Why do we need singing in this moment?
I return to Lu Aya + the Peace Poets’ HARMONIZING ORGANIZING manifesto over and over; it’s an invaluable primer laying out all the ways songs function in organizing work. Organizers and songleaders alike have lots of tangible lessons to absorb here 👀
Songs: Starter Packs
Liz’s List: Movement Songs to Meet This Moment
New
Zines to Download + Print
I have returned to this ritual-poem-spell by adrienne maree brown over and over lately, using it to close all kinds of singing, and so I made it into a little zine for anyone to print and share. I’ve added a section to be a call and response so the whole group can be involved, so you can rotate readers on each page, and each “TOGETHER” everyone responds, “We keep us safe” and after each “All Together,” folx respond, “We Keep Us Loved.”
(Here’s a video on how to cut and fold the zine into a little booklet, or a picture showing the steps).
The Soil Strategy: The Soil is More Important than the Seeds 👀
Ricardo Levins Morales is a local movement artist and elder here in Minneapolis, and his work on Tending the Soil, particularly the Soil Strategy #5, is a bedrock of cultural organizing work. You can download the zines for free here, or watch his videos explaining The Soil Strategy.
Singing at Direct Actions and for Movement Organizing
A shorter guide on how to lead movement singing from the Sunrise Movement
This article on why movements need to revive song culture
This solid guide on How to Lead Song at Direct Actions, from Singing for Ceasefire
What *is* Community Singing?
- This explanation from Iowa song matriarch Liz Rog on “What is Community Singing?”
- If you’re interested in leading singing, Liz Rog’s “Song Carrier Toolkit” is a solid book to start with!
- “Who is Community Singing For?” An Anti-Racist approach by Lauren McElroy, Jennifer Morales and Dodie Whitaker
Community Building
- y’all i’m obsessed with this short story by Naomi Kritzer: The Year Without Sunshine. (Sure it won the Hugo and the Nebula but this IS the world I wanna teach my kids to build, you in?)
- Running an Offers and Needs Market is one of my favorite ways to start cross-pollinating local community building- it’s very simple, you should try it!
Drums!
Liz plays a 12” pro model CajonTab from Louson Drums (affiliate link) and y’all they are a cool father and son team in Pennsylvania handcrafting these amazing instruments—the snare is removable, the bass hole has a cover, and they are a perfect picket line/protest portable instrument. Stickers not included though 🙂
if you put my name “liz_digitale_anderson” in the coupon code box it gives you 10% off
