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Americana stars remind us whats so folky about peace, love

Shovels & RopePhoto: Leslie Ryan McKellarThere is a song on Shovels & Ropes fifth album, Little Seeds, that theyve rarely performed live. BWYR, the track in question, is a solemn, half-spoken chant: Black lives, white lives, yellow lives, red / Lets all come together and share the bread. Its one of Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearsts most overt moments of social commentary, written in response to the horrifying racially motivated shooting at a church in their current hometown of Charleston, S.C. For a duo that titled its first record O Be Joyful, this moment is just too tender, too tough.

But on Jan. 21, the day after Donald J. Trump was sworn in as president of the United States, Trent and Hearst found themselves not only ready to march, but ready to sing.

When you look at the set list, we have an hour and 45 minutes to get work done, Hearst tells the Scene, calling from a hotel in London. And weve chosen not to include BWYR because of an overall vibe were trying to create. But the day after the election, we did play it, because we were feeling it. And the audience was with us in agreement. They wanted to hear that song.

Folk music has historically engaged in activism, but for bands like Shovels & Rope and St. Paul and the Broken Bones, who are both headlining two-night runs at the Ryman this week, its a difficult balance. Its a balance between the joyous nature of their sounds the ramshackle roots-rock of Shovels and the big-band gospel-soul of St. Paul and the underlying sociopolitical tones of their music, which are blaring ever more loudly in a world where racial inequality doesnt just exist, its part of the White House agenda. Trent, Hearst and St. Paul lead singer Paul Janeway found that staying quiet isnt an option but they also didnt want to turn their live shows into exclusive rallies, either.

I was raised to look at all sides of an issue, says Hearst. I understand where coal miners are coming from my dads a pipe fitter, and we understand some of their anxiety. When we perform, our responsibility is to entertain, and use our art to give you a little relief from the day-to-day bullshit. Thats why you buy a ticket. Were not using our big platform to preach. But were wearing holes in our marching shoes and running up phone bills calling congress people. Its our civic duty to participate. Just like everybody else, we have a right to participate in the system.

The duo exercised that right by participating in the Womens March, and theyve sparingly addressed some issues on their social media accounts including one post on Instagram of Trent and their dog, captioned FEMINISTS. As for how we go about our daily lives, says Trent, were just trying to do positive things within our own community, figuring out how we can help in a physical way.

St. Paul and the Broken BonesPhoto: David McClisterThe topic of racial injustice and police brutality also weighed heavily on the mind of Janeway as he prepared to write material for his eight-piece Alabama blue-eyed soul ensembles second album, Sea of Noise. He found himself turning to Bryan Stevensons Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption in the wake of the shooting of Trayvon Martin (and the acquittal of George Zimmerman). The book explores rampant bias in the American judicial system, and it crept into the music in unexpected ways a left turn from the bands less-topical 2014 debut, Half the City.

That definitely wasnt how I approached the first record, Janeway tells the Scene. For me, its finding whatever touches your creative impulse. At that time in my life, I didnt have much money, and now Ive started making some, and it became this self-conflicting thing. You start being more socially conscious. Where am I going to put this energy? Its what scratches this creative impulse.

Like Hearst and Trent, Janeway remains very connected to his Southern roots, and still lives in deeply conservative Alabama, as does much of his fan base. As a liberal in a red state, hes had to find a comfortable equilibrium when it comes to speaking out, reconciling that conflict by not pushing a political platform in his bands live show without stifling his personal opinions.

Personally, Im in a band, Janeway explains. We all vary what we think about [politics], so Ive always approached it from a very personal level. I had to read a lot of Dr. Martin Luther King lately, and civil rights issues need to be protested. But at the same time, this is the country we live in. We have to have conversations. But I dont ever say, This is the bands stance.

Like BWYR, St. Paul tracks such as Ill Be Your Woman (which flips the strongly gender-normative nature of Americana on its head) and All I Ever Wonder (which features lines like, Rent, it will rise / But our doctors keep us high) resonate with greater urgency in the changing climate. It is interesting that there is some kind of shape-shifting that goes on with the songs, due to the nature of them, Janeway says.

Both bands have also found themselves in the unique position of touring abroad while President Trump ominously declared America First back at home something thats particularly relevant when youre part of a genre with America in its title. Everyone is saying, Can you please explain whats going on? says Hearst. Im a product of the Nashville public school system. I worked at a produce place, and all my co-workers were Kurdish survivors of war, and are some of the finest Americans Ive ever met in my life.

In every interview, I got asked about it, echoes Janeway of his role as an inadvertent ambassador. Still, neither band went for an explosive Dixie Chicks-style takeaway, not because they fear commercial repercussions, but because they wanted to maintain the inclusive nature of the collective live experience.

