Raging Grannies describe their rationale

 

Before singing several songs during their workshop at the Eastern Washington Legislative Conference, three Raging Grannies described what they do with their music, words, humor and garb.

Pat Foster spoke about the effect of music on the brain, saying, "If music is the bread of life, humor is the marmalade on top."

"Music has the power to affect the soul. Music and rhythm come before language," she said, noting that brain scans show the right—nonverbal—side is activated by music. Some of her friends with Parkinson's have had brain surgery while they played music to restore their ability to play.

"There is a relationship between music and emotion. Major chords and fast music are happy. Minor chords and slow music are sad," Pat pointed out, adding that humor and laughter relieve pain and stress.

The grannies, who wear comical, attention-grabbing clothing, then sang to the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad" the words, "Raging grannies are conspiring to make people laugh…It's a terrorist act…They're about a peace and justice conspiracy….singing for justice…for peace forevermore."

Janet Farness explained that lyrics are written by grannies around the world, including here.

"Songs are perpetually in revision as our political scene changes and we need to address local and world events," she said.

"The eye-catching, disruptive clothing draws attention, so we are not invisible older women who are seeking justice," she said, noting, "we make fun of powers and suggest more loving, equitable ways."

Their next song to counter apathy was "Get Off Your Ass, America."

Diane Lloyd said that after raising awareness, they want to move people to act, so they provide information on how people can be involved with groups grannies are in. The grannies converse and listen to people who differ to deepen understanding and build connections.

"We encourage those who are white to recognize Black and Brown people have long been engaged in the struggle and to work with them as partners," she said, reading a letter from a Black woman encouraging white people not to "wallow in a sense of helplessness," but to "do something."

Then they sang "What Shall we Do with the Corporate Fat Cats."

To watch the video of the Music as Advocacy Workshop, EWLC, click here.