A Million Hoodies March

Trayvon didn't die in vain.
Just yesterday I didn't even know his name.
But today we have opened up a new discussion about race
and with a little understanding the whole culture can change.
Justice for Trayvon.

"I'm having Issues"

"I’m having Issues.”

I wanted to start by saying something that celebrates women. 
All to often, it’s a kind of bad news to be one, 
the lie that we live in that we all have the same freedoms.

It’s enough just to look at the worldview to know 
that however far we have come on this issue  
there’s still a long way to go.

So, to celebrate women, first you must find them, 
(they're usually behind the scenes). 

The marginalized, often despised strong women of the world, 
making history and babies and poetry happen since time began.

You know that expression, “He’s a self-made man.”?

There is no corresponding phrase for women, because ALL women 
are self-made women.

Any woman who survived her childhood and managed to escape 
the kitchen is a self-made woman, there is no need to make the distinction. 

In fact, if a woman isn’t making it on her own, 
she is considered “taken care of”.

It’s a strange thing to love being female in the face of such 
blatant hatred towards us.

Now, I say hatred so as not to be confused, I’m not  
just a little bit upset about a few slanderous remarks from some fat talking heads, or the comments from Republican representatives that’ll make your stomach clench up and your hands coil into fists-

I am talking about the sheer amount of rapists, and murderers, and predators that exist in this sick society that we live in. 

Because Patriarchy is a vicious system, full of wage gaps and rape victims.

And I’m watching as they attack the hard earned rights of women in this country, and those gains, my friends, are not going to be let go of quietly.

I, for one, think they should be fought for and protected.

But then, I guess that makes me a militant feminist- so go ahead-

call me all your names. 
You know, I don’t even flinch at name calling anymore.

Doesn’t mean I want to debate this shit with every meat-head I meet, either.

Can you believe that some days I just get sick of hearing it altogether?

You know what else I’m sick of hearing? You throw like a girl.

“Oh, you throw like a girl.” you throw like a girl.

Damn it, I am a girl! So why should I aspire to throw any other way?

Like you think it’s so great that you got all the upper body strength.

Man, I have the strength of connectedness. 

I am the Earth and its consciousness and yes, I throw like a girl.

I’m better at a lot of things and I think that the point is that

Equality isn’t about treating everyone the same cause 
we’re all the same, ok?

It’s about treating everyone with respect 
because we’re all different.

That there are strengths and weaknesses in each of us.

And that we may learn from each other’s experiences.

Cause me? Man, I’m all about the win-win.

I’m all about the putting time into the collective, because together we are greater than

And men- if you can’t see that "Women’s Issues" are of your concern too

then I’m afraid we’re all screwed!

So, it should bother you when Republicans try to throw us under the bus.

It should bother you that they want us all bare foot and pregnant.

And ladies and gentlemen, if you think you’ve had enough yet, it’s time to tell them.

This isn’t about contraception. It’s about adequate healthcare and education in the first place. It’s about getting paid 80 cents on the dollar still, and being told to cough it up for daycare- I mean, they got us coming and going, don’t they?

They got us squabbling about it on Election Day, 

and I’m telling you-

don’t be fooled. 

They will divide us any way that they can

because when we come together- we are greater than.

And women: 

The calamities of the world are Women’s Issues.

This ten-year war on terror is affecting women too. 
The holes in the Ozone layer and the prison systems and the lunches that they’re feeding to the kids in the schools- is our issue.

And, frankly, we’ve got a lot of work to do.

To find peace (and I mean for everyone).

To protect and replace the social safety net that  
we put there, and for a good reason.

To stamp out greed, and hatred, and corruption,

and learn to see every injustice as the problem,

and learn how to put our two cents in to help solve them.

Because the future is brand new.

So what are the women and men of conscience going to do?

Cause when it comes down to it, it’s ganna be up to me and you. 

spring around the bend

So it's a sunny, cold day in February and Spring is just around the corner. I know that winter this year has been a tame beast, but I'm ready for Spring. I am starting to think about my garden, and this season of Occupy, and of all things improving for the sake of more sunshine. I am also happy to be writing again! Its time to get some things I've been tossing around actually off the ground. It's funny, because winter is supposed to be the time we turn in and create our best work. But this winter was never that bad, the cabin fever never set it.

