The president of the United States decides a lot of things. He decides legislature. He decides our relationships with foreign countries. He decides who’s on his cabinet. He sets a precedent for what’s acceptable. Most importantly, he sets the tone for the attitude of our nation.
What he doesn’t decide is our worth.
With Donald Trump bearing the title of president-elect in the wake of the 2016 election, most everyone is shaking with fear, a reasonable reaction to a man riddled with contempt. People of color, women, immigrants, the LGBT community, and the disabled are being faced with increased discrimination. Intolerance has been normalized and hate crimes are on the rise. If you want to even try to deny this, flip open a newspaper. Reports and video footage have captured America gone rogue. But we don’t have to let Trump and his wave of hate control the future. People are fighting back with the only force that can win in the end—love—and Boston’s music world is following suit.
The following bands and record labels are shifting their income toward charities to help those in need. Whether it’s downloading a compilation where all proceeds to go to Planned Parenthood, attending a benefit show for American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), downloading an album whose proceeds go to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), or buying records to support Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, there are steps you can take to expand your love for music to a love for human rights.
As of right now, the political future looks bleak, but our social future is one we, the people, can change. Let’s start acting on that.
WHO: Run For Cover Records
HOW TO HELP: Download albums by Modern Baseball, Pinegrove, Pity Sex, etc. on Bandcamp
PROCEEDS: 100% to Planned Parenthood, plus matching the total donation up to $5,000
WHO: Deep Thoughts JP
HOW TO HELP: Buy any album at the record store Nov 18–19
PROCEEDS: 5% to Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition
WHO: The Hotelier
HOW TO HELP: Buy its music on Bandcamp
PROCEEDS: 100% split between Planned Parenthood and Southern Poverty Law Center
WHO: Disposable America
HOW TO HELP: Download albums by Horse Jumper Of Love, Soft Fangs, Halfsour, etc. on Bandcamp
PROCEEDS: 100% to ACLU
WHO: GoldFlakePaint
HOW TO HELP: Download compilation albums featuring Boston artists on Bandcamp
PROCEEDS: 100% to the Trevor Project
WHO: Black Beach
HOW TO HELP: Buy Live on WMBR on Bandcamp
PROCEEDS: 100% split between RAINN and the Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP)
WHO: Foam Castles
HOW TO HELP: Buy its music on Bandcamp
PROCEEDS: 100% to Planned Parenthood
WHO: Deep Shred
HOW TO HELP: Buy the SMOOCHES compilation LP featuring Downtown Boys, Puppy Problems, the Barbazons, etc. in January
PROCEEDS: 100% split between ACLU, Planned Parenthood, the Human Rights Campaign, and the National Immigration Law Center
