Prior to COVID, the way in which we worked has long taken a toll on many. We need to admit the problems, take stock and reimagine a future that works for everyone. This past week has been brutal yet we have coalesced across the globe to fight for justice for all. Black Lives Matter. We must not let this opportunity to #reimagine pass us by.
“Nothing should go back to normal. Normal wasn’t working. If we go back to the way things were, we will have lost the lesson. May we rise up and do better.”
Anonymous
People from around the globe have responded in unprecedented numbers to the horrific death of George Floyd at the hands of police. It seems people, both here in the US and abroad, have had enough of police brutality and the bigger problems of racism and social injustice. Dare we be hopeful that change is coming? Racial inequality and injustice has been with us for a very long time. But is it intransigent? I offer you the question Marvin Gaye asked so many years ago, “Who really cares to save a world in despair? Who really cares?”
Marvin Gaye released “What’s Going On” back in 1971. The lyrics of the song are inspired by violence and police brutality in America. While released nearly 50 years ago, it seems as relevant now as it was then. I offer you both the lyrics of this song and a current video of it that opens in Flint Michigan. Yes, that Flint Michigan. You know, the place that still has lead in it’s drinking water.
Please watch. Hear the words. Hear the pleas for a better world. Again, I offer Mr. Gaye’s immortal question, “Who really cares to save a world in despair? Who really cares?” I hope you do.
What’s Going On: Marvin Gaye
Mother, mother
There’s too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There’s far too many of you dying
You know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some lovin’ here today, eh eh
Father, father
We don’t need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some lovin’ here today, oh oh oh
Picket lines and picket signs
Don’t punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what’s going on
What’s going on
Yeah, what’s going on
Ah, what’s going on
In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on brother
Right on babe
Mother, mother, everybody thinks we’re wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply ’cause our hair is long
Oh, you know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh oh oh
Picket lines and picket signs
Don’t punish me with brutality
C’mon talk to me
So you can see
What’s going on
Yeah, what’s going on
Tell me what’s going on
I’ll tell you what’s going on, ooh ooh ooh ooh
Right on baby
Right on baby
Source: LyricFind – Songwriters: Alfred W Cleveland / Marvin P Gaye / Renaldo Benson – What’s Going On lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