Music has always been about coming from a place of love and acceptance, says Janeway. If you want to talk about more or less government, thats fine, but as long as you are coming from a place of love and acceptance, youre always welcome to our show. I dont thump my Bible. If I protest, I protest on my own. Though Janeway hasnt noticed much backlash from discussing politics in interviews, Hearst and Trent received a slew of shut up and sing comments on their social media channels. It all speaks to Americanas peculiar position of progressivity amid Southern roots, when you can both sing lyrics like, The poor go hungry and the fat get fed from BWYR, and create music that resonates with someone who spends as much time at church as a rock club.

It hurts our feelings when someone says, Shut up, youre just a singer, Hearst says. The, What do you know about that? Its a hurtful thing. Were Americans, were citizens, were business owners. Im not particularly well versed in the Bible, but Im pretty sure we are supposed to look after our brothers.

Its a good time for us to just be good, kind, compassionate people, adds Trent. Within and around our job.

Email music@nashvillescene.com

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Americana First: Shovels & Rope and St. Paul and the Broken Bones Bring Joy to the Resistance - Nashville Scene

By Rubin E. Grant

Special to The Times

Ben Sciacca never imagined he would write a book about racial relations in America. At least thats what he thought a decade ago.

When he finally took on the challenge seven years ago, he wrote about four chapters and abruptly stopped. I sat it down for a long time, Sciacca said.

The 2012 shooting death of African-American teenager Trayvon Martin in Florida and the subsequent not guilty verdict given to George Zimmerman in his trial for the shooting spurred Sciacca to resume writing his novel.

I saw the outrage and how fragmented a society we are when it comes to race, Sciacca said.

Now, five years since the Martin shooting, Sciaccas novel is complete. Meals from Mars: A Parable of Prejudice and Providence, was released Feb. 1 by NavPress, a division of Tyndale House Publishers. Its available in paperback on Amazon.com and at Barnes & Noble.

The story centers on a fateful late night encounter at a gas station in an urban neighborhood that brings together a white man from the suburbs and a young black man from the hood. Stuck with each other for the night, they deal with their core prejudices, the walls that keep them from each other, and the discovery of their God-given humanity in one another.

The unusual title comes from the delivery of groceries from the church, Mars Chapel, the white man named Jim attends. Jim is a fictional character, who is similar to some men Sciacca knows from the suburbs in Birmingham.

Sciacca discussed the novel last week before an event about its release at Mountain Brook Community Churchs UCF House on Highway 280.

I was trying to create a medium essentially to give people an opportunity to speak about a lot of the racial issues facing our nation, Sciacca said. A lot of people are taking to social media and tweeting about these issues, but no one is really listening to whats being said.

I hope this book stresses the need to listen instead of just emoting and being quick to respond to whats happening in our nation.

Sciacca is the executive director of Restoration Academy, a private urban Christian school in Fairfield with mostly African-American students. Although Malik, the young black man in the book, is a fictional character, Sciacca said he could easily be one of the students from Restoration.

Maliks anger and frustration concerning the climate he finds himself in is representative of some our students, Sciacca said. I think Malik is my favorite character in the book. I dont agree with everything Malik says, but I think its time for whites to listen more. The primary motivation of his heart is do you want a relationship with me?

I couldnt have written this 10 years ago, so in some ways its cathartic for me in a creative way.

Sciacca doesnt try to resolve the issues associated with racial tensions in the book, but wanted to start an honest conversation about racial relationships.

Its not overtly Christian, he said during a question and answer session from an audience of about 25 at the launch party. Its not a scripture-filled book or a story of two people who become friends in the end. I didnt want a panacea. I want people to wrestle with the issues the book raises.

The overall response Ive gotten from people who have read it has been productive. Some have said it was hard to put it down and others said it made them feel uncomfortable, so mission accomplished.

This is Sciaccas second book. His first book, KaiRo: The Journey of An Urban Pilgrim, was released in 2013 under the pseudonym Judah Ben. It chronicles the epic spiritual journey of a young man named KaiRo.

Sciacca said there is a distinct difference in the two books in scope and audience.

KaiRo was more didactic, a teaching book, he said. Meals From Mars is a critical look at racial tensions. KaiRos target audience was primarily high school and junior high students while Meals from Mars is more of an adult book.

Even so, at the end of the Meals From Mars are 20 questions that Sciacca hopes will fuel the discussion about racial tensions in America.

Sciacca also will be present on Feb. 18 at Barnes & Noble at The Summit in Birmingham when Restoration Academy students participate in a Black History Month event from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sciacca will discuss Meals From Mars at 6 p.m., read excerpts from the book and sign copies of it.

Sciacca also will take part in a panel discussion on March 12 at Mountain Brook Community Churchs Faith Culture Forum: The Gospel and Racial Reconciliation.

