The bandstand is a sacred place.
Don't settle for style. Succeed in substance.
To say that the Afro American created jazz doesn't mean anything bad about Anglo Americans, and I always teach my younger jazz musicians that at this point the entirety of the American tradition is your heritage, and you need to know it.
I dress up a certain way because I respect the music.
Don't wish for someone else to do later what you can do now.
Instead of imposing your will on every situation...focus on including everyone else, and just that little adjustment of attitude gives you the space to understand where and who you are.