Victoria Parks Sings "Bye Bye Blackwell"
Every social justice movement needs its balladeers. The African American-led social justice movements of the 1950s and 60s would not have been as successful without "We Shall Overcome."
In 2006, the movement to save democracy in Ohio has found its balladeer: folk guitarist, songwriter and singer Victoria Parks, whose "My Vote Don't Don't Matter Anymore" and "Bye Bye Blackwell" have become instant classics. |
In 2006, the movement to save democracy in Ohio has found its balladeer: folk guitarist, songwriter and singer Victoria Parks, whose "My Vote Don't Don't Matter Anymore" and "Bye Bye Blackwell" have become instant classics.
In "My Vote Don't Don't Matter Anymore," Victoria tells us the story of Amos Connelly, an older voter who has been voting in the same precinct since World War II. Sending goosebumps down our spines, she brings back images of that cold and rainy Election Day on November 2, 2004. As documented in
"What Happened in Ohio," tens of thousands were forced to stand outside to exercise their right to vote that day, some losing their jobs because the wait was so unconscionably long.
While clearly gifted as a songwriter, Victoria also has a silky, emotion-laden voice that evokes the great folk balladeers of the 1960s, such as Joan Baez in "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down."
Responding to requests to continue her musical support for the Election Protection movement, Victoria has done it again with a brilliant satire, "Bye Bye, Blackwell." Lyrics such as "Elections without oversight, make miracles happen overnight" are hilariously funny but also offer us a cautionary reminder that J. Kenneth Blackwell's no-accountability approach to voter "protection" is bad for democracy.
It is a pleasure to support an artist whose vocal quality and songwriting skill are matched by keen political instincts and a strong sense of justice. Be sure to bring her to your campus and support her career by checking out her albums at her website.
