The turn of the century Cohen brothers classic, the film that sparked one of the best country albums of all time (And won the Grammy for best album), has a line in it:
"You aint bonefide!"
Ulysses Everett McGill, in prison for practicing law without a license is told by his young child that despite his efforts to right his ways, he's not winning anybody over with his behavior. He wants to get back to his family before his wife remarries. The kids miss their father, and most likely have been lied to, as to shelter their hearts for being so young to the actual truth.
This was 1930's, 1940's deep south.
Fast forward to our reality right now in 2017 America.
For many, it is 'hard time killing floor blues'.
"These hard times will drive you from door to door."
Many Americans were conned by a oil snake salesmen, going against their better nature to elect a failed businessman who inherited wealth from his father and has violated more ethics laws then Ted Bundy and Jeffery Dahmer in Judge John Jay Celebrity Heaven Court.
These people would have never settled for the New York City pitch of 'Make America Great Again."
I'm talking about the ones that aren't inherently racist.
I know what you're thinking. John Jay made it to heaven?
God decided to forgive a lot of slave owners.
I digress.
As website are starting to pop up showing people's reservations for actually voting for Donald Trump, my mind keeps coming back to this soundtrack and message.
The movie, based on the Greek king Odysseus, who tries to return home after being in the Trojan War.
As I adventure outside my bubble, I strongly disagree with how some reached conclusions, but people feel at war. At war with themselves. At war with others. At war with addiction. At war with depression.
Many people's fears have come true. And for most, I feel they can care less about race and more about their own stability and happiness.
It's normal. You have to start with yourself first.
Whether your a political activist or a farmer in the deep south with a heroin addiction, you know that you need to take care of yourself.
Who's going to save you?
You can put your faith in things not seen, and yet you need help from the people.
So what do you have now?
We are introduced into the new Age of Austerity and it's only going to get worse.
DT can't save enough jobs and negotiate his way into jobs that are becoming obsolete as we move towards automation and the future.
This is a reality nobody wants to face.
That and this.
Suicide, Alcoholism, Addiction all give us the George Orwellian book we find ourselves in. Only difference is David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen aren't in this 1984. And you don't need Cris Cross to make you "Jump, Jump."
You need a ticket to Panama. Well, assuming you don't have a valid Green Card..
...
..
.
How are we going to accept everyone as a human being free from religion and free to practice it?
How are we going to understand each other moving forward?
How are we going to make our leaders accountable as millennials tell the older generations,
"We have it from here. Thank you for your service."?
Politics have changed. The way we speak to each other has changed.
What's never changed is the everyday struggle for most people as they face their own demons in a land that demonizes others.
Our hearts will remain steadfast in our patience quest for unabashed truth to power.
O' Brother Where Art Thou?
Here, and I'll tell you how, say how?
As I 'went down to the river to pray.'
I bowed before the water, to hear the grass say.
"Although people walk over me, and assume I'm always here,
I too need the water, as I often think in fear.
So worry not my travelers, and to wherever you may roam,
Know that this land is your land, but a house is not a home.
'Go to sleep you little babies', your Mom and Dad have gone away,
To find a better nation, one in which you're free to play.
And so as you march and exercise rights be guided by the stars, do not hide,
For you will be redeemed, and even 'bona fide!'
No comments:
Post a Comment