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Backlash to Republican voter suppression set to music

DemLabs blog

January 17, 2022

Nina Simone's Backlash captures the rising disgust at Republican racist voter suppression.

Nina Simone recorded Backlash in 1967. Fifty five years later, it captures the public disgust of racist Republican voter suppression.

What is the Freedom to Vote Act?

We the People deserve a responsive, accountable government that gives us all a stronger voice and puts our needs ahead of special interests. The Freedom To Vote Act is an urgently needed reforms that including fair redistricting standards, citizen-funded elections, closing the revolving door between government and corporate interests, and protecting voters against discrimination. - Common Cause

Call your senator to demand support for the freedom to Vote

Nina Simone's BackLash Blues captures the public disgust at racist Republican voter suppression.

Backlash Blues (1967)

"Simone’s symbolic song Backlash Blues was recorded in France in 1967. The lyrics to the song were written by Simone’s friend, poet Langston Hughes. The song is a 12-bar piece which opens with an instrumental, and Simone posing questions to “Mr. Backlash.” By utilizing the 12-bar blues style, Simone is “appealing to the entire African-American community to create a united front. She is also implicitly suggesting that the community should draw strength from its rich heritage.” Simone passionately uses the song to paint an image of the overt racism in the United States. She then gives a civil rights “warning,” and then shows aspiration for civil rights for all citizens in the final verse. - Jazz FM

Mr. Backlash, Mr. Backlash
Just who do think I am
You raise my taxes, freeze my wages
And send my son to Vietnam

You give me second class houses
And second class schools
Do you think that alla colored folks
Are just second class fools

Mr. Backlash, I'm gonna leave you
With the backlash blues

When I try to find a job
To earn a little cash
All you got to offer
Is your mean old white backlash

But the world is big
Big and bright and round
And it's full of folks like me
Who are black, yellow, beige and brown

Mr. Backlash, I'm gonna leave you
With the backlash blues

Mr. Backlash, Mr. Backlash
Just what do you think I got to lose
I'm gonna leave you
With the backlash blues
You're the one will have the blues
Not me, just wait and see

Social media resources for MLK Day

DFADs social media toolkit:  https://www.dfadcoalition.art/
Deliver For Voting Rights toolkit:  https://www.deliverforvotingrights.art/
A full library of voting rights GIFs: https://library.into-action.us/topic/protect-voting-rights/
A full library of MLK GIFs: https://library.into-action.us/topic/mlk-jr-day/

- Into Action Content Library

TakeAway: Support the right for all Americans' to vote.

Deepak
DemLabs

Backlash,voter suppression

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