Edited by Azizi Powell
This post presents excerpts from three articles about five Dallas, Texas police officers being killed by a Black man and two Black men killed in two separate United States cities by White police officers within one week.
The content of this post is presented to highlight these articles, thus helping to increase the number of people who read their authors and commenters made.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. RIP all who have lost their lives this week.
****
ARTICLE EXCERPTS
These articles are presented in the order that I read them.
Article Excerpt #1:
From https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/07/08/like-a-little-war-snipers-shoot-11-police-officers-during-dallas-protest-march-killing-five/ "Five Dallas police officers were killed by a lone attacker, authorities say" by Joel Achenbach, William Wan, Mark Berman and Moriah Balingit July 8 [2016]
"...Along with the five officers who died, seven others were wounded Thursday night when sniper fire from what turned out to be a lone gunman turned a peaceful protest over recent police shootings into a scene of chaos and terror.
The gunfire was followed by a standoff that lasted for hours when the attacker told authorities “he was upset about the recent police shootings” and “said he wanted to kill white people, especially white officers,” according to Dallas Police Chief David Brown. The gunman was killed when police detonated a bomb-equipped robot.
After the bloodshed — the deadliest single day for law enforcement officers since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks — authorities said they were investigating the shooting and would need several days to continue exploring the crime scene downtown. Officials said two civilians were also injured in the attack."....
****
Article Excerpt #2:
From https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/compost/wp/2016/07/08/dallas-and-american-contradictions/
"Dallas and American ‘contradictions’" by Alexandra Petri July 8 [2016]
"Some people on the Internet seem to be confused. “In the aftermath of twelve people being tragically shot for no reason in Dallas,” they wonder, “how will Black Lives Matter be able to continue being upset about people getting tragically shot for no reason in other places?”
“How will the Black Lives Matter movement square its criticism of police with this deadly shooting of five police officers?” It doesn’t seem hard. Its agenda is “people don’t deserve to be shot for no reason” and that the category of “people who don’t deserve to be shot for no reason” explicitly includes black people.
There’s no contradiction here.
Other people are busy being eloquent with grief and rage, but I can at least make some analogies to help explain why this line of thinking is bad. There is such a thing as constructive criticism.
It’s like if you said, “I want ice cream machines not to malfunction and kill people,” and then everyone said, “So, you hate ice cream machines?” No. You just want the ice cream machine to do its job, and not kill people. You are not opposed to what it is supposed to be doing, just to what it is actually doing. You are all for it doing what it is supposed to do! What it is supposed to do is great!....
A great deal of our self-esteem is dependent upon not fully seeing ourselves. But the first step, as they say, is admitting you have a problem. You don’t have to pretend that America was better than it was to insist that it can be better than it is. To point out that America has a problem with race, or that our police forces are not living up to the ideals we set for them is not to say you hate America or hate the police. You’re saying that you really like America as a concept, that the ideas that animate this country – free speech, free assembly, being created equal — are wonderful ideas and worthy of belief. You’re saying that we need to stop America from malfunctioning, so we can give it to our kids. Even if the malfunction has been there as long as we have, you’re saying there’s hope.
There is no contradiction in that, either."
****
Article #3 [with comments from that article's readers]
From http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/07/08/1544709/-Let-s-be-consistent-Let-s-condemn-violence-against-cops-AND-violence-against-black-folks-STDDs-BLM "Let's be consistent! Let's condemn violence against cops AND violence against black folks #STDDs#BLM" by JoanMar
2016/07/08
"As a group, the members of Support the Dream Defenders reject terrorism and violence in any and every form, whether that murderous violence is police-on-citizens or citizens-on-police....
This. must. stop.
In this week (7 days from June 30 to July 7 — 10:30 PM ) alone, in addition to Alton and Philandro, police killed 23 other Americans!
Let’s repeat that:
American police killed 25 people in the last 7 days!"....
-snip-
"Alton" refers to Alton Sterling, a 37-year-old black man who was shot and killed by officers of the Baton Rouge Police Department on July 5, 2016. The shooting was captured on video and immediately ignited protests in various communities throughout the USA. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/06/us/alton-sterling-baton-rouge-shooting.html?_r=0
"Philandro" [name mispelled] is a referent for Philando Castile, a Baton Rouge, Louisiana Black man who was shot and killed on July 7, 2016 after the police pulled him over for a traffic violation. http://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2016/07/07/485078670/two-days-two-deaths-the-police-shootings-of-alton-sterling-and-philando-castile [Also, read another referent to the shooting death of Philando Castile below.]
-snip-
Selected comments from this article
BlkProphet79 [in response to JoanMar's article] Jul 08
"Ultimately, I recognize you are correct in your calls for consistency. On the surface, I know that. My heartfelt apologies for lashing out. The last couple of days have been harrowing and at work, I’ve found myself as the defacto spokesperson for all the perceived ills of black America and it’s maddening. Such nonsense.
