NINA SIMONE- DON'T LET ME BE MISUNDERSTOOD (1964)
I love the spirit of the young people in the 1960s. There were blacks and whites coming together to fight for the common good. They all had their differences, misconceptions, and prejudices, but some of them saw it fit to join hands to fight the powers that be. We have a chance to do that today with more than just black and white hands. Nina Simone expresses it so well in this song. Please listen and look. In the end, the question is what are we fighting for today or are we fighting anything at all?
Comments
thank you for your comment you should check in more often...
Today's struggle? Complicated in a way that it wasn't in the '60s. You knew who the bad guy was back then: the guys in the sheets, the policemen turning dogs on you, the governor standing in the schoolhouse door saying "Segregation forever!" These days the bad guy is more likely to hide behind everybody else, and behind politics and legal considerations and such. In many cases, you don't even know if the bad guy is white. Much of the struggle seems to take place within the African-American community.
Thanks for that comment. I am still trying to figure out what is on the minds of those who control our government. If they are trying to reinvent the past history has shown that things must and will get to a volatile point. I don't know if anyone is prepared for that.
Mike-
You're correct. The enemy is not so clear now. The issue is that there was a great deal of damage done to black people here in America over a long period of time. I mean over a century. The problem is that we have not started the healing. There has only been bandages over the deep cuts and gashes.
Completely off-topic, if you haven't answered the "eight things about me" meme, Stephen, you have now been tagged. :^)
We're on the same page. I just didn't feel like writing a long response. Thank you for the clarification.
It shames me as a woman to know that a large portion of women wear a dark black veil.
Nina is one of my favorites, what a powerful voice.
I like strive too. You're a peaceful one, huh? :) That's good. You've raised another important issue in your culture. Thanks for that.
We have not come a long way, I must disagree. Things have evolved somewhat - but the notion that we are any much further than where we were is false. Nonetheless, the perpetuation of such a notion is necessary so that we may remain subdued.
We have to maybe first fight for our psychological liberation and then all other freedoms that we see fit afterwards.
In unity...
I agree. psychological liberation is definitely in order. It seems almost unrealistic when one takes a look at what's going on around us. However, everything must change. I just hope that there is change for the better.
Bygbaby
What have we to fight today ?
Illness. Poverty. Inequality in the world ?
Regardless of age or sex ?
I like the way you put that.
Amia-
Thank you. I will check that out. I'll have to wait until I get home.
Bygbaby-
lol! That's funny, but it's not. So true. :) I always look forward to your comments. Peace~
Cergie-
Yes...or race. Then again, I like what Robert Sobukwe said. He said that the word "race" does not have a plural form. Thank you, Lucie!
Very true. There was musical part to the March on Washington on that hot August day in 1963, but it was only to give musical tributes to the cause. The songs were political (Bob Dylan) and Spiritual (Mahalia Jackson). Thanks and good to see you.
This is for me is very deep, especially at a time when I have to sit before a panel next week.
Have a good week.
It hurts, watching, listening to them go on and on about these 'things' while children, women, in less fortunate societies need so much help.