This summer marks the 250th anniversary of American independence. a most miraculous milestone and one that I’ve come to appreciate even more these past 10 years while living in war zones and places of deprivation upheaval. 

On August 15, 2026, the Taliban will celebrate the fifth anniversary of their takeover of Afghanistan. They will boast and shout from the rooftops about how the Americans spent over a trillion dollars, sacrificed thousands of their young citizens (who they gleefully killed) and left behind billions of dollars in military hardware The Taliban believe they humiliated the world’s superpower.

Due to this fiasco, Afghanistan, already in dire straits, is now a basket case. It’s the only country in the world that forbids girls to attend school, women to work, musicians to make music and where famine and extreme violence lurk in every corner of psyche, soul, and street corner.

We’ve been embedded in Pakistan for four years and three months, and in hiding for over 18 months as the government here continues its crackdown on vulnerable Afghans. Throughout all of these trials, tribulations and ordeals, we continue to create, working on new original songs like “Scars,” “Miss Afghanistan,” and “Keep The Faith,” along with songs for our ever-expanding song cycle called We Are The Refugees.

September 11, 2026, will mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11. All past and current members of The MLKs are between 8 and 22 — not even born when this catastrophic event occurred. After 9/11, freedom took on a new meaning for me and new dimensions emerged of what freedom truly means.

This has also influenced the music we interpret and create, and in which the girls learn about America, the world and life. A powerful means of education also illuminated many things for me as well. Despite all the obstacles we face, the bright light of perseverance and hope shines through.