Robert Miranda’s “Happening Again” Addresses Racism

MODERN-DAY DISSIDENT ROBERT MIRANDA
RELEASES HAPPENING AGAIN MUSIC VIDEO,
A TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL BROWN & OTHER VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE

ACTIVIST ‘SINGS FEARLESSLY’ ABOUT THE WAR ON YOUNG BLACK MEN

Musical activist and singer/songwriter Robert Miranda has released the music video for Happening Again, a musical lament of the current war on young black men. The video was shot on Washington, D.C.’s U Street (an area coined “Black Broadway” by singer Pearly Bailey and the epicenter of the 1968 Washington, D.C. riots).

“When I saw Michael Brown’s body lying on the street and then learned that the Ferguson police left him in full view for four hours I was disgusted and angry,” Miranda says. “The song was intended to be homage to Michael Brown, but it grew in to a musical survey of the abuse against young black men, which runs from coast to coast – NYC to Oakland.”

“The chorus echoes the abuse of Emmett Till,” Miranda continues. Till was a 14-year-old African American teen murdered in 1955 for allegedly flirting with a white woman. “It has been interesting to discover that many young people do not know of Emmet Till and his unfortunate place in Civil Rights history. I am hoping the song will spur folks on read about the subjects, learn of the plight of Emmitt Till, and realize we are still making the same mistakes.”

“As a country, we’ve made a lot of progress on a lot of social issues. But the death of Michael Brown—among many, unnamed others—proves there is still a lot of progress to be made.” Miranda is not releasing a commercial single or video for the track, as his focus is solely on awareness.

Miranda recently released his debut album, Exposed. Co-produced by Miranda, Nate Jolley (of The Jolly Twins Group), and bassist/composer Tyler Sherman, Exposed is a searing statement on the apathy and political issues dividing America. From the opening anti-materialism “Tell Me Now” to the closing petition “Who Will Testify,” Miranda also addresses homelessness (“Logan Park”), gun control (“Circle of Clowns”), and animal abuse (“Addy’s Song”). Already hailed as a voice for change, Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr. of the Hip Hop Caucus said of the singer, “Robert Miranda calls us to action with the power of music in support of the ever-increasing challenges against poverty, social inequality, gun control and climate change….reminding us we should act and sing fearlessly.”

Happening Again lyrics

It’s happening, happening, happening again
Down Ferguson way
It’s happening, happening, all over again
In a Ferguson way

Michael Brown’s body lying there
Four hours he’s trapped in their snare
I hear Emmett Till in the air
Asking, “Oh, oh is anyone there?”

Happening, happening, happening again
Down New York way
It’s happening, happening, all over again
In a New York way

Eric Garner had to be brought down
Now the police “choke-hold” runs the town
I hear Emmett Till in the air
Asking, “Oh, oh is anyone there?”

It’s happening, happening, happening again
Down Sanford way
It’s happening, happening, all over again
In a Sanford way

Trayvon Martin was gunned down
For being black while walking in town
I hear Emmet Till in the air
Asking “Oh, oh is anyone there?”

It’s happening, happening, happening again
Down Oakland way
It’s happening, happening, all over again
In a Oakland way

Oscar Grant was shot lying down
Involuntary manslaughter was found
I heard Emmett Till on that day
Asking, “Oh, oh is this our way?”

It’s happening, happening, happening again
Down New York way
It’s happening, happening all over again
In a New York way

Amadou Diallo shot 19 ways
Guess New York police force had its say
I hear Emmett Till in the air
Asking “Oh, oh is anyone there?”

Emmett Till still in the air
Crying “Oh, oh does anyone care?”

Emmett Till still in the air
Asking “Oh, oh is anyone there?”

Emmett Till still in the air
Asking “Oh, oh are you there?”

Emmett Till still in the air
Crying “Oh, oh is anyone there?”

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