But I am happy to have some upcoming events to get ready for! For a busy bee like me, that is just the motivation I need to get some good work done.

I was just asked to "do a reading" at a Women's day event. I like the inaccuracy of that. I don't "read" the poems, I spit them at you. I shout and curse.

It's the stuff of open mic nights, not exactly a "reading", but in any case I'm excited.

I was also asked to do a poem or two at a fundraiser that MPAC (Minnesota Peace Action Coalition) is doing in April. It will be our usual gathering at The Black Dog cafe (good coffee and good politics) and the funds will go to sending people to Chicago for the NATO/G8 protest later in May. The only problem, really, is that i don't have any new material.

So good things ahead! Just got to sit down and write it.

An (amended yet again) Open Letter

In the latest version of my poem An Open Letter to the FBI I've included a quick remark about Ernest Hemingway. I did not mean for this to be some obscure gesture toward the fact that the FBI spys on our celebrities too. It is actually a recent article published in the New York Times by a close friend of Hemingway's, and I think it deserves mention. In July of 2011, A. E. Hotchner told us the truth about what happen to the famous writer in the last years of his life. (I strongly suggest that you read it for yourself: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/02/opinion/02hotchner.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all )
It tells of how Hemingway was hounded by the government for trips that he took to Cuba. That Hemingway knew this, and was paranoid and depressed, and eventually ended his own life. At the time no one believed him. But because of a recent FOIA request having gone public (that's Freedom Of Information Act) the whole thing turns out to be true!
It is disturbing and alarming that our government was and is capable of harassing a man into ending his own life. That it is a tactic that they use (as you may know, Dr. Martin Luther King also received phone calls from the Feds suggesting he give up now and take his own life).
But the other thing that really bothers me about this, is that it demonstrates how commonplace this kind of repression is. That this is how our government has conducted itself since the McCarthy era, and that to this day it continues.
Tonight is the Concert/Cd release party for the Committee to Stop FBI repression, and I am really looking forward. I am going to do this poem at the show (yippie!) and its ganna be great. But I do just want to take a moment to point out how serious the situation really is. We have to spread this message far and wide (before they scrub the Internet of its existence). This cannot be allowed to continue. We need to stand up to them. The people should not be afraid of their government, the government should be afraid of its people.

5 good reasons why YOU should come to the show next Saturday

1. All of the coolest organizers in the Twin Cities are going to be there. The Committee to Stop FBI Repression is comprised of many groups, as well as ordinary citizens, who see these attacks of the anti-war movement as attacks on us all. Working for peace and justice is not a crime in this country. Yet, with the recent treatment of Occupy protesters, the passing of the NDAA, and the new laws in place in Chicago in preparation for the NATO/G8 protests this Spring, it is clear that state repression is a hot topic.
Come and support the national group that wants to put a stop to it.

2. We have an awesome line up and it is going to be an amazing show. This concert is ganna be a blast! Featuring Guante and DJ Shannon Blowtorch, there will also be performances by James Houck, Housepet, The Running Riot, Dead Skull and poetry by yours truly! I am so excited to be a part of this project and to have one of my poems on this album. I think that art and creativity are what makes our movements strong. And the chance to put all these things together like this is the reason I am an activist. It's the reason I write poetry. Music with a message, and a fun night out that makes a real difference. What else where you going to do this weekend?

3. The benefit album is so good, you want an actual copy not just the download. I mean, what's not to love? There is definitely something for everyone on this album. It features new music from local artists, who have all donated their talents to this cause. In fact, the whole production- from making flyers to finding a venue- has been an amazing community effort. Come celebrate the release with us, and help us raise some money for future organizing efforts. Besides concerts, the CSFR brings you more protests, community dinners, out reach and good old grassroots organizing. Not every CD in your collection can do all that.

4. Not only will the CD be there for sale, so will all our other merch! This is your chance to get CSFR t-shirts, hoodies, buttons and stickers as well! Remember this is a fundraiser, people. You definitely want to check out the table in the back of the room. We also tend to carry a lot of informational flyers, and you can get up to date on the case and all our upcoming events. Sign the petition and get on our email list (and you don't have to wait for the concert to like us on facebook!)

