power of the people
The past few months have been an enormous wakeup call for our world. Between COVID-19, Amy Cooper in Central Park, the brutal murder of George Floyd and the President posing with a Bible while protesters were getting tear gassed across the street, it is clear that we cannot stay asleep any longer.
We have a problem.
I believe at the core of that problem is fear.
Fear of not having enough leading us to greed.
Fear of being unworthy leading us to overextend ourselves, constantly wanting to prove our value.
Fear of not being loved leading us to grasp for attention in any way we can.
Fear of being useless leading us to endlessly seek more information and knowledge to better ourselves.
Fear of not being special leading us to be jealous of others for their unique gifts.
Fear of death and disease leading us to worry endlessly about our health, relying on drugs and doctors.
Fear of being alone leading us to complacency, never rocking the boat even in toxic relationships.
Fear of being controlled or trapped leading us to jump from one thing to the next, never content with what we have.
Fear makes us selfish. We only see our individual problems as we get lost in our own negative feedback loop. We become unaware of the people around us. Our energy is completely focused on our own issues.
When we are afraid, we give our power away. We think that material possessions, people, experiences and success make us powerful. We place our power OUTSIDE of ourselves.
We see this reflected in our country today. We’ve believed that there are limited resources on this planet and we must compete to make sure our needs are met. (Even though there is an abundance available if we could learn how to share… if we could turn “I” into “we.”) We have been driven by this self-centeredness into a system that selectively serves the people who made it. The system is built to protect white people, particularly rich and male. In order to keep the white man powerful, we have been oppressing others, robbing their land, using their labor and abusing them since the beginning of America.
How can we evolve into a better society when so many people are moving from this place of fear and selfishness? How can we heal when we are constantly distracted and overstimulated? How can we create new possibilities when the government and the media want us to feel helpless?
I don’t know all the answers. But I do know that change starts within.
I know that I can face my shadows, heal my pain and learn to love unconditionally. I know that I can use my voice as an artist to bring awareness. To open hearts. To change minds. To spread hope and empower others. To inspire and uplift.
WE are the power, people. We can make a difference. We can create a new reality for all. But first, we have to conquer our own addiction to fear and move into a place of love. We need to get beyond ourselves.
Power of the People
Getting beyond myself to help my brother out.
Tell me a way that I can start to see past the lines and
Break down the walls to realize another way.
How can I be afraid when my sister is bleeding out?
Hiding behind the lies my fathers told, it’s getting old.
Pulling the veil away and I won’t wait another day.
Cause I believe in the power of the people.
I will walk hand-in-hand. I will shout ’til the end.
I believe in the power of the people.
We will not compromise. We will stand side-by-side.
I can’t pretend that I will ever understand.
But I’ll bear this weight with you as we lay these demands
at the source of the problem, at the heart of the matter.
Now is the only time to rearrange. Make a real change.
Hiding behind the lies my fathers told, it’s getting old.
Pulling the veil away and I won’t wait another day.
I believe in the power of the people.
I will walk hand-in-hand. I will shout ’til the end.
I believe in the power of the people.
We will not compromise. We will stand side-by-side.
Stream on Spotify
Buy on iTunes
About the Song
This was the fastest turnaround I’ve ever had with an original song. I wrote it on June 7 with the help of Noah Sherwin and started working on production right away. It was definitely one of those ‘in the flow’ divine moments where the song pretty much wrote itself. Serendipitously, I was contacted the next day by a social justice leader in Orange County, asking if I could perform a song at the Black Lives Matter protest that Saturday. I felt the universe had a plan, so cancelled my gig I had scheduled that Saturday and said yes to the protest. Over the week, I worked with Tom Kendall Hughes (my amazing producer in Long Beach) to get a karaoke track completed. I got Ryan Marquez to add in organ & wurlitzer parts and Marisa Rambaran to add additional backup vocals. On the day of the protest, I magically met Gaston Castellanos who was capturing photo and video of the protest for Indivisible CA 39. He was so generous and kind, giving me permission to use his beautiful footage for my music video. The whole team worked hard to get everything together by my official release date on June 26. I am very grateful for the power of the people who made this song possible and hope it inspires many to unite and fight for justice. You can hear this song featured on Sister Helen Prejean’s Justice Train Playlist.
Dear Readers,
I hope you find ways to love more every day. Pray, meditate, listen, serve, slow down, laugh, be grateful.
As we make love a priority in our own lives, it will become a priority in the global consciousness. Love is power.
Here are some resources I have found helpful educating myself on becoming an ally and advocate for change:
Social Change Ecosystem - learn how your unique gifts can be utilized in this movement
Antiracism Resources for White People
What a World Without Cops Would Look Like
Oprah’s Where Do We Go From Here Livestream
Support Black-Owned Businesses
Donate to Equal Justice Initiative: https://eji.org
Instagram Accounts to Follow:
@thegreatUnlearn curated by @rachel.cargle
@austinchanning
@beabridgebuilder
@avaduvernay
@cjactionfund
@terisasiagatonu