Art & Music Archives

Video Poems by Kathy Jetn̄il-Kijiner

Film clip. Kathy Jetn̄il-Kijiner. Various years.
Video poems by a Marshallese artist show the injustices and harm of environmental racism, nuclear weapons, and climate change around the world.

Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A Hip-Hop History

Book — Non-fiction. By Jeff Chang and Davey D Cook. 2021. 352 pages.
An essential guide for understanding hip-hop music and culture.

Americans Who Tell the Truth

Website. Portraits by Robert Shetterly and biographies of individuals who have taken a stand for justice.

Film Tackles the U.S. Occupation of Japan: ‘ANPO: Art X War’

Teaching Activity. By Moé Yonamine. Rethinking Schools. 11 pages.
Lesson based on ANPO: Art X War, a documentary about visual resistance to U.S. military bases in Japan by Japan’s foremost contemporary artists.

Teaching Activity by Moé Yonamine

Ad Astra Comix: Politically Charged Graphic Words

Website. A resource that features and promotes social justice comic arts on a variety of topics.

Ballads of Sacco and Vanzetti

Songs by Woody Guthrie, produced by Moses Asch. 1996.
Songs about the murder trial of Sacco and Vanzetti.

Battle of Blair Mountain

Song. By David Rovics. 2003.
Ballad about the West Virginia Coal Mine War of 1920-1921.

ABC’s of Organizing Poster

Poster. By Ricardo Levins-Morales.
Tips and tactics of organizing.

Artists in Times of War

Book — Non-fiction. By Howard Zinn. 2004. 112 pages.
In this collection of four essays, Zinn writes about the unique role of artists, activists, and publishers in working toward change.

Teaching Activity by Howard Zinn

Fasanella - The Great Strike | Zinn Education Project

Bread and Roses

Song. Reprinted from Labor Notes 2007.
Links issues of economic security and quality of life, also addresses the role of women in the struggle for justice.

Celebrate People’s History: The Poster Book of Resistance and Revolution

Book — Non-fiction. Edited by Josh MacPhee. 2020. 264 pages.
A visual representation of people's history through political posters.

Chávez Ravine: A Record by Ry Cooder

Songs. By Ry Cooder. 2005. 70 minutes.
The story of the Chicano community bulldozed to pave the way for the Dodger Stadium in Santa Monica, told through bilingual songs.

Caribbean Connections: The Dominican Republic

Book — Non-fiction and Fiction. Edited by Gallin, Glasser, Santana. 2005. 250 pages.
Reader-friendly overview of the history, politics, and culture of the fourth largest Latino community in the United States.

The Dreamer

Book — Fiction. By Pam Muñoz Ryan. 2010. 384 pages.
An introduction to the life of Pablo Neruda as a child in historical fiction for young adults.

E.Y. “Yip” Harburg: “Brother Can You Spare a Dime”

Film clip. Voices of a People's History.
E.Y. "Yip" Harburg's "Brother Can You Spare a Dime" (1932) is performed by Allison Moorer.

Ella Jenkins and a Union of Friends Pulling Together

Audio CD. By Ella Jenkins and friends. 1999. 47 minutes and 18-page booklet.
Labor songs for children ages 4–12.

Robeson in Spain

Book — Non-fiction. By The Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives. 2009. 25 pages.
Booklet in graphic novel format on Paul Robeson's involvement in the Spanish Civil War.

Firebrands: Portraits from the Americas

Book — Non-fiction. By Shaun Slifer and Bec Young. 2010. 192 pages.
Images and short bios of 78 activists from throughout U.S. history and the Americas. For middle school to adult.

After the Levees Broke: Bearing Witness Through Poetry

Teaching Activity. By Renée Watson. Rethinking Schools. 7 pages.
A teacher's reflection on the power of poetry to spark critical discussion and reflection on current issues of inequality surrounding disaster response in the United States.