2020 Primary Election
***She Persisted- Gina Chavez***
You may remember one of the defining moments in Senator Warren’s career or at least in the current resistance and feminist movement. Elizabeth Warren reading a letter written by Coretta Scott King at the confirmation hearing of Jeff Sessions of Alabama to become Attorney General. The letter by King was written 31 years earlier and urged Congress to block the nomination of Sessions for federal judge. Mrs. King knew that Sessions’ past practices of voter suppression and record of racism and misogyny would be detrimental to the treasured work and accomplishments of her late husband, Martin Luther King Jr. I am grateful for her letter and to Elizabeth Warren for having the courage to finish reading the letter she had been granted permission to read even when Moscow Mitch McConnell tried to silence her. His complaint of her behavior, “Nevertheless She Persisted” became a slogan used by women and men alike in praise of her conviction and to all the women who would rise up against this administration. If only, we could elect a woman as President of the United States of America, especially one like Elizabeth Warren. Oh wait, we can. VOTE!
Read the full letter by Coretta Scott King here:
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3259988-Scott-King-1986-Letter-and-Testimony-Signed.html#document/p1
***Impeach The President- The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble***
Acquitted by the U.S. Senate but forever Impeached on December 18, 2019.
Living in San Diego we are so lucky to have amazing local musicians and plenty of opportunity to enjoy them live. The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble is an eclectic, soulful and energetic band based right in my backyard and they deliver when I need some music therapy or a dance workout to help deal with the stress of our current political situation. Among the members of the band is Willie Fleming who along with sister, Anna Lee Fleming co founded Finnegan Blue, another local favorite band of ours. Both of these bands will have you dancing, clapping and forgetting about any political strife. Follow them on social media to find a performance near you. Speaking of local, support your local politicians as well as musicians. Choose the organizations and candidates you believe in and the change moves from the bottom to the top.
https://instagram.com/surefiresoulensemble?igshid=1rlbs8fkmwbdn
https://instagram.com/finneganbluesd?igshid=1hmskse3esufp
***If I Was President- Las Cafeteras***
One of my favorite bands, LA based, Las Cafeteras wrote a song about three years ago that describes what they’d hope for in a President or rather what they would do if they were the President. This band is a beautiful blending of cultures. Colorful, playful and socially vocal, Las Cafeteras is a show you don’t want to miss. The band recently endorsed Bernie Sanders and have joined him on the campaign trail, affectionately referring to him as Tio Bernie as they get out the vote to many young Latinos. I love how this band has supported Border Angels and collaborates with many other organizations and uses their art to bring attention to injustices everywhere. As for the endorsement of Sanders, I had long ago decided I would back Sanders if he were to win the nomination and still stand by the decision. However, his recent doubling down on past comments regarding Fidel Castro and Cuba are deeply disturbing and hurtful as a daughter of a Cuban born mother. The literacy program he speaks of was not as he describes, if repeating the descriptions as told by Castro or Che Guevara you have been fooled, you fell for the propaganda. I don’t believe Sanders to be a bad man but he’s among those that can’t seem to see the difference between the socialist fantasy and the truth. I’m not an economist and admit that it seems to be the hardest challenge to solve. Health care and education as a right would be a wonderful thing and I don’t think a younger generation should be considered lazy or entitled to hope for it’s access for all. I do, however, believe that although a difficult challenge it is one worth attempting to solve while always remembering the dangerous situation it has potential to lead us to and has others in the past. Respect those who suffered before you, don’t rewrite painful history to advance your ideals. When Fidel Castro died I shared this story of my abuela being punked by my brother and a comedic video to add to the celebration, yes, I celebrated. My mother and her family were dragged from their home and forced to leave all possessions and their beautiful island forever all in the name of Castro’s Communism, damn straight I celebrated.
‘Will never forget the look on my Abuela Dulce’s face when she saw that cover on the copy of National Enquirer someone snuck into her house. The phony headline of Castro’s passing. Her hand was on her head pushing back her silver hair and her mouth was agape. I love pranks but I remember feeling bad for her that the news wasn’t true.’
Below is a post by Marta Maria Darby, author of My Big Fat Cuban Family blog.
https://www.mybigfatcubanfamily.com/2016/11/at-long-last/
***Like a Girl- Lizzo***
“Woke up feeling like I just might run for president.”
Lizzo once called Elizabeth Warren “a dope candidate”. Seems like everyone and their mother just took a DNA test and found out they’re 100% something. I’ve been 100% ALL IN FOR WARREN and hopeful to finally see a woman in the Oval Office and no matter what happens I’m grateful for the strong women creating art and paving the way for the next generations. Lizzo is an example of amazing confidence, talent and badassery. Have you seen her play the flute?! Now if she could just Pied Piper the rats out of Washington and Warren fans to the polls. Check out Jimmy Kimmel’s idea of a LIZ/LIZZO ticket at 12:03 of the video below.
https://youtu.be/_CfXVlr_J-U
***The Man-Taylor Swift***
Would things be different right now in this race if she was a MAN? I can only wonder but it is definitely frustrating to feel that a candidate has the intelligence, experience of getting things done, confidence, tenacity, Lord knows she has the PLANS! Imagine the leadership that is tough yet compassionate and the potential to bring BIG, STRUCTURAL CHANGE! Would it be possible if she was a MAN?
https://youtu.be/AqAJLh9wuZ0
***Freedom ‘90- George Michael***
Again, can’t leave my number one out. This song kind of feels like it’s our democracy singing to us. Even George’s home country has had historical upheaval with Brexit. Don’t give up on Democracy, VOTE!
