Poezthepoet

“BE A HUMAN” is a resistance movement in opposition to oppressive forces crushing free speech, human rights, equality, creativity, freedom, hope, and opportunity. In other words, forces that limit or destroy our power to be fully human.

The answer is to speak out, stand up, create, listen, think, march, demonstrate, sing, and support others who do. These are the things humans do.

The phrase comes from This Is Not The Time, originally recorded by spoken-word poet Poez in 2007 on The Monotone album. It is an anthem for artists as well as activists.

It was recorded again, live, in 2016, for obvious reasons, on STAY LOOSE AND FAKE IT! Poez LIVE at the Bitter End. Filmmaker Joeann Calabrese created a short documentary film about the performance and the surrounding events, This Is Not The Time, which has won 6 awards in international film festivals, including Audience Choice, Best Score, and Best Music Video.

Other artists who have joined with Poez in Be A Human-themed events include jazz composer and painter Mark Kostabi, composer Gene Pritsker and Composers Concordance.

Videos: This Is Not The Time (Be A Human) Live Documentary, How Far 2 Zuccotti Park – Poez at MC Gallery NYC, How Far 2 Zuccotti Park – POEZ and Pritsker

Performance poet Paul Mills aka Poez has been a civil rights trial lawyer since 1995, first in Los Angeles, now in New York, focusing on criminal defense of protesters, and civil rights lawsuits against government officials, especially police. Profits from sales of “Be A Human” merchandise will support ongoing litigation in support of human rights.