As the World RISES, New Hip Hop Single Calls on Men to "DISMANTLE" Patriarchy
2/14/2019
NEW HIP HOP SINGLE CALLS ON MEN
TO "DISMANTLE" PATRIARCHY
AS THE WORLD RISES, "DISMANTLE"
BY DUO CHARITY CROFF AND JACOB DENZEL OF ARCHDUKE
(FEATURING TAYLOR IMAN AND JENEE JONES)
LAUNCHES TODAY IN CONJUNCTION WITH
ONE BILLION RISING GLOBAL MASS ACTIONS,
AND THE CELEBRATION OF THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES AND V-DAY.
"I broke free thanks to Queens I know / They taught me not to fill no role… I ain't gotta act hard now / I'm real big, real big like my heart now." These are some of the provocative lyrics from hip hop duo Charity Croff and Jacob Denzel of ArchDuke's new song "Dismantle," premiering today in celebration of The Vagina Monologues' and V-Day's 20th Anniversary and as part of One Billion Rising, the biggest mass action to end violence against all women and girls.
1 in 3 women across the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. That's ONE BILLION WOMEN AND GIRLS. Every February, we rise – in countries across the world –to show our local communities and the world what one billion looks like and shine a light on the rampant impunity and injustice that survivors most often face. We rise through dance to express joy and community and celebrate the fact that we have not been defeated by this violence. We rise to show we are determined to create a new kind of consciousness – one where violence will be resisted until it is unthinkable. One Billion Rising is envisioned collectively by global coordinators around the world. Activists in over 200 countries are RISING to put the issue of ending violence against all women and girls front and center, to amplify the voices the most marginalized, and to call men to RISE.
"Honestly, patriarchy is a man's issue," said Charity Croff. "Generally, society tends to view feminism as this avenue through which women can liberate themselves. However, any liberation must involve the direct accountability and action from the oppressive group. In this case...men. 'Dismantle' is a song about men ripping that hypermasculine mask off and thereby exposing the loving, joyous, empathetic human being that lies beneath. It is my deepest hope that the liberation of women will be a natural byproduct of that process."
"Dismantle" features a fusion of soulful afrobeats and classic New Orleans bounce, with lyrics that exemplify and raise awareness of the work needed to end sexism. In the video, ArchDuke performs in a mirrored room, brimming with movement and reflecting the energy of these men as they answer and issue a call to action. The song ends with a dance break, featuring a diverse group of women, coming together to rejoice in the music and the message.
The song will be featured in international artistic uprisings, challenging the systems that cause violence, including imperialism, fascism, racism, capitalism, and neo-liberalism.
ArchDuke and One Billion Rising invite everyone committed to ending gender-based violence to take part in the "Dismantle" Dance Challenge by moving in whatever way makes them feel alive, ecstatic, and powerful in their bodies. Activists and allies worldwide will video themselves dancing to the song in solidarity with the one in three women on the planet who will be raped or beaten in her lifetime. Share your video using the hashtags #DismantlePatriarchy and #1BillionRising.
"Art has the power to reach, transform and inspire people to act. That fact is at the heart of V-Day and One Billion Rising and has been since our founding. During our V20 year, we issued a call for new art, particularly art that engages men in ending violence against women," said Susan Celia Swan, Executive Director of V-Day/OBR. "Charity and Jacob are passionate about doing the work of calling in men as men. Abuse doesn't just happen, someone perpetrates it and the majority of the time, that someone is a man. 'Dismantle' is a powerful artistic tool for our community of activists, and it calls men into the work of ending violence against all women."
RISE2019
The world is RISING, follow us at:
Facebook.com/vday
Twitter: @vday
Instagram: @one_billion_rising, @vdayorg
V-Day: Say It, Stage It – Produce a V-Day Benefit as an Artistic Uprising at your college/university, in your community
One Billion RISING: Rise In Solidarity – RISE in your community, for your community
City of Joy: Turn Pain to Power – Screen the Documentary, Support the Women in DR Congo