“America is an incredible place. I mean, I came from absolutely less than nothing. And I watched my parents struggle but build a life for themselves.” That’s how Bruce Springsteen talks about growing up in post-war America.
“I just grew up with a deep love and respect for what the country could be. And I believed it was part of my job to show the distance between American reality and the American dream. And to do my best to narrow that gap. That was my job here on planet Earth, if I had one.”
The rock icon joined the Home of the Brave crew recently to talk about this moment in our country’s history, and what artists, fans, and everyday people can do to stand up against this administration’s cruelty and incompetence.
You can listen to the conversation now, part of our new limited-run series, Home of the Brave Backstage. Bruce sat down with our crew—Dropkick Murphys frontman Ken Casey, former MPD officer and January 6 hero Michael Fanone, and advisory board member Sarah Longwell—for a candid conversation about the threats we’re facing, and what it’s going to take to pull American democracy back from the brink.
People like Bruce aren’t afraid to speak up. And Home of the Brave is here to deliver their message straight to you. In the coming weeks, we’ll bring you conversations with legendary singer-songwriter Joan Baez, Public Enemy’s Chuck D, Foo Fighters guitarist Chris Shiflett, and more.
They’ll sound off about why they’re still using their platform to speak out, what they hear from people as they travel the country, and what gives them hope for breaking out of our current authoritarian moment. Because, as Bruce says: “You can’t succumb to the alternative of hope. You’ve got to have hope. Without that, we’re nothing.”
We’ll be back soon with the next episode of Home of the Brave Backstage. Subscribe now to make sure you don’t miss an episode:
Home of the Brave exists to show Americans the real-world consequences of this administration’s policies, and to highlight what bravery looks like in defense of American democracy.