***What I’ve Seen- Allen Stone***
One of our favorite singers, Allen Stone’s latest album, Building Balance plays in our house just about every day. Grace and Conor sing along and dance to Brown Eyed Lover, Sweaters etc and snuggle to Give You Blue which has to be one of the best love songs ever. I love how the kids know their music and Grace told me Allen Stone reminds her of Stevie Wonder. Makes me prouder than a student of the month award. From an earlier self titled album, What I’ve Seen, Stone comes right out and says it in the first line: “Politicians manipulate minds”. Hoping for a President who won’t be beholden to corporations, lobbyists and foreign leaders. While we wait let’s keep listening to good music and singing and dancing with our kids.
***Freedom Highway- The Staples Singers***
Two days before Super Tuesday, on what marked the 55th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday”, the awful day in our history when police officers attacked and tear gassed black voter rights demonstrators marching from Selma to Montgomery, a remembrance was held. In spite of being diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, Congressman John Lewis, returned to the site of his gruesome beating that left him with a fractured skull, nearly killing him all those 55 years earlier. Lewis no stranger to civil rights activism, and an original Freedom Rider, was meant to survive and continue fighting for the rights of so many. It’s embarrassing that those battles are still raging. From Emmett Till to Trayvon Martin, from voter suppression that caused the original march in Selma to voter suppression that happened in Georgia against Stacey Abrams in the last mid term election and most likely during this primary in many places. John Lewis has famously been quoted as saying, “I never saw Bernie Sanders” he has since said he didn’t mean to disparage him and most of us have seen photos of Sanders participating in civil rights demonstrations in his youth, still his absence in this event was notable. Especially striking when all other candidates (except Gabbard) were present. I am grateful for fearless fighters like John Lewis. Love, healing and power to him always.
***Gaslighter- Dixie Chicks***
In 2003, while performing in London, Dixie Chicks front woman, Natalie Maines spoke out against then US president, George W. Bush. What followed was serious backlash from Country Radio and country music fans. News clips showed former fans breaking records, shouting at the band, they even received death threats. Three years later, Dixie Chicks released the song ‘Not Ready to Make Nice’ and well, it’s message is self explanatory. Some still agree that celebrities should stick to their movie and song scripts and quit using concerts and acceptance speeches to speak out against politicians or administrations but artists make art and these things usually inspire the songs they write about, movies they make and paintings on their canvas. Protect freedom of speech. Gaslighter, the Dixie Chicks next album is said to be inspired by Maines’ divorce but with a name like that, it deserves a spot on this playlist. The album comes out on May 1 but the first single by the same name has already dropped and I’m so happy to hear new songs by one of my favorite groups of all time. When the band collaborated on Taylor Swifts latest album, Lover I read comments on social media that they were making a comeback and while that may be true where new music is involved, they’ve never gone away in the Wallace household. They’ll be heard playing loud on any given day and Brian and I had a blast at their concert during their last tour just after the presidential election and one thing is for certain, they still speak their minds in between songs. Can’t wait to get tickets for the next tour!
***The Joke- Brandi Carlile***
This song won two Grammys with another win for the album from which it came, By the Way, I Forgive You, making a total of three wins out of six total nominations for Carlile that night. The Joke was aIso included in Billboard’s list of 100 songs that defined the decade. Wow! I can use this song for the topic of immigration by using the haunting line, “They come to kick dirt in your face, to call you weak and then displace you after carrying your baby on your back across the desert.” I already have another song for that so I’ll focus on a statement Carlile made, “....The song is just for people that feel under-represented, unloved or illegal.” Carlile, together with twin band mates, Tim and Phil Hanseroth, established The Looking Out Foundation a 501(c)(3), which they created to financially support causes they believe in. One of their biggest hits, The Story made them a six figure paycheck for use in a car ad and Brandi Carlile, the band, gave it all to their foundation. Brandi Carlile and wife, Catherine Shepherd raise their two daughters outside of Seattle. I recently added the song The Mother by Carlile to a playlist I made for a friend who is about to become a mother for the first time. Her baby girl is due one month from today and I wanted her to hear this beautiful song that so perfectly describes how the loss we face with motherhood is real but so worth it and insignificant when held up to all that is gained, with the great honor of loving and raising our children. This goes for all types of parents, whether biological, adopted, in hetero or same sex marriages, single parent households. I’ve repeated Manuel Miranda’s line of Love is Love is Love before and that certainly goes for parenting as well. I was asked by someone what I would think if Mayor Pete was elected President and we had a First Husband and my response was that my first choice for was Warren for the job and that would mean we’d have a First Husband but my second choice is Pete Buttigieg and that would also give us a First Husband and I’d be thrilled to have either. Below is link to statement by Representative Sean Maloney of NY speaking on how children will miss out on a chance of a happy, loving homes if hateful policies of discrimination against LGTBQ couples are put in place.
