As a team, we’ve started 2015 reflecting on our work and ourselves in a training with Global Journalist Security. This is how I came up with the theme for our first Music Monday playlist of the year – songs to inspire activists’ work day because every day is a new beginning…
Last year, WITNESS curated 800+ human rights videos for our Human Rights Channel with a wrap up of them in our 2014 Year in Review. We conducted and hosted workshops around the world. We’ve published 1K posts about human rights videos, activists, safety, security, ethics and more. We developed new training materials for activists. For all that we do, more can always be done.
Let’s support each other with a little inspiration, please share your motivating work day song in the comment section below while you listen to this playlist.
Hometown Glory by Adele – Lyrics: I like it in the city when two worlds collide, You get the people and the government, Everybody taking different sides, Shows that we ain’t gonna stand, Shows that we are united
Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield – Lyrics: Drench yourself in words unspoken, Live your life with arms wide open, Today is where your book begins, The rest is still unwritten
I Can See Clearly by Dr. Jimmy Cliff – “Always trust in the rainbow, especially in the wildest storm…” ~ PeacePiper Tony, online WITNESS Ambassador
Lovely Day by Bill Withers – “This song reminds me to focus on what’s going well instead of what’s going wrong. When I do that I feel better and inspired throughout the day.” ~ Greg, staff
Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise by The Avett Brothers – “I think this one is about subverting systems and starting down the path of building a better world for the sake of those who don’t see problems in society, with fellow citizens who do, and as a way of releasing one’s own psychological burdens. Certain lines, especially, “and your life doesn’t change by the man that’s elected” will resonate. Folk music is a historically potent genre for activists and it’s important to recognize that there are a lot of folk and alt/folk musicians carrying out that legacy today. This song gave me inspiration when race-based and gender-based violence affected people I know in my college community this past semester.” ~ Jamie, WITNESS intern alumna
Para Agradecer by Chicano Batman – “So it’s not necessarily about Beginnings or Fresh Starts except that it begins with the lyrics, “Buenos días mi amor. Buenos días corazón. Le doy gracias a la vida.” Or, in English, “Good morning my love, good morning my sweetheart. I give thanks for life.” After hearing this East LA group perform this song last night, I thought, I want to start every day listening to this! It’s a reminder to me that, however our days might end, each morning is an opportunity to start fresh with an appreciation for our life, our love, and whatever opportunities our day might bring.” ~ Madeleine Bair, staff
Featured image for this Music Monday By #Fuzz as seen on The Backpack Manifesto
