A message from Graie Hagans, Chief Vision Officer at Bend the Arc:
Can I talk about the future with you? Today is the first day of Black Futures Month, a tradition created by the Movement for Black Lives in 2015 that invites us to not just reflect on Black history, but also dream of Black futures.
As a national Jewish organization working to defend democracy against authoritarianism, dismantle white supremacy, and realize Black liberation in the United States, we know that Black futures are Jewish futures are our American futures.
To mark this moment of reflection on our collective past-present-future, I’ve curated a playlist of songs influenced by the Jewish theme of L’dor V’dor, from generation to generation.
Like those who came before us, we must continue to believe in a world beyond oppression, beyond the binaries of us vs. them, beyond subjugation — and then build toward that possibility of a thriving multiracial democracy. We must make a better world together, like every generation before us.
As you listen this year, I invite you to reflect on your relationship to your own ancestors, elders, and descendants (whatever these mean to you): What is the generational work for you to do or undo? What can you do in this generation that those who came before could not? What must be done so that the burden does not fall to those to come?
As you think about these questions, open up our L’dor V’dor playlist on Spotify. May it be a soundtrack to your day, your work, and our movements for justice — not just this month, but into the future we're building together.
Keep an eye on your inbox and our social channels throughout February — we’ll continue to celebrate Black Futures Month with our visions for the future, invitations to joy, and opportunities to expand our wildest imaginations of what the future might hold.
L'shalom,
Graie
Bend the Arc Presents:
L'dor V'dor: Black Futures Month Playlist
Appletree - Live
Erykah Badu
Butterfly
Kimiko Kasai, Herbie Hancock
Safe within Your Hands
SAULT
Harlem Buck Dance Strut
Les McCann
Why Can’t We Live Together
Timmy Thomas
altar
Kehlani
If God Spoke
Chloe x Halle
I am A Part of the Wonder
Lonnie Holley, Moor Mother
The Ones Ahead
Beverly Glenn-Copeland
I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired
Infinity Song, Peter Collins
wondering/wandering (feat. thundercat & ambré)
Kehlani
Redbone
Childish Gambino
Safe
Jerome Thomas
Overcome (feat. Nile Rodgers)
Laura Mvula
Q.U.E.E.N. (feat. Eryka Badu)
Janelle Monae
Ancestors Use Me
Adrienne Maree Brown, The Bengsons
OCTAVIA
Jamila Woods
Living & Giving
Kiah Victoria, Khari Mateen
What You Don’t Do - Tom Misch Remix
Lianne La Havas
Bruised Not broken (feat. MNEK & Kiana Ledé)
Matoma
Stand Tall
Childish Gambino
At Your Best (You Are Love)
Aaliyah
Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
Marvin Gaye
