Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 2/6/25 – When I was a little girl, I found myself in the most unexpected places. One of them was the Black Panther Party meetings, thanks to my amazing cousin. She was in a wheelchair, and I was her trusty chauffeur, wheeling her into a world that buzzed with political fervor. But let’s be honest—this firebrand life just didn’t jive with my personality. So, as soon as I turned 13, I made the leap into the Yippie movement!
Living in the Philippines, I didn’t have the luxury of attending Yippie gatherings in person, but I devoured everything I could about them. I mean, who wouldn’t fall head over heels for the audacious antics of Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, and their pack of merry misfits? They were the cool kids on the block—way cooler than those buttoned-up yuppies. Their flamboyance appealed to my teenage heart, especially after being glued to the television when my inspirational hero, President John F. Kennedy, was tragically shot live before my eyes. Talk about a political awakening!
I was horrified by the state of American politics—still am, in fact! The Jamaicans have a delightful term for it: “polytrix.” Honestly, it couldn’t be more fitting!
The Youth International Party (YIP), the brainchild of the Yippies, burst onto the scene in late 1967, a radical offshoot of the free speech and anti-war movements. With theatrical flair, they mocked the status quo, going so far as to run a pig named “Pigasus the Immortal” for President in 1968. Imagine that! A contender with a snout instead of a suit. These rebellious spirits painted the world with their wild antics, celebrating symbolic politics and shaking things up like there was no tomorrow.
Fast forward to today, and it feels like not much has changed in the political landscape. There’s always a new Pigasus trotting along, trying to sway the masses instead of a noble Pegasus soaring through the skies of change. But one thing remains crystal clear: the only rebellion we have left may very well be found in art and music.
Much like in the 1960s, the revolution is still being televised in our everyday acts of defiance. Embracing our creative birthright as artists, we’re here to rebel against the mundane. So, grab your paintbrush, your guitar, or even just your voice—because the world is our canvas, and every little act of rebellion is a stroke of genius in the grand masterpiece of life!
