I Shall Not Be Moved: Calling All Musicians, Artists & Supporters

*The following was first posted to Facebook on June 23, 2020 in the wake of draconian and unjust “health mandates” and increased awareness of police brutality following George Floyd’s murder. Collage picture made by Prof. Spira.

We’re calling all creative musicians, artists, and supporters to join us at the Ohio Statehouse on Saturday, July 4, 2020, to create art in alignment with this historical moment. Musicians and artists answered the call for every major freedom movement in recent history, creating soundtracks and visuals that stand the test of time. This is our moment…what does our struggle sound like? What does the pain of 2020 feel like? What does “Power to the People Because We Love the People” vibe like today?

We need new chants. We need new songs. We need new visuals. We need new poetry. We need new speeches. We need a new style—one that draws upon the rich legacies of our art forms, brings them together, and pushes them forward into the 2020s.

It is the duty of those who learn to control sound and vibration to hold up a mirror to society to reveal its ugly truths, while also realizing a vision toward liberation for the future—transmitting this message directly into the soul of every human.

To live up to the rich legacies placed before us by our ancestors, we have much work to do. On Saturday, we will transform this city, this country, and the world through vibrations of discipline, beauty, and cleanliness. Join us!

Question to Sun Ra: “Tell me Sun Ra, what do you think about all of these people down here, they seem so depressed?”

“The people have no music that is in coordination with their spirits. Because of this, they are out of tune with the Universe.” – Sun Ra ( from Space is the Place motion picture)

Inspiration from the Past

“Strange Fruit” – Billie Holiday

“Alabama” – John Coltrane

“Don’t Let it Happen Here” – Charles Mingus

“Fables of Faubus” – Charles Mingus

“Triptych: Prayer/Protest/Peace” from Freedom Now Suite – Max Roach

“Mississippi Goddam” – Nina Simone

“Volunteered Slavery” – Rahsaan Roland Kirk

“Malcolm, Malcolm, Semper Malcolm” in Fire Music – Archie Shepp

“It’s Nation Time” – Amiri Baraka

“Certain Blacks ‘Do What They Wanna'” – Art Ensemble of Chicago

“Niggaz Are Scared of Revolution” – The Last Poets

“The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” – Gil Scott Heron

“Say It Loud: I’m Black and I’m Proud” – James Brown

(From “Jazz as Protest Music” Lecture, MUS 2253 Intro to Jazz, 2018, Ohio State University, Prof. Spira – Instructor)

1. One definition of the term politics is, “the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government” or dominating force. How important is it for musical artists to be aware of the political circumstances that surround them in order to express their views through art? Is it important for songwriters and composers to use lyrics, the titles of songs, and musical content to educate, inspire, provide social commentary, and strive to promote societal changes? Or should artists avoid political content to keep their art pure?
2. Is all music political in nature? Even if an artist avoids making politically-inspired music, can this decision to ignore social issues be viewed as a political act? Explain.
3. Protest music or the music of resistance is the use of music in politics and as politics. Propaganda may be defined as the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or person. What is the difference between protest music and music used for propaganda? What are some examples of each?

Several Days before the Musical Demonstration at the Ohio Capital Building . . .