If Earth were a piece a paper, what would be more interesting – a blank, white piece of parchment or one dotted with scores of unique hues? Each of these colours helps contribute to the overall effect, offering its own unique shade to the fusion. Is there a specific way these ‘colours’ should be arranged? Of course not. The randomness adds value to the picture; each colour complementing the other where it is inept. Dreaming tries to convince us that if everyone carried the same views and opinions (and skin colour) the world would be a ‘merry and bright’ place. In reality we know that the varying complexities of different individuals help the world function as a whole far more effectively.
Dreaming is a song that can certainly get people thinking about what the world might be like, should the world carry those beliefs. It may also get people thinking about what the world was like not too long ago. If you heard this song on the radio, you would probably be outraged (assuming you did not know it was satirical), but if you agreed with it, maybe that’s not such a bad thing either. Those with these views that conflict with the norm often offer us time to reflect and consider how wonderful it really is that we live in a world that (for the most part) accepts people regardless of any of the factors listed in Dreaming.
M.R. Hargreaves
THE DISCRIMINATION
When Jesus walked the Earth, he brought teachings of how we should treat any individual equally, regardless of any discriminating factors. The Discrimination highlights the point that twenty centuries later, we still haven’t figured out His words. Not that ‘we’ includes everyone – it certainly does not. ‘We’ refers to those people who are ignorant.
The Discrimination sings the sad tune of people who have sought to rid the world of discrimination, sometimes with their lives, yet prejudice still lives. This song tries to convince us that their struggle was in vain. I disagree with that statement, and would argue that although we have not yet entirely achieved freedom from discrimination, we have certainly progressed from the days of hating our neighbour because he has a different accent than us. ‘Entirely’ is the key-word here, as discrimination still has feet in many countries. As the song says, people are killed because they are different (or defend those who are), ‘butchered in the name of [discrimination]’.
This song is a call for brazen action by people afflicted by discrimination, and those who live in freedom of the ugly beast, to rise and strike down this opponent. The Discrimination looks at what peace really is to the ‘Mighty Powers’. We are asked if peace is really peace if it is achieved through coercion. The monster may be quiet, but he is surely not dead.
The Discrimination enlightens us to the opinion that right now, the world is wearing the rags of discrimination and to be rid of them we must seek change. The ‘world remaining the same’ is the worst thing that could happen, making no progress in abolishing prejudice. If we are to achieve freedom from discrimination we must do it, and we must do it ‘for justice’s sake’. When the world changes, honesty and integrity will surely rule …
M.R. Hargreaves
