The Best People with Nicolle Wallace Joan Baez is Calculating How Much She’s Willing to Risk
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Sep 22, 2025 Joan Baez, legendary folk singer and activist, discusses the complex relationship between protest and risk in today's world. She reflects on how her willingness to take risks has changed over the decades, highlighting the dangers present now compared to the past. Baez finds joy in unexpected places, like dancing in a circus and creating art, emphasizing the power of music and laughter in maintaining hope. She believes that social change requires boldness, reminding listeners of the moral responsibility that comes with influence.
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Drop The Word 'Unprecedented'
- Joan Baez warns that calling outrage 'unprecedented' normalizes escalation and reduces surprise.
- She urges dropping the word because extreme actions aim to become normalized.
Protesting Is Different Now
- Baez says protests are scarier now because cruelty and cage‑building are central policies.
- She contrasts her earlier jail experiences with the current climate of punitive cruelty.
The Missing 'Glue' Of Movements
- Baez reflects that historic movements had a cultural 'glue'—music and shared experience—that united people.
- She doubts how to manufacture that glue and notes it often arises spontaneously.