An Ani Difranco-Inspired Index to this Site....
Because I know there is strength in the differences between us, and I know there is comfort where we overlap.
-from "Overlap"
Note: I created this page last year and never put it online at that time. It still needs some work, but any Ani fans visiting this site might find it interesting (or, at least, that seemed likely when I created it).
To explain this page:
This site needs, I think, a better and easier to follow site index (which may mean another one, not this one, but that can come later).
While trying to make a page on feminist music, or independent women in music I found myself, every time, stuck because I really do not have all that much admiration for many musicians other than Ani, truth be told. And, more importantly, I found myself writing some rather insulting criticisms of fan-based websites created by Ani devotees who seem more focused on her image, posting her pictures, and dishing supposed dirt about her personal life, than in her music and in what her music says.
More importantly, above and beyond any other individual, musician or otherwise, Ani has been a big influence on this site in the years (yes, it's been years and as I'm disabled by a chronic illness that might not be evident in the size of the site since I haven't always been able to work on it), but in the years of working on this site, feminism in general and many writers, activists, friends, mentors such as former professors, and other people who have influenced my life as a woman and as a person concerned about social justice issues, and as a feminist, as an activist, as a survivor/person who lived through abuse, sexual abuse, and rape, and as a woman speaking the truth - have been influences on me, and, by nature, on this website.
But Ani's lyrics, and work, and the music I listen to just about every day have been the most present and obvious influence much of the time, because, being homebound most of the past few years, it has helped greatly to have the voice of someone speaking the truths that matter so much to me, in my bedroom singing them, since, much of the time I have had very little contact with other people and been really isolated. And she's inspiring. Her talent and work and her unabashed dedication to telling her truth despite whatever the hell anybody thinks, are truly an inspiration that I don't really think I can overestimate. It's not about being an obsessive "fan". The notion of being a "fan" of another human being is inherently bizarre and unnatural to me. But it's about what one of her songs, "I'm No Heroine", says. That some woman, somewhere will hear her music and it will help her get through her day.
Ani has helped many women get through many days, as anybody who knows much about her, probably realizes. But for me she has helped me get through days when I could not read a feminist book, or a magazine like Ms. or a poem, could not keep up with emails or email lists to talk to people, and could not get out of my bedroom, and often could not write either, or work on this site, or do much of anything, but lie in a bed, too sick to get up. She helped me get through days like that, and days too, when I was able to be active, when I was going to protests and feeling utterly confounded by the insanity and massive corruption of my country's government, and sitting on a subway getting dirty looks from people for my anti-war signs and the anti-war bumper stickers on my rented wheelchair I used to be able to go to peace vigils and protests that required standing. I'd bring Ani's music with me.
I've brought her with me there, with me to doctor's offices visits when I did not think I could stand another minute of dealing with the medical establishment or the inherent sense of powerlessness that comes when your body refuses to cooperate with your desires to lead a regularly active life and not have to spend most of your time dealing with ignorance and medical professionals and pharmacies and worrying about passing out every time you leave the apartment you live in. She helped me get through days of flashbacks to rape and child molestation. She helped me get through days dealing with things I have done that I don't feel exactly proud about. She helped me get through a life of a person who is a feminist freak in a family full of conservative, sexist people with whom I have no contact anymore. She helped me get through days living with misogynistic, homophobic, racist, pro-war roommates with whom I was stuck living for lack of an affordable place to move to. She helped me get through days at the welfare office, waiting around to be condescended to because the system doesn't like people who use the system and speak up for themselves. She helped me get through many days. She helped me get through days when I did not want to live anymore.
And for all the admirable, and useful Tori-Amos-inspired websites for survivors of rape and abuse, on the internet, I have yet to see a single Ani-Difranco inspired site about any specific issue like that, and I know, so well, that Ani's music has helped a great many women deal with lots of issues, and the results of living in a patriarchy, including its violence against women, is one of those issues. Since this site addressses that issue, and also poverty and economic rights, anit-militarism and anti-war issues, the Bush administration's corporate war, alternative media, women's literature and voices, women's history that's not in textbooks, women's stories of survival and women's feminist activism around the world working to create a place where equality is more than elusive dream - I think it's safe to call much of this site relevant to many topics covered in some of Ani's songs.