5. FBI repression: you could be doing more. The fact is, this is serious business. We wouldn't be here today without the support of our friends and community, and we need all the help we can get. Political dissent is not a crime, in fact, it is essential to a working democracy. Help us defend our rights to speak, assemble and associate freely. These 23 people standing up to the Grand Jury, are being targeted for their work as organizers, something that in times like these is desperately needed.
Together we can do something about it.
To do it together, we need you.


Now, don't worry. If you absolutely cannot make it to the show this Saturday, you can still download the album at http://www.stopfbi.bandcamp.com/
And, of course, you can always donate directly to us on our website http://www.stopfbi.net/
(Money helps, but we like volunteers more).
Hope to see you at the show!

Peace
Misty

Benefit Concert/album release for CSFR

Hey Folks!

So, my little blog has actually gotten some traffic lately, due to the new album we put together for the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, and I thought I should at least mention the CD and the coming show.
So for anyone who is new:

Welcome!

I am really excited for this show. I have always believed that when artists and activists come together we are unstoppable. I am glad to be a part of this project, and that I get to perform at the show!!!

You are all invited, by the way.

It's going to be February 18th at the 400 bar in Mpls (8pm)
Come and support the cause, come and support the community
(and me).
It is going to be such a fun night.
I can hardly wait.

Peace,
Misty

P.s. Oh yeah! And go download the album at http://stopfbi.bandcamp.com

Opening day of MN legislator (speech)

Speech for the opening day of legislator at the Capitol, Jan 24th 2012
Anti-War Committee, as a part of the People’s Bailout Coalition

To the politicians: Politicians. I came here today with a message from the people. Now, you may not know who we are, hell, I don’t know who most of you are. I don’t honestly have much use for that information, because as long as I have been alive it has been true that politicians follow the money, they listen to their lobbyists, and they do what their friends in business want them to do.
And that they do not represent us.

It has been true, but I’m here today to tell you that things have changed.

I was here last year, actually. I stood right here on the opening day of legislator and I gave a speech on the interrelatedness of injustice and war and poverty- a year ago. So I can tell you that we are in a totally different political climate, just one year later. Because Occupy Wall Street is a wake-up call to all who choose to listen. And we, as a people, as a nation, are waking up. The 99% are coming to attention, they’re coming to actions. Its amazing.

For those of us who were singing this tune all along it comes as no surprise. If anything, it has been a long time coming. Until finally, we realized that the power of the people is greater than the dollar. We are stronger, our voices carry louder than the corporate controlled media can ignore. Which is why it is so important for us to be here today, to stand up and speak out and tell these politicians how we feel.

Now, I just want to back up and say that I am here today representing the anti war committee. The AWC has been a part of The People’s Bailout Coalition since it’s inception because we understand that there is a direct link between the War on Terror and the war that’s being waged right here at home on the poor people of this country, and of this state. And when we stand up for the quality of life of Minnesotans, struggling to heat their homes, struggling just to keep their homes,
we are also acutely aware of the quality of life for the people of Iraq and Afghanistan (or anywhere, really, that has something that our government wants) who
–just like us- want to live free of fear, and go to work and school and live in peace.

When we say End the War we mean cut the funding! Cause we know that for ten years and counting, this war has been costing us in so many more ways than money. But the war profiteers are still not satisfied. And while billions of our tax dollars are being spent on bombs that keep the peace, drone planes that supposedly miss civilians, and FBI investigations that destroy our civil liberties, the whatever's left is being parceled out to inadequate health care, overwhelmed public schools and all but derailed social services.

And we’ve had enough! Minnesotans want to see their tax dollars go to Minnesotans in need, not to kill people in other countries -just to line the pockets of the 1%!


Politicians, take heed. We are awake. And we are watching you too, now. Watching what you do, and where your values lie. We are here to tell you that we want an end to militarization. We want an end to poverty. If you’re looking for some money in the budget somewhere, I say TAX THE RICH! They got us into this mess. They have profited off of us for long enough, and we have had enough of it.

Mark my words. If we can come this far in one year, think of where we will be a year from now. And the year after that. The time has come, and we the people will change this world, with or without you politicians, things are never ganna be the same. My best advice to you is to get on board!