February 2017 Challenge: Revolution!

[dawn_felagund]

On Modern-earth, in many parts of the world, February is Black History Month, a reminder of how justice is often wrested and seized from the powerful through the courage and sacrifices of the oppressed.

The early ages of Arda are likewise defined by revolution. Ossë's rebellion against Ulmo. The return of the Noldor to Middle-earth. Barahir's outlaws. The Kings' Men and the Elf-friends of Númenor. Into the Third Age, the Gondorians rebelled against the cruel usurpation of Castamir. Then of course there are the individual revolutionaries of Arda: Fëanor, Andreth, Aredhel, Isildur, Ar-Pharazon. (And who could forget the ur-revolutionary Melkor?) Between the lines, many fans read resistance against dominating--even colonialist--cultures by the unsung peoples and heroes of Middle-earth.

For this month's challenge, participants will receive a quotation, artwork, speech, or song concerned with protest and revolution. Your final piece does not have to include a revolution or concern revolution in any way, but you should use some aspect of your prompt in the final story. While not required, participants are encouraged to include characters of color or from underrepresented cultural groups.

Writers, comment here or email us to receive your prompt. Please specify if you have a preference for the format of your prompt (song, speech, art, or quotation).

If you want to create a fanwork other than fiction, your challenge is to create a piece of protest art in any format that you choose.

Participation stamps are available for both creators and reviewers. To be eligible for this month's stamp as a creator, you must post your response to the SWG archive no later than March 10, 2017. Review challenges never expire; however, we ask that you email us if you need a reviewer stamp for a challenge that is more than two months old.

Comments

[kayleelupin.livejournal.com]

I'd like to have a prompt, please!

Kaylee Arafinwiel

[dawn_felagund]

Let's try Les Miserables, “Do You Hear The People Sing” video | lyrics

Happy writing! :)

[ladybrooke]

I'll take a prompt, please.

(Do the Avari who stayed by the lake count as an underrepresented cultural group?)

[heartofoshun.livejournal.com]

I hope so.

[dawn_felagund]

Let's go with The Battle of Adwa (Tapestry)

Yes, I'd definitely consider them an underrepresented cultural group! Tolkien tells us almost nothing about them (and pretty much everything his narrator says about the Avari is bad).

[heartofoshun.livejournal.com]

Please send me one.

[dawn_felagund]

Let's try Bon Jovi, “We Weren’t Born To Follow”? video | lyrics

[silver-trails.livejournal.com]

Me! Me!

I am loving these challenges!

[dawn_felagund]

Thanks! They have been fun to plan too. :)

Let's try a quote:

"The likelihood that your acts of resistance cannot stop the injustice does not exempt you from acting in what you sincerely and reflectively hold to be the best interests of your community."
– Susan Sontag, At the Same Time: Essays and Speeches

[zdenka]

One for me, please! I'd prefer a song or artwork.

[dawn_felagund]

For you, it must be a song! ;) Let's go with Emeli Sandé, “Read All About It Pt. III” video | lyrics

[hrymfaxe.livejournal.com]

I'd like a prompt too. :D Preferably a speech or quotation.

[dawn_felagund]

Here you go!

"I have accepted fear as part of life – specifically the fear of change…I have gone ahead despite the pounding in the heart that says: turn back…."
– Erica Jong

[binkaslibrary.livejournal.com]

Punk's not dead, so I'd like a prompt!

Rock and roll, hell, yeah!!! ;)

[dawn_felagund]

I have to admit that when Lyra posted this one to our master list, I thought, "If Binka asks for a prompt, I'm giving her this one," because I can imagine it as subtitle to one of your character bios. :D

Bif Naked, “We’re Not Gonna Take It” video | lyrics

[fernstrike]

I'd like a prompt please!! :-) Would prefer a song or quote.

[dawn_felagund]

Here's a song for you. Happy writing! :D

K’naan, “Wavin’ Flag”? video | lyrics

[independence1776]

Prompt, please! I'd prefer a song.

[dawn_felagund]

Song it is! :D

The Beatles, "Revolution" video | lyrics

[just-jenni.livejournal.com]

Another great challenge! Maybe I can make this one in time. :)

[just-jenni.livejournal.com]

Oh crap. I'd also like a prompt. Thank you. :P

[just-jenni.livejournal.com]

Damn it! A quotation, please. :/

[dawn_felagund]

Laughing at your string of comments! You got there eventually! :D

Let's go with

"There is nothing more difficult to take in hand or more perilous to conduct…than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things."
– Niccolo Machiavelli

[silverstarspray.livejournal.com]

I'd like a prompt, please! Preferably a quote or a song.

[dawn_felagund]

Here's a song for you! Happy writing! :)

Marvin Gaye, "What's Going On?" video | lyrics

[engarian.livejournal.com]

I want another stamp - LOL. Please avoid a song since it probably wouldn't be my genre, but I'm open to art, a quotation or a speech and hopefully I can make it work. Vive le Revolution!

- Erulisse (one L)

[dawn_felagund]

Here's a speech! Happy writing! :)

Martin Luther King, Jr., Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech (transcript and video)

[mangacrack.livejournal.com]

I'd like a prompt.Song or Quote is preferred

[dawn_felagund]

Here's a song--happy writing! :)

Bob Dylan, “The Times They Are A-Changing” video | lyrics

[samtyr.livejournal.com]

Sure, why not?

Quote preferred but they're all good.

[dawn_felagund]

Let's go with a quote from one of my absolute favorite revolutionaries! :D

"Knowledge makes a man unfit to be a slave."
-Frederick Douglass

[hhimring]

Could I have a prompt, please?
I would prefer an artwork.

[dawn_felagund]

Here you go! :)

“The Revolutionary Women’s Army Attacks Nanjing”