So for people who like her music, and for people who don't know who she is (it's pronounced like Connie or Johnny, not like Annie the little orphan), here is a little idea, that may make sense to some people and not to others, but it's here to explain this site in connection to some of the songs and lyrics of Ms. Difranco (or Mr. Difranco, as it were). I do apologize this website has never grown enough to have a whole page on issues related to heterosexism, as that is, in the long run, one of my goals here, it's just not one that has been accomplished.
Feminism and Women's Rights, Including Lesbian Rights
I say if you're born a lion, don't bother trying to act tame
-from "Born a LIon"
For every lie I unlearned, I learned something new, and I sing sometimes for the war that I fight, beause every tool is a weapon, if you hold it right
-from "My IQ"
Some Related Songs by Ani D.:
Born a Lion
Adam and Eve
The Story
Fuel
Two Little Girls
In or Out
My IQ
Talk to Me Now
The Slant
Out of Range
Out of Habit
32 Flavors
Shameless
Swandive
Face Up and Sing
Gravel
Untouchable Face
Work Your Way Out
Dilate
Not a Pretty Girl
Every State Line
If He Tries Anything
Everest
Blood In the Boardroom
I'm No Heroine
Little Plastic Castle
She Said
Site Pages:
Violence Against Women
And every state line, there's a new set of laws, and every policeman comes equipped with extended laws. There's a thousand shades of white, and a thousand shades of black, but the same rule always applies: Smile pretty and watch your back.
-from "Every State Line"
I'll be watching, from the window - come to your rescue, if he tries anything. It's a long long road, it's a big big world. We are wise, wise women. We are giggling girls. We both carry a smile, to show when we're pleased. We both carry a switchblade, in our sleeves.
-from "If He Tries Anything"
I was eleven years old. He was old as my dad. And he took something from me I didn't even know that I had. So don't tell me about decency. Don't tell me about pride. Just give me something for my trouble, cuz this time it's not a free ride. I'm just gonna take the money I make. I'm gonna take the money I make. I'm gonna take the money I make. And I'm gonna go away. Don't ask me why I'm crying. I'm not gonna tell you what's wrong. I'm just gonna sit on your lap, for five dollars a song. I want you to pay me for my beauty. I think it's only right, because I have been paying for it all of my life.
-from "Letter to a John"
You know my thighs have been through many accidents, and now I can't get insured, so no I don't need to be lured by you. My cunt is built like a would that won't heal, and now you don't have to ask, because you know how I feel.
-from "Out of Habit
Related Songs
Gratitude
If He Tries Anything
Letter to a John
Out of Habit
The Story
Every State Line
Old, Old Song
To the Teeth
Welcome To
Related Site Pages
Pro-Choice Resources
A bullet came to visit a doctor, in his one safe place. A bullet insuring the right to life wizzed past his kid and his wife, and knocked his glasses right off of his face. And the blood poured off the pulpit. And the blood poured down the picket lines. And the hatred was immediate. And the vengeance was divine. So they went and stuffed God down the barrel of a gun, and after him, they stuffed his only Son.
-from "Hello Birmingham"
Related Songs
Hello, Birmingham
The Lost Woman Song
Tiptoe
Related Pages
Anti-War, Economic Rights, and Social Justice Issues
Related Songs and Poems
Selfevident
'Tis of Thee
To the Teeth
Napolean
Your Next Bold Move
Serpentine
Subdivision
Names and Dates and Times
Fuel
Little Plastic Castle
God's Country
Crime for Crime
Swan Dive
The Million You Never Made
Puddle Dive
Not So Soft
Everest
Evolve
Swan Dive
Born a Lion
Talk to Me Now
Rush Hour
Related Pages
Positive Body Image and Eating Disorders
I am not a pretty girl. That's not what I do. I ain't no damsel in distress, and I don't need to be rescued. So put me down, punk. Wouldn't you prefer a maiden fair? Isn't there a kitten stuck up a tree somewhere?
-from "Not a Pretty Girl"
Related Songs
Not a Pretty Girl
Pick Yer Nose
32 Flavors
Pixie
Blood in the Boardroom
My IQ
The Slant
Fuel
I'm No Heroine
Related Pages
