He may be best known for his music, but Michael Franti is also an outspoken leader and activist. He strives to make a difference by promoting peace and social justice, in a time when most people can agree we need it most. Over the past two decades, Franti has been invoking change by proactively creating and supporting numerous environmental, humanitarian and social causes, often using music as a vehicle to positively inspire and engage the country.
Recently, Americans have been forced to recognize a nationwide issue that cannot be ignored or denied. In wake of recent tragedies, the tensions that have been swelling for years between local communities and law enforcement agencies have been amplified for all see. It is time for our country to fully acknowledge this situation and stand up together to demand change.
Communication is vital for understanding, and people like Franti are speaking-out in an attempt to better our situation by spreading awareness. We need a call for peace between police and the communities they are supposed to protect. This week, Franti released a powerful new song and video titled “Same As It Ever Was (Start Today).” This music release is in direct response to the latest police killings of unarmed African American’s Michael Brown and Eric Garner, along with the grand jury dismissals of the cases.
Read what Michael Franti had to say:
“I was working in the studio in Miami on Saturday, December 6th when all the news of the Eric Garner grand jury decision came out and I was really shocked. When I saw Garner’s family members speaking on TV, it was really emotional for me. I was oscillating between sadness, anger, and bewilderment. I was working with Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor and we were watching all the events unfold and discussing the protests, so I started to write the song. I really wanted to write something that would touch hearts, make people think and be moved to work for change in our country.”
“I didn’t write this song as an indictment against all police officers, or police departments. I have friends, fans and family members who are in law enforcement who are honest, hard working people who go to work everyday doing a job that is far more difficult than mine and have to make decisions that are life or death, or that will put people behind bars for years at a time. But when wrong decisions are made by individuals within those departments and innocent lives are lost, then those officers should be held accountable.”
“We see incidents like killings taking place and it brings everything to the surface, but honestly it’s the way police deal with individuals one-on-one on a daily basis over the years that makes or breaks the trust in the community… So in two words respect and accountability.”
“We all have a stake and a responsibility in bringing about these changes. We might not ever live in a society that is just, unbiased, kind and peaceful all the time, but I know for sure we can all do way better than what we are doing right now. So let’s not give up trying. That is the challenge today and we’ve all been called to play a role in, let’s start today.”
Image courtesy of JP Cutler Media