Standing Up
I'm going to talk about something that I know is important and this topic is based off a song I was listening to not too long ago. In the musical, (or now a movie) Hairspray, there is a song called "I know Where I've been," and when I first heard that song, I didn't really pay attention to the lyrics of it; I payed attention to what they were actually doing. What is happening at this point in the story is Motormouth Maybelle, a black mother and tv show host for the "Negro" version of The Corny Collins Show, sings about the constant struggle she has to go through being black in the 50's as a group of Negroes march down the city to protest their oppression. But thinking over it, I realize that this has nothing to with her just being black, but this has everything to do with standing up for what you believe in. Let's dissect the lyrics a bit.
There's a cry in the distance; It's a voice that comes from deep within.
We all have a spirit and inside that spirit of ours is our voice. I mean, physically our voice doesn't resonate exactly from our spirit, but in a way, it kind of does. When we are alive, we have the opportunity to share that voice with others. Those who have a voice and want to say something hold back because a number of things, but I think it's mainly because they don't want to be judged for it. I say, if we want to say something, say it. Obviously don't say something with the intent of hurting another person, but it kills a person to hold something in for so long. Our voices from deep within us are what really matters and what if we have something valuable to say, but never say it at all? Then that would just be wasting a perfectly good mind.
There's a road we've been traveling; Lost so many on the way.
I can personally relate to this. When you stand up for something you believe in, there will be rough patches in the road and we will lose many people/things on the way. But if it's for something you really love, losing other things won't matter in the end. But during that time, it's hard to let go of something you've known and loved for maybe even your whole life.
And now, my favorite line:
But the riches will be plenty, worth the price we had to pay.
Speaking as a member of the church and growing up most of my life around family and friends who didn't share my beliefs was hard, and it still is. I have undergone many trials because of it and sometimes I've even been to dark points where I didn't think I could handle it anymore. But this line comforts me so much because it basically explains why standing up is worth it. We will be rewarded for doing what's right in the face of adversity in the end. I know that.
There's a dream in the future; there's a struggle that we have yet to win.
I really love this. There are so many open opportunities for us in the future and when we are in dark places, it almost seems impossible for us to imagine that. We have constant struggles and in order to face them, the best thing to do is not give up. We can win the struggle and that future dream will eventually become a reality. And for all those that suffered with equality back then really turned their dreams into a reality now.
And just to sit still would be a sin.
I don't know if I'd necessarily say it would be a sin, but sitting still when you should be acting out for what's right wouldn't do any justice. Sitting still is almost the same as going against your own beliefs. And you can still go about standing up for yourself without using violence or anything; just look at people like Gandhi. He is basically one of my heroes.
I know where I'm going; Lord knows I know where I've been.
Standing up is hard, but as long as you know where you're going, and what you want to do, the past isn't relevant at that point. Don't remind yourself of people that have hurt you or mistakes that have been made because as long as you know what you did was right, the Lord is the only one who knows what you've personally gone through and the past is in the past now.
And that concludes my little lyrical breakdown. I really hope it did something, or made their way into someone's heart, or motivated someone to stand up for what's right. If not, oh well, I wrote about something that I believed in and that's all that should matter.
Peace and love
Ali :)
There's a cry in the distance; It's a voice that comes from deep within.
We all have a spirit and inside that spirit of ours is our voice. I mean, physically our voice doesn't resonate exactly from our spirit, but in a way, it kind of does. When we are alive, we have the opportunity to share that voice with others. Those who have a voice and want to say something hold back because a number of things, but I think it's mainly because they don't want to be judged for it. I say, if we want to say something, say it. Obviously don't say something with the intent of hurting another person, but it kills a person to hold something in for so long. Our voices from deep within us are what really matters and what if we have something valuable to say, but never say it at all? Then that would just be wasting a perfectly good mind.
There's a road we've been traveling; Lost so many on the way.
I can personally relate to this. When you stand up for something you believe in, there will be rough patches in the road and we will lose many people/things on the way. But if it's for something you really love, losing other things won't matter in the end. But during that time, it's hard to let go of something you've known and loved for maybe even your whole life.
And now, my favorite line:
But the riches will be plenty, worth the price we had to pay.
Speaking as a member of the church and growing up most of my life around family and friends who didn't share my beliefs was hard, and it still is. I have undergone many trials because of it and sometimes I've even been to dark points where I didn't think I could handle it anymore. But this line comforts me so much because it basically explains why standing up is worth it. We will be rewarded for doing what's right in the face of adversity in the end. I know that.
There's a dream in the future; there's a struggle that we have yet to win.
I really love this. There are so many open opportunities for us in the future and when we are in dark places, it almost seems impossible for us to imagine that. We have constant struggles and in order to face them, the best thing to do is not give up. We can win the struggle and that future dream will eventually become a reality. And for all those that suffered with equality back then really turned their dreams into a reality now.
And just to sit still would be a sin.
I don't know if I'd necessarily say it would be a sin, but sitting still when you should be acting out for what's right wouldn't do any justice. Sitting still is almost the same as going against your own beliefs. And you can still go about standing up for yourself without using violence or anything; just look at people like Gandhi. He is basically one of my heroes.
I know where I'm going; Lord knows I know where I've been.
Standing up is hard, but as long as you know where you're going, and what you want to do, the past isn't relevant at that point. Don't remind yourself of people that have hurt you or mistakes that have been made because as long as you know what you did was right, the Lord is the only one who knows what you've personally gone through and the past is in the past now.
And that concludes my little lyrical breakdown. I really hope it did something, or made their way into someone's heart, or motivated someone to stand up for what's right. If not, oh well, I wrote about something that I believed in and that's all that should matter.
Peace and love
Ali :)
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