Tracy Chapman — Talking About A Revolution

Editor’s Note: Dani Voirin, our Paris-based photography editor, sent in this video for today’s post. She feels, and I agree, that it’s fitting for the moment we’re in today. –RA

4 thoughts on “Tracy Chapman — Talking About A Revolution”

  1. Yeah stonetotem.

    I was going to post: let’s vote. is this the most beautiful human being you have ever beheld or…what?

    I realize there’s only one candidate, but I have less time than I used to.

    ~j

  2. How beautiful. Watching this brought tears to my eyes, as though the world was opening up all over again as it did on Tuesday night. Her smile at the end is so poignant. A Goddess. I had forgotten about Tracy – time to go pull out the old cds.

    I want to see more and more images like this – more and more people of color, women of all ages – strong, intelligent and inspiring. Not the “beautiful” people, but real people – the people whose inner beauty lights them up.

    I’ve been thinking alot about how intelligence and steadiness won out over fear and bullying – and maybe we don’t have so much to be afraid of. Yes, it’s going to be extremely hard, but with intelligence and patient determination, and a more sensitive, inclusive world view, we can transform ourselves and the world. My hope is that at this moment in history, all the many people who have been doing their inner work can take the next step, sending the energy out into their communities and beyond, inspiring more and more change – and more and more people to take up this work. It wouldn’t look like any other revolution, but we are on the cusp of a new age and we must find new ways toward the future.

  3. Speaking of ‘Good Times’ (yes, well there WERE good times despite the world of fire we lived in in Detroi in the 60s and on into the 70s).

    My Auditorium teacher (yes, in those days we had “Auditorium” class. Why, we even had Art and Music too! And instruments were taught in school and wow! The good ol’ days) anyway; Mrs. Blackwell was friends with Miriam Makeba – anyone remember her? Mrs. B brought M.M. into school to perform for us at the height of her career (http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=kCc61z9IFu4)

    My baby-sitter dated Stevie Wonder; I was in classes with one of his many younger siblings. Members of the ever evolving Temptations lived next door to various school friends over the years; Diana Ross attended my high school as did many others of note; a now well-known African-American actor was in sculpture class with me – still have photos of him dressed like Santa and sitting us on his lap one Christmas.

    Yep — Tracy may not herald from Detroit during those tumultuous bad times – but she does remind me of the power that rose from within individuals and communities at a time when they shouted “enough” loud and long — and rose to stand tall and rise above that which would oppress.

    We stand now at the Crossroads (http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=w3PX267adKs)

    In Light,
    Linda

  4. Haha! I laugh out loud with joy. Tracy’s Revolution is one of many of her awesome tunes running through my iPod every day as I work out – and one of my favorites.

    I find myself re-visioning my childhood much these days – there was a period of years during elementary school when we no longer sang the national anthem at events — we sang “We Shall Overcome”. ‘Good times’ (if you know what I mean)………..

    xoxo

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