I wrote this excerpt for a friends blog during the elections in 2008, just about two months before election day, when things had become so heated and I was so turned off that I came up with this. I just recently rediscovered it and my love of writing so I felt this was an appropriate way to get things geared up here:
In response to all of the obvious political convo's we all, or aren't, or should be having; I felt inclined to follow in my Dad's suit and play some meaningful music as of late.
Every year when I was living with my parents, and before the invention of the ipod, you could always find a handful of KT's cd's in my car. (For those that don't know, KT's my one and only incredible, amazing dad!). He'd approach me each February, specifically looking for his Marvin Gaye ("What's Goin' On"), album. Of course I had it and wanted to listen to it for the same reasons he did; but I always gave it to him without a peep.
So...I just put it on as well as other music that gets me in that politically empowered mood. I'm listening to "Living for the City" on repeat right now and it inspired me to write this. You don't have to read all of this, that's fine. It's Friday and I'm sure you're all ready to go enjoy your weekend without any heavy undertones but; I had to finally say something.
I've been trying to keep my mouth shut when a lot of people around me want to discuss politics. As passionate as I am about how I feel, I find it exhausting and pointless to argue with someone; especially during this heated time in our country's election season. I can't change your mind and you definitely will not change mine. But, I do find it oh-so very heartbreaking to hear and see how people, some of whom are my friends or friends of friends, defend one side and shoot down the other.
I'm not going to make this too long because I could honestly go on forever and I'm not going to pound you with facts or he said/she saids either. I just think, with the state that our country is in, what with a recession; a health care system in shambles; an education system that's failing our children, and lack of concern for our environment, it's incredibly heart breaking and disappointing that anyone would even consider one person over the other. Forget track records...Forget years served in the Military, (though it's very very honorable, respected, and appreciated)...Forget everything other than what's going on in our country right now.
Listening to "Living for the City" always gets me this way and I do apologize if you're not in the "mood" to hear this today, but I'm not standing on a soapbox shouting or bashing anyone or their opinion. Yes, our history sucks and the way we formed and built this country was rotten, but being an American allows me to say just that. I can say, "The way my country was stolen and purged from its indigenous people and built for free on the backs of a stolen population of people sucks"! And it does. But, I can say it none-the-less and I don't take that freedom for granted. That's why we are blessed to live in this country and one of the things I find humanly beautiful about it...(off on a tangent; sorry).
So anyway, back to Stevie and Marvin, (and all of the other extremely important artists like Johnny Cash, Donny Hathaway, Curtis Mayfield, Bob Marley, Nina Simone, Dylan, Lennon, etc., that spoke from their hearts and minds about freedom and life and love). If you haven't had the opportunity to listen, and really listen to this song, please do so. If you don't own a copy of "What's Goin' On" (shame on you...lol), I'll make you a copy.
The saddest thing to me is that its 2008...2008! And the lyrics to this song are still oh-so very true and just because you can't relate or want to say "It's their fault"...doesn't make it any less important of an issue.
*And on one final note: The most unselfish thing I've heard this week was today when I spoke to a good friend of mine. He makes six figures at his job and when I asked him about who he was leaning towards he told me he wasn't leaning at all and then said, "I'm gonna get screwed with Barack's tax break...but it's for the better good and I wouldn't think of voting for anyone else".
"Living for the City"
A boy is born in hard time Mississippi
Surrounded by four walls that ain't so pretty
His parents give him love and affection
To keep him strong moving in the right direction
Living just enough, just enough for the city...
His father works some days for fourteen hours
And you can bet he barely makes a dollar
His mother goes to scrub the floors for many
And you'd best believe she hardly gets a penny
Living just enough, just enough for the city...
His sisters black but she is shonuff pretty
Her skirt is short but lord her legs are sturdy
To walk to school she's got to get up early
Her clothes are old but never are they dirty
Living just enough, just enough for the city...
Her brother's smart he's got more sense than many
His patience's long but soon he won't have any
To find a job is like a haystack needle
Cause where he lives they don't use colored people
Living just enough, just enough for the city...
His hair is long, his feet are hard and gritty
He spends his life walking the streets of new york city
He's almost dead from breathing in air pollution
He tried to vote but to him there's no solution
Living just enough, just enough for the city...
I hope you hear inside my voice of sorrow
And that it motivates you to make a better tomorrow
This place is cruel no where could be much colder
If we don't change the world will soon be over
Living just enough, stop giving just enough for the city!!!!
~Peace, Love and Infinite Possibilities....now go hug a tree and enjoy your weekend!
