One of the spoken word artists was performing at Power Shift 2007 and I stood captivated. “There is something in the water. But my melanin will not protect me from my fears. There is something in the water…”* It was one of the first times I truly understood the connection between art and activism. A year and a half later I wrote and performed my first piece of spoken word at the Energy Action Coalition Power Vote training.
Art (spoken, visual, musical) communicates the emotion and passion and values behind the work that we do in a way that sticks in our memory. On a daily basis organizers in our movement face the weight of global problems, widespread injustice and a system tilted against us, yet we persevere in large part through support and encouragement of this community. Sometimes that is best communicated through art.
Recognizing the importance of creative expression in our movement, It’s Getting Hot In Here is hosting a month-long series called “Create Our Climate,” which will feature video, poetry, prose, visual art and music from this community. If you have already created such a piece and want to share it, sign up! If you want to specifically create a piece for this series, sign up!
Even if you’ve never posted anything before, we want your contribution. We are all artists and have something to share.
*To this day I still can’t find the video of that performance. If anyone knows where I can find it, please share!
