Friday, November 9, 2018

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)

No comments:

Post a Comment