lowercase people is an organization that is divided into three major divisions: The lp Online Magazine, lp apparel, and the lowercase people Justice Fund.[1] The organization was founded by the alternative rock band Switchfoot. In late October 2007, the band announced on their YouTube account page that they had created "lp records" to help further the vision of lowercase people.
The lp Online Magazine was started in 2005.[2] It serves to bring attention to notable works created by artists, writers, and musicians, and to introduce social issues worldwide.[3] The magazine is released quarterly. Lowercase people apparel gathers the works of artists. They are sold as shirts, prints, stickers, and buttons. All profits go towards the Lowercase people Justice Fund. In partnership with Geneva Global, the Lowercase people Justice Fund, a non-profit organization, uses the money gained from the shirts and prints sold to aid Third World communities.
An example is their involvement with the Kuyasa Kids, which is a choir in Africa that is made up of kids who were orphaned by HIV/AIDS. Switchfoot has helped them to create a CD which is also sold through Lowercase people.[4] The proceeds will go towards the children's education. Jon Foreman also wrote "The Shadow Proves the Sunshine" in reaction to their work with the Kuyasa Kids. Lowercase people have also collected donations with The Salvation Army for Hurricane Katrina victims.[5]Tim Foreman explains:
"As a rock band, we're not overly idealistic about single-handedly changing the world, but we do know that people are listening to what we have to say ... so we want to use what platform we have been given to make a difference."[4]
"We are humanity: beautiful and broken. We want to collide. We're curious. We're thinking out loud. We are the lowercase people. Join us as we dream."[6]
-Chad Butler
The name of the organization is taken from Switchfoot's song, Company Car, in the lines "Now I'm down, under the pavement/ Of Capital Hills and Lowercase people".
