Petey Pablo - Raise Up (9/11 U.S. Flag Remix)
(📸@JABNMAR)
If this is your first Friday newsletter, a heads up that this isn’t the usual format. On Fridays, we listen to music.
MUSIC THINGS:
(Keith Goldstein/Getty Images)
There are people who are reading these words that weren’t alive when 9/11 happened.
…
Just needed a moment to reflect on that. #Old
Right after 9/11, Clear Channel Communications (now iHeartMedia), the largest owner of radio stations in the United States, circulated an internal memo containing a list of songs that program directors felt were "questionable" to play in the aftermath of the attack. Somehow, that list turned into a narrative that Clear Channel banned these songs outright from the radio. (Fun Fact: Rage Against The Machine’s whole CATALOG was on the list!) If you use Spotify, here’s a playlist of all of the songs.
Also, some reading on the Clear Channel 9/11 memo from a week after 9/11:
After the Horror, Radio Stations Pull Some Songs (NYT)
The “Cool” Series: A collection of Very Specific Vibes.
When’s the last time you used your imagination? Stretch your brain a bit with an audio thought exercise: Soundtracks for places that only exist in your head.
(📸: Matt Hardy)
Cool Men’s Boutique:
Apple Music | Spotify | Tidal
( 📸: Lucian Petronel Potlog)
Cool Dive Bar
Apple Music | Spotify | Tidal
Cool but Overpriced Sushi Fusion Restaurant
(📸: Adrian Olichon)
Cool Hotel Pool
(📸:Leon Martinez)
Cool but Overpriced Workout Studio
HOW TO HELP BLACK LIVES IN 30 MINS OR LESS:
When it comes to taking the steps needed to create a racially equal America, I’ve heard from many well-intentioned non-Black people over the last two months that one of the most daunting things for them is trying to figure out what they can personally do make things better.
Some folks see these massive issues as a significant problem that cannot be defeated, so they struggle to figure out what one person can do, which leads to them not doing much other than posting to IG. Some of that is not wanting to seem like you’re doing too much, some of that is fear your intentions will be misunderstood.
What if I told you that for only 30 minutes a week, you can help black lives no matter where you are or how much money you make? Here’s how:
Carve out 30 minutes in your calendar this week. Call it “Being A Better Person Time” or “Set a Good Example for my Kid” Time, whatever works.
Click a link and make a call or donate or sign a petition. Just do one thing in that 30 min window.
This weekend, share the above link with your three closest friends and say, “Hey, I’m (calling/donating/signing a petition). I’m worried about how things will be for future generations, so I’m doing something about it. If you’re interested, here’s the link!” If you have a group chat, drop it into your group chat!
Repeat the following week for as long as you can. Do it while you online shop, do it while you’re on an annoying call, hell, you can do it while you poop, I genuinely don’t care! Whatever it takes! It is the absolute least that you can do, but you’ll get a sense of accomplishment and the knowledge that you at least did SOMETHING to help. You have a vision of who you want to be, right? That ideal version of yourself that does the right thing when given a chance and leads by example? This is that chance. You can do it!
BONUS: You won’t have to lie to your kids or grandkids about being on the right side of history! You can be all like, “Children/Grandchildren, we don’t tolerate that racist shit in this house. If anyone says otherwise, send them to me.” and you’ll sound all tough and cool, and your kids or grandkids will respect and love you and not want to be racists…guess what? That means less racist people in the future!!!
Look at that. It turns out you had a bigger impact than you thought the whole time!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
New coat of paint for Fall! Thanks to Phero.
Now that you’ve seen that cool new logo, here are two easy ways that you can support this newsletter!!!!!
Become a paid supporter of the newsletter on an ongoing basis. For the price of a shared appetizer and two rounds of drinks, you can support a Black-owned media business.
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Office Hours is written and curated by Ernest Wilkins.
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#139: Raise Up