https://twitter.com/repseanmaloney/status/1233149129125171203?s=21
***No Such Thing- Sara Bareilles***
Amidst the Chaos is one of my all time favorite albums. I already included the song, ‘Armor’ on the last Election Day playlist and this time I added two. Maya and I made the trip up to the Hollywood Bowl to see Sara on her Amidst the Chaos tour and she described the song, ‘No Such Thing’ as basically a letter to the Obamas. Many of us have mourned the loss of our favorite First Family and she admits to feeling that way. Biden’s sudden surge is due mostly to the endorsement of James Clyburn in South Carolina, further helped by the endorsements of Buttigieg and Klobuchar but possibly the greatest reason people have trust in him is that Barack Obama trusted him to be his VP. The most sought after voter demographic is that of the black vote, more specifically the black women’s vote. Biden loves reminding everyone about the Obama/Biden team for help with his popularity, Barack Obama has yet to endorse any candidate and may skip it all together. One thing is for certain the Democratic Party seems to be joining together to force Biden in and leave Sanders out. Personally, after watching Biden’s victory speech live tonight I’d be much more comfortable voting for his wife, Jill Biden.
***A Safe Place to Land- Sara Bareilles (featuring John Legend)***
Sara Bareilles played Mary Magdalene to John Legend’s Jesus Christ in Jesus Christ Superstar Live. Their performances were beautiful and they bonded over important issues as well as talent and art. Listen to this song thinking of the countless children STILL separated from their families, their parents while locked in cages. Listen and try not to cry. When I worked for the Migrant Education Program there was a young girl a student in our caseload in Vista. She was in middle school and had witnessed her mother die in the desert as they made the journey to a better life. Imagine the trauma. There is STILL so much trauma happening daily. John Legend, the super talented, first black man to win EGOT and youngest person to win this high honor. He’s a dedicated husband, father, very charitable and socially active. I was thrilled when he announced he was endorsing Elizabeth Warren and enjoyed the speech he gave at their rally. To watch his speech, see link below. To donate to Border Angels see link below.
https://youtu.be/TwI_u_2eLvw
https://www.borderangels.org/
***Rise Up- Andra Day***
Originally from Washington state but moved to San Diego at the age of three, Andra Day is a source of pride for many locals. Day was a student at The San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, a school Maya toured and considered attending for High School. This song is a perfect listen if you need to pick yourself up again after a rough patch in this political process. Your favorite candidate might no longer be in the game or might be reassessing their next steps and path but we must rise up, dust ourselves off and focus all over again for the most important of goals.
***I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free- Nina Simone***
A true legend in the world of musicians, Nina Simone was also very socially active in the Civil Rights movement. Many cover her music, George Michael added the line, “You know, it’s too much to expect a man, a white man to do it like Nina.” to his cover of ‘Feeling Good. Sara Bareilles wrote a song on her latest album (yes, I’m referring to Amidst the Chaos again) called ‘Miss Simone’. This song is about falling in love and starting a life with her boyfriend, Joe Tippett.
Bloomberg is a bad choice because of his questionable past regarding statements towards or about women, NDAs and most importantly his Stop-and-Frisk policy and views on ‘redlining’. We need a president who is committed to creating a safe, fair, prosperous life with FREEDOM FOR ALL!
***We Didn’t Start the Fire- Billy Joel***
Billy Joel is a big deal in our house, he’s like our music hero. I had found myself wondering if Joel were to remake or add a second part to this hit song what would he be able to add that didn’t have to do with this nightmare of an administration. I heard he already addressed he wouldn’t be doing an updated version but then I found a guy on Twitter made one himself, pretty funny and horrifying and embarrassing all at once. After the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, VA, Joel wore a jacket adorned with a yellow Star of David on it. It may not have been as loud as the Dixie Chicks, but silent, subtle, visual messages are also impactful. I’ve seen Billy Joel live more times than any other artist and I hope I get a chance to see him at Madison Square Garden before he packs it in. Musical Hero.
https://www.racked.com/2018/7/23/17604226/billy-joel-madison-square-garden-trump-yellow-star-of-david
https://www.215music.net/twitter-wdstf.html
***Love Song to the Earth- Paul McCartney with special guests (SO MANY special guests)***
The climate crisis is top of the list for many voters. Working on this issue will have a positive impact on the job market as well as health conditions for everyone from the cleaner air we might breathe to the chemicals and plastic we ingest. Our earth is heating, ice caps are melting, continents are burning, entire species of animals are being eliminated from the planet. Don’t believe greedy politicians who are in bed with fossil fuel or stupid presidents who believe windmills cause cancer or people who think we can shoot down hurricanes. Embarrassing when it takes a (then) 15 year old to school the world on the Climate Crisis. Listen to the young. Thank you Greta Thunberg my kids are listening to you.
https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/primary-election-2020/pl.u-kegaFdJR3l
