* Back in January of 1985, as part of a university class project, my best friend Brian Monahan and I started an anti-apartheid organization that attempted to educate people about South Africa and push for divestment.

Shortly after, the South African issue exploded across the country. We found ourselves right in the middle of one of the most important issues of our time, and the first real “cause” taken up by our own generation. Freeing Nelson Mandela looked impossible back then, but putting pressure on that disgusting government consumed many of us.

So you can imagine the delight of everyone who worked for a free South Africa when Steven Van Zandt and his friends released this song later that year…

It’s time for some justice it’s time for the truth

* And this one is in Brian’s memory. His favorite song about South Africa…

Well I hate it when the blood starts flowin’
but I’m glad to see resistance growin’