FEMINIST FRIDAY: Pussy Riot ‘Makes America Great Again’ & Lila Downs Disses A ‘Demagogue’

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Welcome to another edition of our weekly Feminist Friday series, where we wrap up the werk-week by sharing the videos we have been enjoying at the moment. Since America is about to elect a new President on November 8, we figured it only makes sense to make this edition a little political!

We’ve made it pretty clear that we are a progressive, feminist website that supports Hillary Clinton for president. We have avoided delving too much into the specifics of the campaign, but the videos we’re sharing not only touches on the dangerous rhetoric and ugly behavior coming from Donald Trump and many of his surrogates and supporters, we get to do this in a way that is fun and entertaining.

First on our agenda is Latin Grammy-award winning Mexican artist, who has released a new track appropriately titled ‘The Demagogue’. No guesses who this song is about, especially with lyrics like: “He’s a bully, a salesman/Selling fear and hate/Who do you think you are? /He plays us with his hate.”

Lila has spoken about her disdain for Donald Trump and is now putting her artistry where her heart is, by contributing this song to 30 days, 40 songs, a playlist featuring a variety of artists singing anti-Trump anthems. The playlist can also be streamed on Spotify. Lila says she has no problem calling out the demagoguery of someone like Donald Trump, and told Remezcla.com it is her duty as an artist to raise her voice for her culture.

“We do make a difference in the U.S., and we shouldn’t be afraid to speak our truth. It’s the only way to demand our dignity as human beings,” she said. below is the bi-lingual version of the track:

When you think of Pussy Riot you think “in-your-face” messaging and visuals. The Russian artists and political provocateurs are known for defying cultural norms and the status quo in order to raise awareness about injustice. It’s about so much more than the music, but their artistry has become a powerful platform to share their passion.

Whether it is making a guest appearance on ‘House Of Cards’ or disturbing the peace in a Russian Orthodox church in balaclavas, these women aren’t easily intimidated by the threat of jail OR a demagogue like Donald Trump, especially since they have been on the receiving end of what Russian President Vladimir Putin does to those who choose to rebel.

Pussy Riot have released 2 new music videos which embody the feminist rebel spirit of female voters who are going to hit Trump where it is going to hurt him the most – at the voting booth. It’s fitting for Pussy Riot to release these two dis tracks, especially in light of the leaked Access Hollywood audio tapes where Donald Trump told Billy Bush he likes to “grab ’em by the pussy”, talking about women he forcibly sexually assaults.

This spawned many feminist memes, most notably “Pussy Fights Back” which has become a rallying cry for women against Trump’s brand of misogyny and admitted assault to make sure he doesn’t have a chance in hell to run this country. The first track they shared was an N.W.A-inspired ‘Straight Outta Vagina’, which is a reminder to Donald Trump where he came from.

The final video this week, and second from Pussy Riot, unashamedly co-opts Donald Trump’s popular phrase “Make America Great Again” as the title. Interspersed with real footage of the Republican nominee making some of his most outrageous and shameful statements on television are the Pussy Riot girls who act out what a Donald Trump leadership would potentially look liked (artistic license taken, obviously).

It’s a message to all the people who would be considered “outsiders” under a Trump regime (we choose not to call it a presidency because judging by what he says and what he has stirred up, it is not going to reflect democracy or freedom for a vast majority of people) and is a creative way to give the middle finger to a man who wants to be the leader of the free world.

You know, with all the talk of alleged Russian intervention in the US presidency, we have no problem with Pussy Riot being part of the conversation and giving voice to what so many people are already feeling. Behold, “Make America Great Again”:

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