Ani DiFranco’s “Revolutionary Love” invites us to confront our opponents. DiFranco’s latest album is inspired by activist Valerie Kaur’s book calling for understanding and compassion for “our” opponents. Ani DiFranco’s latest album, Revolutionary Love, explores the idea of compassion for opponents. Ani DiFranco spoke with NPR’s Sarah McCammon about how to bring these ideas to life in her songs on Revolutionary Love, and how events like the attack on the U.S. Capitol can test the limits of the “turn the other cheek” philosophy. It takes aggressive love, and that’s the idea that inspired Ani DiFranco’s latest album title track, Revolutionary Love. “Put three sides: love for yourself, love for others and love foryour’ enemies,” DiFranco says. The phrase is also the title of a book by DiFranco’s close friend, activist Valerie Kaur, which encourages an understanding of enemies. At a time when the country seems increasingly divided, it can be very difficult for someone to “love their neighbor,” even if their neighbor doesn’t necessarily reciprocate. Do you know what I mean? It means looking someone in the face, even when he or she is against it, and saying, “You’re part of me, that’s w I want to start.” Valerie talks about finding trauma on her opponent. “I think, first of all, it means not seeing another stranger. Listen to the conversation by clicking on the audio link. You’re a part of me that I don’t know enough about.
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