This is one of my favourite songs of Phil’s. He was never shy about speaking out against injustice. He thought he could change the world. His anti-war songs, civil rights songs and songs about freedom of thought are timeless. The same issues still resonate. He was not courting popularity but speaking to the vision of equality and compassion that he held in his head. He stood up for his ideals.
How we need a Phil Ochs now! I think he would have been at the forefront standing up against Trump and the rise of fascism.
Here he is, speaking out from beyond the grave, telling us that he refuses to be shut up, that he will speak his mind. His example is a lesson for us all! Injustice has to be opposed! We should all speak up! The world is in a perilous predicament. We need all that love and compassion. We need to counter the constant stream of lies and deliberate misinformation.
Skepticism is healthy; conspiracy is stupid.
The book is out on October 18th!!