The Revolution is Underway

Decades ago, Gil Scott Heron wrote his iconic poem 'The Revolution will not be Televised.'  Prior to the 2016 elections, I took a cue from him and wrote 'The Revolution is not Being Televised,' about the  mockery of democracy that we endured.

The past 2 years have been galvanizing, and we are seeing stunning progress.  I offer you this new edition,  updated for this week's elections.  Stay strong, stay outraged, stay engaged.

The Revolution is Underway

The revolution is not being televised,

as it doesn’t fit the program of reality shows and trash talk

designed to keep us docile.

Fed bullshit and kept in the dark,

we sprout in election years to dutifully

bend, fold, spindle and mutilate –

but the games of thrones are rigged and we are  

thrown on to the dung heap along with our ballots.

The revolution is not being televised,

but the midterm circuses have come to town -  

full of clown cars and cheerleaders,

and arena theatres of roaring lions.

They trot out their demagogues and snake-oil peddlers

to lull us into willing suspension of disbelief

happy complicity with the plot,

and even full-throated hallelujahs.

Brothers and Sisters,

Can I have an Amen?

The revolution will only be televised

when we turn off the TVs, come out of the dark

and hit the pavement, banging pots and pans,

when we bear witness as the new journalists

through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

when we demand that every citizen matters,

that every vote matters,

and the News Wires and pundits

are not the last word on the outcomes.

The revolution will only be televised

when we occupy not just the galleries,

but the seats of Congress with color,

with teachers, truck drivers and grocery cashiers.

One day our rainbow will rise in unanimous consent

for the precautionary principle and the greater good.

We will follow Big Money to its source

and Tie. Its. Hands.

Friends and neighbors

Can I have an Amen?

The revolution will only be televised

when Vloggers and hackers improv the teleplay on

YouTube, Twitter and Wikileaks,

when the sidewalk chalk, wheat-pasted handbills,

murals and graffiti call you to action,

when you learn to occupy the economy and the polls,

step up to craft the media

and disseminate the message.

The revolution is not being televised,

but it is broadcast 24/7

and the Masters of the Universe are not subscribed

to our flashmobs, podcasts and pirate radio.

Let them eat cake with their games of chess and battleship

while we livestream and tweet,

wield the clipboard and paint can

and take matters into our own hands.

Our cameras are held high, the red lights are on (hand on ear)

These are your tools

This is the moment

Pick them up and

Never (3 fingers)

Let them (2 fingers)

Go (point)