Here is Gil Scott-Heron performing "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" along with footage put together from Youtube to illustrate some of the ideas in the poem. What idea of 'revolution' does this poem point us towards? Thinking about our discussion of LeRoi Jone's poetic language of the concrete and the vernacular, what types of language does Scott-Heron use?
Gil Scott-Heron's "The Revolution Will Not Be Telelivised" is calling for a revolution within the black community. Between the war in vietnam and the civil rights movement, Scott-Heron feels that this is no time for the black community to be at home. He calls for a change in this poem; for black people to get out into the streets and revolt until their rights are given to them.
Scott-Heron uses common vernacular in this poem to he can better reach the audience he is targeting. He speaks in what may be considered slang, referring to his audience as "brother" taking on a personal role with his audience. Scott-Heron uses somewhat of a vulgar vernacular referring to the cops as "pigs". He maintains a humorous tone throughtout this poem; usings sarcasm as his main tool.
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