Urbmob

Yes We Did Billy Bragg

posted Friday, Jun 06, 2008

I had been wanting to write something about Barack Obama’s historic win on Tuesday night, but I couldn’t find the words to accurately capture what it truly meant to me.

Last night, while listening to English political singer Billy Bragg the true meaning of Obama’s victory finally resonated. Billy Bragg is as known for his (very liberal) political speeches as he is his music. Last night (after a slow start) he was fired up. The concert was held in an old church. Perhaps, it was an odd place for a radical political message. Yet, at the same time it felt entirely appropriate.

Bragg skillfully used the venue to introduce a new song about faith. During the introduction, he made the stunning point that while we were gathered for a secular event and that while many of us didn’t share the same religious faith (a very personal decision for each of us), the universal faith we share, the faith that transcends our differences, is the ability in each of us to overcome our cynicism and make a positive difference in this world. Faith is the belief we have in our brothers and sisters, that when we have a choice, we will choose the good. Yes we can.

Yes, this statement borders on the superficial. Yes, it almost sounds cliched. But what Billy Bragg has faith in, and what will propel Obama to the White House in November is the faith his campaign showed in all of us. Obama’s faith is that we are a better people than our history suggests. Yes we can.

What does this radical English folk singer and Obama have in common with Hip Hop?

Everything.

Billy Bragg told the story about how he attended the Rock Against Racism music festival in London in 1978 where he heard The Clash for the first time as a teenager. Rock Against Racism was a movement fueled by music. He talked about how the music brought together thousands of young people who had the courage to believe they could. It was the music that caused him to believe that he was part of something bigger than himself. It was the music that made him think he too could change the world.

I’m old enough now to know that the political process is an imperfect vessel. I worry that when Obama does win the White House, his Presidency will be burdened by impossible expectations. But what Billy Bragg reminded me of last night (and what strikes me each day when I listen to your music and hear your stories on Urbmob) is that each of us, despite our backgrounds, has the ability to make positive change. What bring us together is that each of us on Urbmob has decided to make that change through music.

I’m reminded by each of you, that in a cynical age, it is music that can bring us together. Music can break down walls. Music can change the world.

The poet Shelly once wrote that, “poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world”.

Naive? Perhaps. But then again, “they said this day would never come”.