DESCRIPTION:
I met Jim Page in Seattle many years ago - way back when A Shot Of The Usual was the only LP of his I could find - and have paid attention to his work ever since. His dedication to humanity and issues of social justice has never wavered, and his collection of recordings provide ample evidence of his artistry and conscience. Last April I toured Ireland and was pleased to learn of the deep respect he's earned there. Christy Moore has recorded a few of Jim's songs. The song in this video is called "I'd Rather Be Dancing," and is inspired by the life and courage of Rachel Corrie of Olympia, Washington, a young American woman who went to occupied Palestine to put her convictions on the line in an attempt to stop the injustices there. Rachel was killed by an Israeli-driven caterpillar while she was standing - in highly visible clothing, with a bullhorn - between the machine and a Palestinian home she was defending against demolition. Rachel's diary and communiques to her family inform the lyrics of Jim Page's song. To learn more about Rachel Corrie and Jim Page, visit www.rachelcorrie.org and www.jimpage.net. To learn more about Palestine, you could begin by visiting www.ifamericansknew.org

Note: This video is for educational purposes. The song is uploaded with Jim Page's permission. I have used photos from many sources (some graphic), and will gladly credit photographers if notified of their names. If Rachel's parents or any of the photographers whose work I have included object to this video for any reason, please make contact, and it will be removed. "The struggle of people against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting." Remember Rachel Corrie. Remember the people of Palestine.