megaphones in hand, into a sea of faithful fans. The direct exposure, which many artists might avoid, does not seem to bother them; in fact, it seems to only invigorate them. While they lightheartedly recall some of the crazier antics they’ve experienced, the band remains grateful for all the support they’ve received.
“It’s really the individual who makes the difference,” Taylor said. “It’s not the Hanson brothers out there; it’s Zac, Isaac and Taylor. We couldn’t do what we’ve been so blessed to do without the amazing efforts of each individual who goes out there with us, one step at a time.”
Hanson’s efforts seem to have scored them yet another hit, as the response on campus was of overwhelming praise.
“I’m thrilled to be here supporting this cause,” said Megan Pirrello, a graduate student in the College of Arts and Sciences. “Hanson has done a great job of encouraging a tool we’ve always had: ourselves. Regardless of celebrity, we can all make a difference.”
As Hanson continues their “Take the Walk” campaign across the country and around the world, the moral will remain the same: togetherness is not always about the music we tune in to, but instead, it is about the messages people can’t tune out.
You can reach this writer at thescene@theeagleonline.com.
