Pump Up the Volume
Because it's that time of year
For the past couple weeks, I’ve been drafting a bunch of stuff to share with y’all. Of course, I’ve also been finishing off a 7 month battle with a government agency that required the help of Disability Rights (again), I found a new TBI support group, possibly found a new therapist, and super-cleaned my house for out-of-state guests.
They’re flying here as I type this. Woot!
I’d really wanted to give y’all something before I disappear to play but I just realized that the post I’ve been editing is out of order. There’s something else I need to tell you about first, so let’s just kick this party off with my mindset in the past couple weeks.
It has everything to do with Voice. Letting my thoughts and feelings and stories be seen and heard. So naturally, it’s time to pull out one of my all time favorite movies EVER.
It is one of the quintessences of my generation. I know a lot of people picture John Hughes movies when they picture kids who came of age as the 80s gave way to the 90s like I did. Me? I picture watching those movies. When I think of films that capture the feel and rhythms and flavors of my experience at that time, it’s this one that comes to my mind.
I was about to enter my senior year of high school when it came out. To this day, it remains as potent as ever in inspiring me whenever I doubt my writing, when I doubt my voice, and when I am nervous about exposing who I truly am.
Migrating my writing and creative worlds to Substack constantly reminds me of this—one of the few online platforms determined to remain free from strangling controls and censorship.
Happy Harry Hard-On:
This is just the beginning… I’m calling for every kid to seize the air. Speak out! Find your voice and use it. Pick a name, go on the air. It’s your life. Take charge of it. Do it. Try it. Try anything! Spill your guts out. Say ‘shit’ and ‘fuck’ a million times if you want to—but you decide. Fill the air. Steal it. Keep the air alive!”
Innnnteresting side note: I have never seen this movie be streamable, and you still can’t even rent or buy it on Amazon Prime. Not surprising to me, especially considering how dark it is, and how relevant it still is today. You can, however, buy it on disk.
You can also watch the whole controversial thing HERE ON YOUTUBE. Enter if ye dare - Here There Be Beasties.
Allrighty, I’m outta here for the nearest duration! Have a great weekend, eat your cereal with a fork, and do your homework in the dark!
Anybody else know these quotes as well as I do? What are your faves?
Bonus Edit: Why Pump Up the Volume Matters Today
We take for granted this ability to open up a mic - whether anonymous and faceless or flashing our names, selfies, locations, and phone numbers - and just spill it. Share it. Talk Hard. But as I was becoming an adult and finding my voice, this type of visibility and amplification was virtually nonexistent. This movie posited “What If?” and a boatload of my generation answered.
Today, we have different types of voicelessness and amplification. Different types of powerlessness and oppression. And yet, it’s all still the same, just through a slightly shifted lens.
Thanks to
for reminding me about this video! Warning - all the spoilers ahoy!© 2023 Hartebeast
Have fun. I will need to watch that movie!