The Power of Song: Relate, Create, Activate
Channel: The Center for Artistic Activism
Date: 2020-11-13

https://c4aa.org/2020/11/the-peace-poets

2020 has shown us the work ahead, and as we move forward we need actions that are exciting, celebratory, and keep people motivated and energized for the world we’re building. Without a strategy to activate our partners in this effort, chants turn into drones, and marches turn into slogs. Attending a protest starts to feel like an obligation, people get burned out, and energy fizzles.

But a demonstration can truly demonstrate the lively, active, joyful world we want, which includes people of all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds, and fuels our motivation and drive to continue. "Bodies" in a march can become people we walk alongside, fellow voices we sing with, and friends we share.

But how do we do it? First, we retire all the old chants: sorry, "Hey Hey, Ho Ho" has got to go. Next, we replace them with songs for this moment. The Peace Poets have a few to get you started.

How do you get people to sing? Watch the Peace Poets' Lu Aya share insights he's gained over the years.