art

By Stephanie Jackson

Every movement has its anthem, but a song doesn’t have to be “I am Woman, Hear Me Roar” or “We Shall Overcome,” to be progressive. From John Lennon to Against Me!, many artists use their music as an expression of their social and political views, and we here at Stand Up have chosen our favorite political songs for the progressive mind. Since there were far too many pieces to choose from, instead we have arranged these songs by the topics they cover, with suggestions for further listening if the chosen work isn’t to your particular taste.

We have two fresh poems by Caitlin Smith, here are some excerpts. The full poems are after the jump.

“That Semi-Automatic Is Poppin’ it’s Love Drugs On Me Again”

I was told: “Don’t fight the system because the system always wins.”
Then I said: “fuck that shit, where’s my speakerphone.”

"What I Would Say"

I’m not gunna use
your rulers
your lined paper
or any of these erasers
you’re shovin’ at me.
I’m sick of these here
coloring books
with the crayon marks
fitting so perfectly inside the lines.
Give me that permanent marker
And toss me that blank piece of yellow paper.
And then I’ll show you a work of art.

Art by Alison Cundiff

Art by Kemi Oyebade

Art by Alison Cundiff

Poems By: Ryan Downey

Somewhere in the wreckage of the plane
A black box exists. 57 coast guard guys
Are searching for a black box. A trickster
painted it white and the guys are confused.
A diving team looks underneath the water.

Click Read More For A Sampling of Poetry from StandUp

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