Earth Month comes to a close but the end of April does not mean the end of the climate crisis. Find out more. Find out what science says about climate change. Consider what you can do, as a citizen of this planet. Earth is the only planet we have. Consider what we, the people of Earth, can do, together, to save our home.
Find out more:
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
United Nations: Climate Action
(US) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
In the world of science fiction, the Hugo and the Nebula are the most prestigious awards that can be won by the author of a Sci-Fi novel. Here are those titles that achieved both distinctions and rank among the very best Sci-Fi works of all time.
All of these novels can be found in your School Library. Come down to check them out.
Rage Against the Machine have many titles that could be picked for lists of the greatest protest songs. One of the most overtly antiwar tracks is “Bulls on Parade.” (1996).
Weapons not food, not homes, not shoes
Not need, just feed the war cannibal animal
I walk the corner to the rubble that used to be a library
Line up to the mind cemetery now
What we don’t know keeps the contracts alive and movin’
They don’t gotta burn the books they just remove ’em
While arms warehouses fill as quick as the cells
Rally ’round the family, pockets full of shells
Other “Songs of Peace” in this series:
November is Peace Month at your School Library
“Hero of War” is a 2009 song by the American band, Rise Against. Many of the most well known peace and antiwar songs that are most prominent in popular culture come from the 1960s and 1970s, particularly protest songs against the American war in Vietnam. However, there are also many other more recent songs that look critically at more contemporary wars, including the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Have a listen, and spend some time thinking about your response. What do antiwar songs, and songs of peace and alternatives to violence, have to say to us in 2023?
Other “Songs of Peace” in this series:
One of the most famous and influential songs of the antiwar movement of the 1960s and early 1970s is “Ohio”, written by Neil Young and performed by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. So many aspects of youth counter-culture, protests against the Vietnam War, and deep divisions within American society came together tragically as four university students were shot dead, and nine more wounded, at Kent State University in Ohio when the National Guard opened fire against student protestors. Neil Young wrote “Ohio” in reaction to the tragedy at Kent State, and the song was released in June of 1970. It has grown to become known as one the anthems of protest and antiwar activism.
November is Peace Month at your School Library.
Other “Songs of Peace” in this series:
“Zombie” by The Cranberries was released in 1994. Led by the late Dolores O’Riordan (1971-2018), The Cranberries were one of Ireland’s greatest alternative rock bands, especially during the 90’s.
Zombie is an anti-war song written to protest the ongoing violence of “The Troubles,” sectarian conflict in Ireland with its roots going back deep into Irish history and continuing to rear its ugly head even into the 1990’s.
Other “Songs of Peace” in this series:
Imagine all the people
John Lennon
Living life in peace
We previously featured “Give Peace a Chance” by John Lennon on a Songs of Peace post. “Imagine” is arguably his greatest song with or without the Beatles, and certainly one of the most loved and most played songs of the 20th Century.
Other “Songs of Peace” in this series:
“Let’s get together and feel all right”
–Bob Marley, “One Love”
There are many songs by Bob Marley that are considered “Songs of Peace.” Today we take a moment to consider “One Love.”
Other “Songs of Peace” in this series:
“All we are saying is give peace a chance.”
–John Lennon
The antiwar movement of the 1960s and early 1970’s focused on the American war in Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia. Many songs became forever associated with this era, perhaps none more so than “Give Peace a Chance.”
Although he was still a member of the Beatles, this was John Lennon’s first single released without the “Fab Four.” Originally the writing credits went to both Lennon and Paul McCartney, however later Lennon claimed that Yoko Ono deserved a credit, not Paul. The song was the musical highlight of the “Bed-In” of Lennon and Ono in Montreal in 1969. “Give Peace a Chance” would become what many consider to be the ultimate antiwar anthem.
Of course, many others will argue the ultimate antiwar anthem is John Lennon’s masterpiece, “Imagine.” Look for that in a future “Songs of Peace” post.
Find out more:
Give Peace a Chance (Wikipedia)
Other “Songs of Peace” in this series:
“This song is not a rebel song. This song is Sunday Bloody Sunday.” (U2)
Sunday Bloody Sunday, by U2, is one of the Irish band’s signature tunes, one of the greatest rock songs of all time, and amongst the greatest calls for an end to violence and war that can be found in popular music.
The title refers specifically to the events of Bloody Sunday during the height of “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland. More generally the song is a denunciantion of the sectarian violence in Northern Ireland and a profoundly anti-war anthem.
Find out more about “Sunday Bloody Sunday”:
Other “Songs of Peace” in this series:
Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School Library 