It is hard to carry both sides of this, especially when you are looking in the tea leaves for inspiration. As I have said here many times - hell, if I could just write a protest song! Ah, if only life was so simple.....
John and John, I used to see them in the early 90s when they had just the beatbox. I remember going to their first show "as a real band" with a drummer and one of the most hilarious and amazing bass players you ever saw (he wore lederhosen, for fun on top of al that). that show, in a little place in Williamsburg had the same energy as the clip you shared. we were almost sitting their laps as they played.
Exactly! We are not powerless, but will be living in a world with all the levers of governmental and surveillance powers controlled by greedy, abusive patriarchs who hate women, artists, readers, people of color, basically all non-loyalists for a long time.
The only way we are going to bring about good change is to continue to find joy. You are surrounded by people who continued to fall in love, create art, dance and make each other laugh against the backdrop of absolute power. There is hope in their stories.
Joy, creativity and caring for one another undermines authoritarianism at its core, because it builds solidarity and keeps us human.
Good change comes after bad. Movements for justice are born from pressure, from suffering—but also from the unyielding belief that a better world is possible, even necessary.
Your words carry both grief and strength. Keep creating. Keep connecting. Keep choosing joy where you can. That’s not surrender. That’s strategy.
You’re both right. We need both. And we definitely still need the love songs. Carry on brother.
It is hard to carry both sides of this, especially when you are looking in the tea leaves for inspiration. As I have said here many times - hell, if I could just write a protest song! Ah, if only life was so simple.....
Just for fun-
https://youtu.be/yf0Amcgxot8?si=N1saDrMRbNs6Mjuq
fun is an understatement!
John and John, I used to see them in the early 90s when they had just the beatbox. I remember going to their first show "as a real band" with a drummer and one of the most hilarious and amazing bass players you ever saw (he wore lederhosen, for fun on top of al that). that show, in a little place in Williamsburg had the same energy as the clip you shared. we were almost sitting their laps as they played.
We had the two main guys along with their guns for hire at Variety Playhouse several times. They were always a lot of fun.
niiiiiiiiiiice. they're still going strong.
Exactly! We are not powerless, but will be living in a world with all the levers of governmental and surveillance powers controlled by greedy, abusive patriarchs who hate women, artists, readers, people of color, basically all non-loyalists for a long time.
The only way we are going to bring about good change is to continue to find joy. You are surrounded by people who continued to fall in love, create art, dance and make each other laugh against the backdrop of absolute power. There is hope in their stories.
Joy, creativity and caring for one another undermines authoritarianism at its core, because it builds solidarity and keeps us human.
Good change comes after bad. Movements for justice are born from pressure, from suffering—but also from the unyielding belief that a better world is possible, even necessary.
Your words carry both grief and strength. Keep creating. Keep connecting. Keep choosing joy where you can. That’s not surrender. That’s strategy.
As always, thanks for sharing.
Amen, Susan!!!!!
Every fucking word of this. That's all I have to say. Keep on rockin', brother.
thanks man. defininitely feeling salty and fired up these days. and I do constantly find myself saying "this is bullshit."