Every Saturday, we’ll be posting a new illustration by David Lester. The Mecca Normal guitarist is visually documenting people, places and events from his band’s 29-year run, with text by vocalist Jean Smith.
Malachi Ritscher (1954-2006) was an anti-war activist who made high-quality recordings of musicians—often free jazz and experimental—performing live in Chicago. After the U.S. invaded Iraq, he became a vocal opponent of the war. Like monks opposing the Vietnam war, his final act of protest was self-immolation.
“If I am required to pay for your barbaric war, I choose not to live in your world. I refuse to finance the mass murder of innocent civilians, who did nothing to threaten our country. I will not participate in your charade—my conscience will not allow me to be a part of your crusade.” —Malachi Ritscher
Mecca Normal, “Malachi,” lyrics by Jean Smith
And the camera goes click as you press record
and you hand the document to the jazz musician
after they perform
And you talk and you listen
and you protest this war
And there is pain and it instigates change
And there is frustration that your voice is not heard
when you protest the war—
with a sign above your head—in words
And your camera goes click as you press record
and the can of gasoline is there on the ground
for this final document—your protest against the war
and some of us understood
you know the history well
And your camera goes click as you press record
and you pour the gasoline
and Malachi you light the match
that ends your life
in this final statement
and some of us heard your final words
and Malachi you light the match
that ends your life
in this final document—your protest against this war
and some of us understood
and some of us heard
your final word
“The Dark Side Of Maria,” from The Observer (Kill Rock Stars, 2006) (download):
