We invite individual visual and performing artists, writers, bookstores, book clubs, brave non-profit or government organizations and other individuals or groups across the USA to independently “flood the zone” with creativity, for Create to Liberate, Saturday, April 19, 2025.
Think of the following idea as a pilot light for the creative fire within you (if yours needs to be lit.)
Create to Liberate Idea No. 9
“No justice, no peace!”
“What do we want? Freedom! When do we want it? Now!”
My dudes, we have been using these basic protest chants since the 1950s. Give it a rest.
For the arts revolution on April 19, consider getting your church choir, frisbee golf team, book club or other personal network together. Generate new and creative chants you can recite in public … and in protest.
It’s writing. It’s choral work. It could include choreography. It might go more viral when shared on social media.
It is art activism.
MAGA hates art activism. We love that for them.
Broken backstory
Protest chants have ancient roots, from the cries of oppressed workers in ancient Egypt to the rallying calls of the French Revolution. In the 1960s, the civil rights movement in the U.S. saw a surge in protest songs and chants.
Similarly, anti-war chants during the Vietnam War era resonated with a generation disillusioned with the establishment.
Some may remember “Hell no, we won’t go!” and “Power to the people!” or the songs “We shall Overcome” and “Give Peace a Chance.”
But it’s 2025!! Dipping into 1960s repertoire now would be as if the anti-Vietnam War protesters had marched to the Victorian-era cry of:
“As we come marching, marching, in the beauty of the day,
A million darkened kitchens, a thousand mill-lofts gray.”
So, where can our new material come from?
Perhaps we adapt rather than adopt from the past. With a little rewriting, you could have a chant or song that is both new and comfortable.
African American work songs and “field hollers”
African American work songs originally developed in the era of slavery, between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries. Here are relevant stanzas to “Old Daniel.”
“You call yourself church member,
You hold your head so high,
You praise God with your glittering tongue,
But you leave all your heart behind.“
Military cadences and “Jody calls”
The call-and-response format helps keep soldiers in step and focused during their training. Here is a classic that could be adapted for our current dystopia:
“Ain’t no use in lookin’ down (Ain’t no use in lookin’ down.)
Ain’t no discharge on the ground. (Ain’t no discharge on the ground.)
Ain’t no use in lookin’ back. (Ain’t no use in lookin’ back.)
Jody’s got your Cadillac. (Jody’s got your Cadillac.)”
1940s chain gang songs
“Rosie” is a well-known chain work song that written by inmates of the Mississippi State Penitentiary Parchman work camp in the 1940s. Sounds like a potential anthem for transgender and non-binary people.
“Be my woman, gal I’ll (Be your man!)
Be my woman, gal I’ll (Be your man!)
Be my woman, gal I’ll (Be your man!)
Every day’s a Sunday, dollar (In your hand!)
In your hand, Lordy (In your hand!)
Every day is a Sunday, dollar (In your hand!)”
GIFs, stickers and memes
There’s no reason that the visual communication of the 21st Century cannot be adapted into chants. Scrolling through Tenor we found ourselves inspired by “At least you tried,” “Can’t stop, won’t stop” and “We rise, we exist, we resist.”
Drumline
Contemporary marching band percussion cadences also provide terrific inspiration. The audio previews at J.W. Pepper will get your creative juices flowing. (Check out “Grizzly Funk” and “Boogie Beat.”) Better yet, summon your kids’ school drum rank to back you up.
Tap into your creative power. We believe you can produce something more original than:
“Hey, hey. Ho, ho. Elon Musk has got to go.”
Or:
“Citizens. United. Needs to be ignited.”
Although you might keep both those up your sleeve.
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