Life is a wonderful thing
Daniele Sanzone is a philosopher, singer and writer originally from Scampia (NA). The telling of his story
Teilhard de Chardin says that “purity, is not separation from things but impetus through all beauty; it is not fear of doing evil, but rigorous will to force the doors of life.”
Life is not about being blameless, but about fearlessly involving oneself in the affairs of the poor and oppressed in order to have authenticity in return.
Daniele grew up on the 10th floor of a tower in Scampia, dealing under the house while there was not always bread to eat at home. Mom cried, but did not give up.
His father, a painter and dreamer, did not cease preaching honesty, patience and faith in institutions.
What made Daniel the man he is today was love. His father and mother lavished it lavishly on him and his siblings.
In 2005, in the midst of a feud (war between Camorra clans), Daniele wrote his first song, “’A Camorra song io” (the Camorra is me). He confesses, “I did it because I had to have the courage to look at myself in the mirror and recognize within myself the same virus that affects the gangster and the honest man: selfishness, the desire to impose oneself and hypocrisy.” In one day, the record sells a thousand copies and sends the thoughts of boss Paolo Di Lauro’s son, “But if the Camorra is them, who are we?”
At school, the kids ask him how he is not pressured by the criminal world? He replies that his is a cultural struggle. “The boss respects me because I am there every day and he knows I think differently from him.” Philosophy helps him step out of his point of view and question what the other person thinks: what does he feel, how does he live?
“If you understand that there are so many points of view, you change, you break down the prejudices around you.” Daniele is afraid of the one-size-fits-all, homogenized thinking. “There are people who in order to give meaning to their lives affiliate themselves with a Camorra clan, this offers them an identity.”
The philosopher-singer speaks from the fullness of his heart, he considers himself very lucky with the life he lives because, while all around him the Scampia microcosm is falling apart between drug dealing, racketeering and corruption, he can pursue his dream and do what he loves most: writing, singing, telling even if this does not allow him to have a comfortable life: “philosophy has not given me anything but it has made me free.”
And so it is that between records, books, stories and poetry, doing good and sowing hope among the people he meets, Daniele shouts that life is a wonderful thing worth fighting and dreaming for.
Source and image
- Saveriani.com
- Father Carlo Salvadori