A recent video clip from the popular television show America’s Got Talent that went viral caught my eye. The clip, taken from the season 14 premiere of NBC’s show, featured an audition from a singer named Kodi Lee.

The 22-year-old man was led out by his mother Tina, who told the judges Simon Cowell, Gabrielle Union, Julianne Hough, and Howie Mandel that her son is blind and autistic.

First, Kodi spoke, in the stilted way that comes from people who are neurologically diverse. Then, his mother explained that music has been an integral method of communication for her son to more effectively engage the world.

“Through music and performing, he was able to withstand living in this world, because when you’re autistic, it’s really hard to do what everybody else does,” she said. “It actually has saved his life playing music.”

When Kodi sat down at the piano to play, his mother whispered in his ear that all of the cameras were on him, that this was his moment.  Then, after a few pregnant moments, he played “A Song for You” by Leon Russell.

His soulful rendition of the song was stunning to the crowds and the judges.  He sang so beautifully, it felt like we were witnessing a miracle.

When it was over, the crowd stood to their feet and cheered.  Mandel was the first judge to weigh in.  “I will tell you that all four judges and everybody in this room were up on their feet,” he said. “You were wonderful. Not only did we feel the authenticity of what you do, but you’re a great inspiration and a great talent.”  Union then hit the “golden buzzer” that apparently gave Kodi a straight pass to the live show.  

I don’t watch AGT, but this clip was very poignant in light of the recent fury unleashed by the left over the new abortion laws.

Leftists have been saying that it’s okay to terminate a pregnancy if a kid like Kodi would be born.  Yet this man’s life and voice undermines this evil and murderous ideology.

Life that is hard and challenging is still life. It is beautiful and valuable and important.

Kudos to AGT for showcasing Kodi, and I’m hoping he goes far in the show.  But he’s already touched the hearts of millions who saw his courage, talent, and zest for living.  

May we become a culture that recognizes his value.  Watch the clip below:

Image Credit: Still from AGT embedded video above

About The Author

Mark was a co-founder of the Tea Party Patriots, and served as the national coordinator. He left the organization to work more broadly on expanding the self-governance movement beyond the partisan divide. Mark appears regularly on television in outlets as diverse as MSNBC, ABC, NBC, Fox News, CNN, Bloomberg, Fox Business and the BBC. He’s highly sought after for the tea party perspective from print and electronic media outlets, from the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, L.A. Times, Washington Examiner, Politico and the The Hill. Mark blogs at MarkMeckler.com, and his opinion editorials regularly run in many of the leading political newspapers both on and offline. Mark has a BA in English from San Diego State University and graduated with honors from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 1988. He practiced real estate and business law for almost a decade. For the last eleven years of his legal career he specialized in Internet advertising law. When not fighting for the future of our nation, Mark is an avid horseman, and lives in rural northern California with his wife Patty and two children.

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