‘My spirit’s meant to be free and soon now everyone’s will be.’

 

Recently the legendary black American artist Gil Scott-Heron passed away. He was most famous for his above song The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, but in reality he was so much more. Read an excellent obituary for him here. Influenced by the likes of Malcolm X and the Black Panther party, he captured the feel of an era and inspired a whole generation of revolutionised youths, not just in the US but around the world. While we see revolutions today televised within seconds, we must remember what Gil’s lyrics really mean – revolutions will not make themselves, they are not passive, they require activism, of getting up off that couch and doing something. Something people all over the world are beginning to realise. Gil’s legacy lives on!