There are all types of music out there for people to listen to, obviously, and I listen to all types of music. The song I'm reviewing though is very relevant to me and should be relevant to all Chicago teens.
"Candles in the Sun" by Miguel is a song that calls attention to the very fact that we as humans are all the same and going through hardships- but we treat each other horribly. We all just need to stop and look around and realize that we don't have to fight each other. In contrast to the rest of the songs on the album 'Kaleidoscope Dream', Miguel brings a serious issue to the forefront with a constant back beat that really makes you think about the lyrics?
Look at all these people, searching for a reason. Searching for a piece of mind.
They say we're all created equal... That's what they teach us.
But that ain't how we treat each other.
No that aint how we treat each other.
See, the truth is that we need each other.
It'll be too late when we find out (yeah) all that we've got.
Chicago has become notorious for it's high murder rate. Last week, a high school student lost his life at a basketball game and hours earlier today a student from King HS was shot and killed for no reason. She was only 15 years old. It is sickening to hear about my friends and people I love having to deal with loss after loss. I hate that I have to live in fear of my own life and the life of my younger sister. My anger and frustration is what fueled me to create my piece "Look Around" which will be performed in the Guys N Dolls show. (Check that out)
I think everyone needs to take a step back and realize the consequences of these senseless acts of violence or it will really be too late when we find out we're all that we've got. We are the future, but our future literally is struggling to survive.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
Is King still king?
Every time that Dr. King's birthday and Black History Month rolls around, I think about a question that was brought to my attention a few years ago- "is it bad that we focus on the same African American's every year?"
We're always talking about Dr. King, Rosa Parks, Malcom X, others from the civil rights movement, Mary Bethune, Oprah Winfrey, etc. That's great! It's important that we learn about our history, but what about the people who are making history today? Unfortunately, I can't even name any besides our President... but that is exactly my point. The people that are trying to make a difference today are just as important as those that came before them.
As far as Dr. King is concerned, when I was in 4th grade we had to color in a picture of him and on the side, I wrote that he would proud that his dream came true. I was too young to really look past the fact that now blacks and whites could be friends. My mother had to explain to me that while things are better, they are far from perfect. As I continued to grow and entered Whitney Young, I began to see what she was talking about. I am fortunate enough to attend a school that accounts for all types of people in harmony, but the world isn't as warm and welcoming as these halls. When President Obama was first elected, the backlash I saw from people ranting about his skin color astonished me. One time, during my sophmore year, I was taking the bus home and and old man got on the bus and starting ranting at me for my seat. The thing is (a) I was listening to music and looking down so I didn't know he was talking to me (b) there were TONS of open seats all around me. It ended with him getting off the bus 10 minutes laters screaming about how he fought for black, white, purple, and orange. Yeah.
So is King still king? He needs to be. Maybe his relevance will knock some sense into everyone. Racists who continue to spit fire and those within our race who are now fighting against ourselves. Our struggle needs to not be forgotten.
We're always talking about Dr. King, Rosa Parks, Malcom X, others from the civil rights movement, Mary Bethune, Oprah Winfrey, etc. That's great! It's important that we learn about our history, but what about the people who are making history today? Unfortunately, I can't even name any besides our President... but that is exactly my point. The people that are trying to make a difference today are just as important as those that came before them.
As far as Dr. King is concerned, when I was in 4th grade we had to color in a picture of him and on the side, I wrote that he would proud that his dream came true. I was too young to really look past the fact that now blacks and whites could be friends. My mother had to explain to me that while things are better, they are far from perfect. As I continued to grow and entered Whitney Young, I began to see what she was talking about. I am fortunate enough to attend a school that accounts for all types of people in harmony, but the world isn't as warm and welcoming as these halls. When President Obama was first elected, the backlash I saw from people ranting about his skin color astonished me. One time, during my sophmore year, I was taking the bus home and and old man got on the bus and starting ranting at me for my seat. The thing is (a) I was listening to music and looking down so I didn't know he was talking to me (b) there were TONS of open seats all around me. It ended with him getting off the bus 10 minutes laters screaming about how he fought for black, white, purple, and orange. Yeah.
So is King still king? He needs to be. Maybe his relevance will knock some sense into everyone. Racists who continue to spit fire and those within our race who are now fighting against ourselves. Our struggle needs to not be forgotten.
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