For more information about the book, visit http://www.mealsfrommars.com

For more information about the Tampa forum visit http://www.underourskinforum.com

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Racial tensions at the forefront of Ben Sciacca's new novel Meals From Mars - Birmingham Times

ELKINS, W.Va. (AP) _ A prosecutor is reviewing a former West Virginia police chiefs instruction for officers to harass and put fear into any suspected cockroach in the community.

The Inter-Mountain (http://bit.ly/2lDuAyA ) reports that in a memorandum, Elkins Police Chief Craig Cross said he wanted officers to harass people carrying knives or backpacks or wearing hoodies and make such people respect the law.

PUT THE FEAR BACK INTO THESE COCKROACHES! reads part of the memo, which also singled out two residences and their inhabitants.

It wasnt clear when the memo was issued and it did not mention specific suspected crimes. Cross stepped down as police chief last month and resigned from the department last week.

After confirming the memo was written by Cross, Elkins officials turned the memo over to Randolph County Prosecutor Michael Parker. In a statement, the city said the memo also has been distributed to attorneys representing defendants charged with crimes being investigated by Elkins police.

American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia executive director Joseph Cohen called the memo absolutely shocking. He said it was a clear violation of the U.S. Constitutions Fourth Amendment, which guards against unreasonable search and seizure, and the Fifth Amendments guarantee of due process rights for citizens.

Why would anyone in Elkins have faith in the criminal justice system? Cohen said.

Cross told WDTV-TV (http://bit.ly/2lF05sR ) last week that he was frustrated when he wrote the memo and his officers knew he wanted them to do their jobs, not violate anyones rights.

According to the Charleston Gazette-Mail (http://bit.ly/2lEOhqC ), Parker said in a statement that perhaps the sentiments contained in the memorandum are borne out of frustration in attempting to deal with an overwhelming substance abuse epidemic that has resulted in increased crime and has taxed our law enforcement community to its limits. Regardless, we cannot allow frustration to result in ignoring the requirements of the constitution.

West Virginia University sociology professor Jim Nolan compared Cross instructions to the case of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed black teenager who was wearing a hoodie when he was fatally shot by Florida neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman while walking back from a convenience store in 2012. Zimmerman was acquitted of second-degree murder.

Nolan said the sentiment in Cross letter is an element of dehumanizing people. Once dehumanized, it is easy to commit atrocities, Nolan said.

Law enforcement veteran J.C. Raffety has been named Elkins interim police chief. Raffety said the memo does not represent the views of his officers.

The officers here, from my short perspective, are professional, want to re-establish trust with the Elkins community, and to some degree are embarrassed by the notoriety of the contents of the memorandum, Raffety said.

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Memo: Chief told officers to harass 'cockroaches' - New Pittsburgh Courier

Its been five years since Trayvon Martin was shot and killed, but his parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, who have both displayed unwavering strength since the tragedy, say his legacy lives on through them.

Hes not here, his voice isnt here, hes not physically here but hes here through us, Sybrina Fulton told The Huffington Post this month. Were gonna speak for him; hes the voiceless.

Fulton has done just that over the years. Fulton and Trayvons father, Tracy, have relentlessly worked to keep their sons spirit alive while speaking out about the circumstances that led to his death. Now Fulton and Martin have written a book on the enduring life of Trayvon, titledRest in Power: A Parents Story of Love, Injustice and the Birth of a Movement.

HuffPost

Martin was fatally shot on February 26, 2012 by then-neighborhood watch guard George Zimmerman, who claimed he fired his weapon at Martin because he said he believed him to be a suspicious person who posed a threat. Martin, who was walking home from a nearby store, was wearing a hoodie and holding a bag of Skittles in the moments before he died.His killing ignited a wave of intense protests that denounced police brutality and ultimately birthed the Black Lives Matter movement.

Fulton and Martin mourn the loss of their son every day, and some days are more difficult to endure than others which is why they admit it took them five years to put their feelings into words in the form of their latest book. And while there are several books that focus on Trayvon and his death, his parents say they dont adequately capture the details of Trayvons life because, simply, no one ever knew him like they did.

We didnt really want to write the book because its just reliving the story of how our son was taken away from us, Martin said. This was our opportunity to let the world know who Trayvon Martin really was.

Still, through this book and other methods of outreach, they continue raise awareness around issues of policing in America and share messages of empowerment and healing.

We just want people to take something away from the book, take healing away, take awareness away, Fulton said. Take something away that they can hold on to from the book.

But Fulton and Martin say their work certainly doesnt stop there. The two plan to continue to fight for equality, uplift communities of color, identify ways to police the police and help others heal through times of devastation.

You dont want it to be a moment you want it to be a movement, Martin said. You want it to go from a movement to making progress. You want it to go from making progress to making change and thats what were all about, making change.

