2 Weeks 2 Victory—Enjoy the mix
I was walking to class when Neil stopped his car and shouted, “Did you hear what happened?” Later that day, I was finally able to get through to my mom. She asked me, “What should we do, Jimmy? What should we do?”
My City of Ruin [Live] — Bruce Springsteen
I was in a bar on The Northside when I first got word of war with Iraq. Deflated, I sat drinking my beer and thinking of a similar moment on a JV basketball bus—the first time we did this. I knew this would be worse than last time.
Winner Take All — Aesop Rock
When the lies they lured us with came due, it was too late. Things fell apart. Years later, people began to take to the streets. Voices of dissent bleated through the fog of fear. They made fun of our numbers until the polls started turning.
Yell Fire — Spearhead
We were asked to sacrifice nothing but our wallets in the name of these wars. And though we did not really expect anyone to come calling for payment, they did. Now we stare dazed at another crisis. And the rest of the world suffers at our excesses. We have finally joined our government in the eyes of this world.
Eat to Live — Talib Kweli
We may not see the suffering of this world. If only Google Earth gave such insight. We do, however, feel it slumped limp over our hearts. But…if you put your ear to the ground…you will hear the remnant.
The Healer — Erykah Badu
Those who carry and bear so we can push on. Those who lit our way through that fog of fear are calling, “Wake up, we miss you.” Transcending the labels of a season long gone, a growing mass rubs the sleep from it’s eyes.
Best of You — Foo Fighters
And now we are so close to the end of this chapter. So close to taking the right first step as we face a world so close to exacting justice on our sins and the sins of those before us. Humanity suffers in ways we wouldn’t believe if seen. The Earth responds to our indulgences.
There is a Way — Mos Def
These next two weeks require action. As do years to come. The next decade will require sacrifice, ingenuity, and strength. I’m not afraid, though. I’ve seen our resolve, patience, and voice carry us through these past eight years. I’ve watched us tempered in this blaze and standing, renewed. We have been transformed from a generation lost in their own folly to the keepers of our future. Who knew our search for “role models” would point back to us.
All That We Let In — Indigo Girls
This year, the act of voting is not enough. If you feel the storm of possibility and opposition colliding, you need to get your feet under you and start walking. So pick up your mantle, Mutherfucker, and they will tell stories of our glory for generations to come.
