I was talking to a young adult earlier today who said he was depressed because he thought everything in US politics today was “rancid.” I get it. As I write this on Sunday evening, federalized National Guard officers are throwing tear gas canisters at peaceful protesters in Los Angeles. But I told him (just as I have to tell myself many days) that we can’t become so focused on the bad and the ugly that we forget to be grateful for the good and the beautiful in our lives. Because what we focus on grows. We must maintain a balance of speaking out against the things we can not accept without losing sight of the many miracles we can experience each day…when we are looking for them.
This coming Saturday, President Trump has ordered a massive military parade down the streets of Washington DC. He says it is to recognize the 250th anniversary of the US Army, but it just “happens” to fall on his birthday. It is estimated that it will cost somewhere between $30-100 million dollars. And that does not include the possible damage to the roads of DC that were designed to handle cars, not tanks and other heavy military fighting vehicles. I think holding a military parade that is reminiscent of the black and white movies of similar displays of power in Adolf Hitler’s Nazi-controlled Germany is not a great way to celebrate a birthday. However, it is the far from the first thing about which Donald Trump and I have disagreed.
In response, the anti-authoritarian protest organization 50501, in cooperation with many other organizations, has declared June 14th to be No Kings Day. At this point, there are over 1,800 peaceful protest rallies organized for that day. In the greater Triangle NC region alone, there are 7 different protest sites. Americans (and allies) are gathering to demonstrate our commitment that the power in our democracy lies with our people, not with a single authoritarian leader.
So this week’s Motivational Music is geared to getting people psyched for this massive outpouring of peaceful protests. And who better to do that than Bruce Springsteen? Springsteen’s music has always focused on the average American, the blue collar workers from middle class communities in his native New Jersey. His music has always professed a love for our country, even when things appear to be going astray. And his music has always contained themes of hope, of possibility, of positive change, and of redemption.
Right now Bruce Springsteen is on a world concert tour called “The Land of Hope and Dreams.” It started in industrial Manchester, England on May 14. Springsteen began that first concert with a call to the power of rock and roll and a strong condemnation of the Trump Administration. He spoke of his love for the US and his vision for it becoming better. Apparently, throughout the concert, he voiced his criticisms of President Trump and his hopes for change, which were generally met with thunderous applause by his English audience.
As is fairly typical for President Trump, he took to social media to strike back, insulting and threatening Springsteen. He also posted a video of himself hitting a golf ball, followed by an altered video in which the golf ball “hits” Springsteen in the back and Springsteen falls. All I can say is, REALLY? Is this all we can expect from our national leader?
In response, Springsteen released a 30-minute segment of the beginning of his concert. It contains a few uplifting songs, interspersed with some of his criticisms of the current Administration.
I have a link to that video below. I also give you a link to what I thought was a great article from The Washington Post about the meaning and significance of the song performances he chose to release. I have a subscription to the paper and so you should be able to access it as a gift from me at: https://wapo.st/4kVfu5h. Even if you don’t listen to the songs, I encourage you to read the articles, which explains why those three songs were carefully chosen.
Like Bruce Springsteen, I believe in the power of rock and roll. And I also choose hope over resignation and helplessness. I will be using my voice on No Kings Day.
You can see the video and hear the songs at: https://youtu.be/dITxyRDsF1Y?si=iWh02Ds3XsIDcBWG
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