The Huffington Post is a proud media partner of Chicago Humanities Festivals two nights of conversation withSybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, in collaboration with theDuSable Museum of African American Historyand theChicago Urban League.For more information about how to attend, clickherefor the February 16th event andherefor the February 17th event.

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How Trayvon Martin's Parents Keep His Spirit Alive 5 Years After His ... - Huffington Post

The indignities of house arrest were small but persistent.

If Marissa Alexander ran out of milk, she couldnt dash to the grocery store to get more. She went without. If one of her kids needed a ride to a sleepover, she couldnt take them.

The ankle bracelet clamped to her left leg was a constant reminder of the ordeal that began over six years ago, when she says she picked up a gun to ward off a terrifying attack by her abusive husband.

At first, she was embarrassed by the GPS monitor, and hid it under long pants even during the sweltering summer days in Jacksonville, Florida. Later, she grew used to it.

On Jan. 27, when the bracelet was cut off, a physical and mental weight was lifted, she said. She was finally free.

Its fully liberating, Alexander said in a phone interview with The Huffington Post last week, exhaling slowly. I feel like I can live.

Alexander was thrust into the national spotlight in 2012 after she was sentenced to 20 years in prison for firing a single warning shot in the vicinity of her estranged husband, Rico Gray, during an altercation.

The incident occurred in 2010. According to Alexanders telling of the story, she was visiting with Gray nine days after giving birth to their daughter, when he saw texts on her phone that made him jealous. She said he flew into a rage, and attacked and threatened to kill her. She retrieved her gun and fired one shot to protect herself, she said.

No one was injured in the shooting, but Alexander was arrested and charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, as two of Grays children were also in the home.

She was 31, a mom of three, and had no criminal history. Gray had been arrested twice before for domestic violence, and was subject to a restraining order barring him from seeing Alexander at the time of the shooting.In a sworn deposition, he admitted that he abused Alexander, and said she never pointed the gun at him.

I got five baby mamas and I put my hands on every last one of them except for one, he told investigators. The way I was with women, they was like they had to walk on eggshells around me.He later recanted that deposition, claiming he said those things to keep Alexander out of prison.

But despite Alexanders insistence that she was in fear for her life, a judge rejected her effort to invoke Floridas stand your ground law, which allows people to use deadly force if they are in danger. A jury convicted her after deliberating for 12 minutes. Under Floridas strict laws involving gun violence, she was sentenced to a mandatory minimum prison term of 20 years.

Her case stood in stark contrast to another Florida case involving self-defense. George Zimmerman, who fatally shot unarmed black teen Trayvon Martin, was acquitted after a jury concluded he was afraid for his life.

Critics of stand your ground laws said the divergent outcomes were proof of racial bias, and Alexander emerged as a symbol ofmiscarriage of justice for black women who act in self-defense.

Her conviction was eventually overturned because of an error in jury instructions. In 2014, she reached a plea deal. She ultimately served three years in prison and two years on home detention, which ended last month.

Alexanders first few days of freedom were spent with her family, she said. She took her daughter out to breakfast at Cracker Barrel before school. She visited her sisters new house and celebrated her pregnancy. A party was held in Alexanders honor, where she was surrounded by friends, family and supporters.

Marissa Alexander

I wanted to be with the people I loved the most, immediately, she said.

She is surprisingly upbeat about all she has endured.

I am obsessed with transformation, she said. I wanted to take this situation that was meant to stifle me, stagnate me, and separate me, and use it to benefit me the best way it can.

While on house arrest, she wrote a book detailing her experiences, and exercised in a home gym she had installed. She also established a nonprofit, called the Marissa Alexander Justice Project, which will provide support to domestic violence survivors who are involved in the criminal justice system.

My life was literally devastated and turned upside down by one shot, a 12-minute verdict, and a 20-year sentence, she said. It was important to me that this was not in vain, that I came out of this experience stronger.

She wants to help other women who are in the same position that she was. While she was in prison, she learned about many women who were being punished for acts taken to protect themselves, she said.

I am a servant at heart, she said. There is joy for me to be able to give back in this way.

She also wants to help change attitudes on domestic violence. Theres still a lot of judgment of women who dont leave abusers, she said.

People ask, why did you stay? she said. Nobody ever said, you were the victim and one of the choices you had was to preserve your life, and thats OK. I did the best that I could do that day. I preserved my life. I made a situation that could have been fatal not fatal, and I still was penalized.

For women who relate to her story, her message is to persevere.

My whole thing is to not be bitter, but to be better, she said. Your past does not determine the entire course of your life unless you allow it to.

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Melissa Jeltsen covers domestic violence and other issues related to womens health, safety and security. Tips? Feedback? Send an email or follow her on Twitter.

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Marissa Alexander Won't Let Her Long National Nightmare Define Her - Huffington Post