Tired of the Daily Upset? Try Singing

There’s something missing from the growing protests against ICE and the increasingly violent gangsterism of the Trump presidency — Music

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Black & white photo of Joan Baez (left) and Bob Dylan (right) playing a guitar and singing during the 1963 March of Washington. — Joan Baez sang “We Shall Overcome” at the 1963 March on Washington. Bob Dylan sang with her at the same event. Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain

If Walt Whitman were alive today, witnessing the unprecedented gangsterism of masked ICE and Border Patrol agents on American streets, he wouldn’t have the heart to write “I Hear America Singing,” his iconic poem of an idealized America.

He’d probably notice that on the day American citizen Renee Good was shot dead by ICE Agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis, most Americans (52%) disapproved of ICE while only 39% approved. The poet would also notice that ICE recently lowered its requirements for new agents and shortened the training time by half — while providing a $50,000 signing bonus on top of entry level (GS-7) base pay of $34–$44,000.

And although Walt Whitman would see thousands protesting the invasion of American cities by these federal police agents traveling in unmarked cars, he wouldn’t hear many of them singing. Chanting, sure. Shouting at the intruders to Get Out — yes, there’s that too.

But where’s the music? Where’s the singing? With the exception of a few small groups here and there, like the 100 singers outside an ICE facility in Portland, Oregon, on January 5th…