COVID winter playlist, sad but happy

Three songs on your mind tonight. 

Greentea Peng - Revolution (Official Video)

Fiona Apple - Under The Table (Official Audio)

Steve Lacy - Playground (Official Video)

Anti-fascists sounded the warning, did anyone listen?

Antifa has become the “Big bad bogeyman” by those on the political right. I don’t think they understand or know what Antifa is. Antifa is short for anti-fascist and is a political movement, not an organization. 

Photo from https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm/segments/antifa-speech-free

“The warning signs before the Capitol riot” from Vox 

A virtual visit to George Floyd’s Square, Minneapolis

Minnesota Public Radio interviewed Jay Webb, 'This circle is about healing’: Gardener sees himself as caretaker of the energy at George Floyd’s Square.  

Webb thinks this place has had a positive impact on more than just this corner of the city. He said it's become a place of community action and healing, which is having a ripple effect on the world with demonstrations and safe spaces popping up everywhere you can think of.

Photos from my visit to George Floyd’s Square this summer. It was a profound and healing experience. 

Click here to see the interactive map of George Floyd’s Square.

2020 has been one hell of a year - open thread - message board

What can I say? 2020 has been a difficult year. What do you remember or what will stick out in your mind for 2020? I'm working on a year-end post and have been thinking about this in-depth. 

I will never forget this photo by Julio Cortez. A protester carries a U.S. flag upside down, a sign of distress, next to a burning building Thursday, May 28, 2020, in Minneapolis. Protests over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in police custody Monday, broke out in Minneapolis for a third straight night. See more at https://twitter.com/JulioCortez_AP/status/1266420693954105346

Post a memory about 2020, leave a message, or whatever. 

Something to think about -- Chris Hedges "The Politics of Cultural Despair"

"Author, activist and dissident Chris Hedges spoke at The Sanctuary for Independent Media in Troy NY on October 16, 2020. In this talk he examines the cultural and social forces that have given rise to extremism in the United States. He explores the myriad of factors that led to the proliferation of neo-fascist militias, extremist organizations, demagogic leaders, vast social divides defined by hate, a hyper nationalism and virulent racism as well as a mass media that has descended into burlesque and fans the flames of social disintegration. Meghan Marohn moderates a Q&A following the talk."

From Media Sanctuary, "Chris Hedges "The Politics of Cultural Despair"

Swedish Death Cleaning during the pandemic

I'm stuck inside in the winter, social distancing from others. It's a great time to clean and get rid of stuff. What is Swedish Death Cleaning?

Humans have polluted the earth with a lot of stuff, lots of garbage. Now, science had proved it, “Human-made materials may now outweigh all living things on Earth.” https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/09/world/human-made-mass-exceeds-biomass-report-2020/index.html 

Time to get rid of stuff and live a more simple life. 

Styles first-ever solo male on the cover of Vogue

I’ve never been into boy bands and had no idea who Harry Styles was until I saw the Watermelon Sugar video. I was impressed with his charisma that oozed out from the screen and his fashion style. He went from being in the Boy Band One Direction, a successful solo career, and now the first-ever man to be on the cover of Vogue by himself. https://www.cnn.com/style/article/harry-styles-vogue-cover-trnd/index.html 

Photo from Vogue Magazine https://www.vogue.com/article/harry-styles-cover-december-2020

“Watermelon Sugar”