Persuasive talk is more than words, but is the very passion, rhythm, and music with which those words are presented. One of my favorite passionate vocal messengers is Gil Scott-Heron, who proclaimed that the revolution will not be televised:
"The revolution will not be televised.
The revolution will not be brought to you by Xerox
In 4 parts without commercial interruptions.
The revolution will not show you pictures of Nixon
blowing a bugle and leading a charge by John
Mitchell, General Abrams and Spiro Agnew to eat
hog maws confiscated from a Harlem sanctuary.
The revolution will not be televised."
Recently, I checked out what Gil Scott-Heron has been up to. I learned that he was jailed for two to four years this year in New York, having been sentenced for a probation violation finding.
I have insufficient information to give much of an opinion about this probation violation situation. Perhaps this unfortunate experience will lead Gil to spread all the more of a persuasive message about the dysfunctions of the prison and criminal justice system.
Letters of support can be sent to Gil at this address:
Collins Correctional Facility
Gil Scott-Heron, #06R3165
P. O. Box
340 Middle Road
Collins, NY 14034
Jon Katz
