Can you hear the people sing?
In my last Substack post, I highlighted the various ways I intend to maintain my mental health during Trump 2.0. I have chosen my battles carefully and continued to pay attention in the past weeks. Lately, I find myself reflecting on the role and power of art. From many in my social circle, I hear crickets responding to the rapid disintegration of our “democratic” way of life. While they may have no words, I find it unconscionable to remain silent. I wonder if my role is to help awaken the silently “woke” people.
For those of us paying attention, we are in an unprecedented time. As a longtime activist, treehugger, and supporter of humanity, I have been plugged in and committed to fighting back. Yet, I have never seen the levels of egregious disregard for humanity that I see coming from the new presidential administration. (A short refresher via links here: this past weekend was the illegal arrest of a green card holder and Columbia University alumni activist by ICE, last month’s slashing of federal workers (and national park employees!!) by an unelected bureaucrat, and the hypocritical censure of Representative Al Green at the State of Union.)
For these and many other shenanigans, I am without words. Victor Hugo, author of Les Misérables, wrote,”Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.” As a tribute to this sentiment, I turn to the power of song.
Songs of Resistance
1. Les Misérables | Do You Hear the People Sing?
From the works of Victor Hugo, the musical Les Miserables is one of the longest-running musicals on Broadway. The movie edition depicts this scene in Paris where a funeral procession turns into a statement of collective power.
In the notes regarding his work, Hugo wrote this prescient note to his Italian publisher:
“Social problems go beyond frontiers. Humankind’s wounds, those huge sores that litter the world, do not stop at the blue and red lines drawn on maps. Wherever men go in ignorance or despair, wherever women sell themselves for bread, wherever children lack a book to learn from or a warm hearth, Les Misérables knocks at the door and says: “open up, I am here for you”.
This song has been sung in a number of salient political moments. I especially loved to see the US Army Chorus sing this at the 2025 Governor’s Ball.
If the US Army Choir has the courage to sing this in front of our political leaders, including the angry orange man, what is stopping other Americans?
2. The classic Italian protest song Bella Ciao
This classic song was first sung to protest the poor working conditions in northern Italy. During World War II, it was used to resist the power of German Nazis and other fascists.
Tom Waits sings the lyrics of Bella Ciao in a collaboration with videos of protests against the positions of Trump 1.0. The clip indicates the courageous protestors speaking out against the racist approach being taken by the Trump administration in immigration.
This YouTube short shows this song being sung as recent resistance in front of an anti-immigrant party in Germany (AfD).
3. My Curated Playlist on Justice
As a gift to the reader, please enjoy my playlist centered on global justice. The list of songs spans different genres and languages. In it, I carry forward the hope that music can unite us as we grow courages to answer the demands of justice. I have selected this assortment of videos as the lyrics and images together deliver a powerful statement. Two exceptional videos are highlighted here.
(1) Classic Indian dance set with a poem by Nikita Gill recited by Anousha Shankar along with her masterful sitar playing.
(2) On of my favorite lyricists and artists is the Puerto Rican badass Residente. This video is his response to “This Is America” a song by American rapper Childish Gambino. Residente’s work is a powerful and graphic reminder of the history of colonialism on this continent.
4. The Radical Act of Caring in Public
I believe our capacity to show empathy for others makes us human. In the same vein, imagine if you were born in a different land or to different parents. It takes an act of caring to feel for those who may be situated in other ways. Below are the details for an event announcement where I will share two poems on these themes.
The below text is taken from the Instagram post announcing this event provided here as a courtesy.
(Announcing our Featured Guests for OPENING NIGHT THIS FRIDAY: Poet @sabrinaofatlanta , Storyteller @jawahir_kamil & our curator @johnnyarthur7 will help weave the stories of struggle and resilience as documented in this exhibit by offering orated pieces of their own. Mark your calendars and stay tuned — schedule TBA TOMORROW.
Save the Date: On Friday March 14th, ATL Radical Art & @wrfgatlanta Soapbox Gallery will be opening our newest exhibit entitled ‘Colonial Casualties: Struggle & Resiliency Against Empire’ curated by John Arthur Brown, Artist Member of ATL Radical Art. STAY TUNED for more details and evening schedule! Showing March 14th- May 4th 2025 SOAPBOX GALLERY, 1083 Austin Ave. 2nd Floor.
ABOUT: ‘Colonial Casualties’ is a body of photographic work curated by John Arthur Brown that centers the struggle & resiliency of the Global Majority, as seen through the immigrant and refugee experience under Empire. Brown embarks on illustrating the ways in which colonial expansionism and its global hegemony manufactures, often through ethnic cleansing campaigns and other means of erasure and displacement, the conditions that necessitate migration and create refugees. ‘Colonial Casualties’ looks at the lived experiences of immigrants and refugees as they seek relief away from their homelands.)
This Substack, Sabrina’s Newsletter with theme for “Humaning,” began as a testament to care. The community that helped me heal after my tragic and freak accident reminded me of the power of care. Strangers and acquaintances came out of the woodwork to check on me. While their lives demanded so much from them, people came to check on me. Caring for one another is a radical act.
I invite every reader here to share in this radical act with me.
