Amandla!
"Song is what keeps us alive."
-- Lindiwe Zulu (Freedom Fighter)
From the beginning to the end of Apartheid in South Africa song played a critical part of resistance. Song comes from deep within all of us in our times of happiness and in our times of suffering. In twentieth century they were pushed to extremes and song broke out with tremendous power.
Documenting the music that came out of the struggle to end Apartheid is the subject of the new documentary Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony. Using one art form to express the power of another is a challenge but Lee Hirsch's inspiring film shows true mastery. With color as vivid as the emotions and cuts as fast as the dancing, Amandla! packs a whollop. See this film at your first opportunity, it is like no other.
As I watch the credits roll by I am overcome with emotion. Andy has commented to me many times that our protests against this war and occupation in Iraq need more song, more rhythm, more dance. How right he is. Two Saturday's ago the Rhythm Worker's Union showed up for the DC Area Peace Network feeder march to the major anti-war march with a drum caravan. Marching illegally in the street for eight blocks with the drums before the police shoved us on the sidewalk was invigorating. The music lit a fire in all of us. Our culture has silenced many of songs. I whistle or hum in public and people look at me as if I were out of my mind. To the contrary, when I have music in me I feel the distance between my thoughts and my feelings lessen. See this movie, I implore you.
I am reminded of Brad's lectures on South Africa in Modern Non-Western History. I see images of police holding Uzi's and I think of the shameful relationship of the Israeli government to the Apartheid regime. I think now, as Passover ends, how appropriate it is that I am reminded of the ongoing struggle for redemption and freedom. All peoples, and to not beat around the bush specifically the Palestinians, deserve freedom. Nobody, nobody ever for any reason, deserves to be shot at or chased by a tank. We may grudgingly accept war in some circumstances but let us never deceive ourselves. There is no such thing as heroism or glory. There is only horror and humanity standing against it. There are enough struggles to be had as free people, let us not give people needless pain.
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Who is this guy?
I also saw this film when it was here in Seattle... I thought it was beautiful. I'm glad you got to see it!