My issue is one of scale. I’ll keep it 100 with you. I find it incredibly difficult to condemn violence against cops AND violence against black folks equally...at least not right now. For me, it’s way to soon and the scales are nowhere near balanced.
You didn’t deserve that as your diaries clearly show you as an ally. Again, my apologies."
**
Reply
JoanMar - BlkProphet79
"Your apology is accepted. I am not an ally, I am a black woman. Yes, I know, this has been a terrible week for all of us. I told group members backstage that I have not felt pain such as I felt this week since my daughter died last year. I was on the kitchen floor sobbing after I heard Diamond’s little 4-year-old daughter comforting her mom after she herself had just been through a horrendous experience.
I know what you are saying and I know how you feel. Cops on the beat will feel fear, but they volunteered for the job, and they know that anyone who dares to violate them will get punished to the full extent of the law...or worse. Cops are agents of the state with the power to kill. I saw grown black men crying on tv this week. Our menfolk know that they cannot protect themselves, cannot protect their wives and children from the police. As Charles Blow said, he has nowhere to run to protect himself and his family. No one but another black person knows the fear we feel for ourselves and our loved ones.
You are forgiven."
-snip-
"Diamond" is the fiancee of Philando Castile. Philando Castile was killed in his car while reaching for his wallet in response to a policeman asking to see his drivers' license. Diamond and their four year old daughter were also in the car at that time. http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/appalled-minnesota-governor-says-philando-castile-would-be-alive-if-n605496
**
Terre slipper Jul 09 [written in response to another commenter who wrote that Black Lives Matter protestors who chant "No Justice No Peace" means that the chanters support violence.]
"I don’t hear the phrase “No Justice No Peace” in the same way you do. What I hear is a shortened catch phrase that says to me “If there is no justice, there can be no peace.” The “no peace” does not mean violence.
Peaceful protests are a part of our history as a nation, and do serve a purpose. A protest is “a statement or action expressing disapproval of or objection to something.”"
**
Terre Jul 09
Poster shown that reads:
"Yes. It’s possible. You can be
just as outraged
over the murder of Black people by cops
as you are at the murder of cops.
Don’t ask people to make a choice.
Life is life."
-Linda Sarsour
FB.com/wearethemedia 2016
****
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Visitor comments are welcome.
Showing posts with label Michael Brown Jr. Black Lives Matter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michael Brown Jr. Black Lives Matter. Show all posts
Saturday, July 9, 2016
Monday, February 9, 2015
What Pharrel Williams' Performance Of "Happy" 2015 Grammy Awards REALLY Means
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post showcases a video of Pharrell Williams's performance of his hit song "Happy" at the Grammy Awards 2015 and provides various- sometimes conflicting- comments about what the staging of that performance means.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic reasons.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/01/pharrell-williams-happy-song-from.html for the pancocojams post "Pharrell Williams - "Happy", from Despicable Me 2 (video, lyrics, and comments)"
This post was revised on Feb. 10, 2015.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Pharrell Williams - Happy (Live GRAMMYs 2015)
PharrellWilliamsVEVO Published on Feb 9, 2015
****
DESCRIPTIONS OF AND COMMENTS ABOUT PHARRELL'S STAGING OF "HAPPY" AT THE 2015 GRAMMY AWARDS
Excerpt From http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/pharrell-williams-ferguson-tribute-happy-771514
Grammys: Pharrell Williams Slips Ferguson Tribute Into "Happy" Performance (Video) by Hilary Lewis
2/8/2015
"Think you've heard every rendition of Pharrell Williams' ubiquitous "Happy"?
The mega-producer brought something new to the Grammys stage this year, teaming up with piano superstar Lang Lang and composer Hans Zimmer for a dramatic rendition of the hit song, which won best pop solo performance and best music video...
Williams, wearing what looked like a bellhop's costume, began his performance by speaking the opening lines of the song before a dramatic orchestral opening and a return to the familiar beat and lyrics. People in white gospel-singer-like robes then filled the aisles. Williams was backed by dancers wearing black hooded sweatshirts, some holding yellow tambourines, which the robed audience members also carried. Williams, whose outfit featured shorts instead of pants, just like his Grammys arrival suit, also sported yellow shoes.
Williams also included a subtle tribute to Ferguson shooting victim Michael Brown, as he and his dancers made a "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" gesture during the performance."
****
Excerpt From http://mic.com/articles/110140/the-powerful-statement-almost-everyone-missed-from-pharrell-s-grammy-performance The Powerful Statement Almost Everyone Missed from Pharrell's Grammy Performance by Derrick Clifton February 08, 2015
"Happy" became a movement unto itself last year. But during his Grammy moment, Pharrell Williams aligned the song's message with what's undoubtedly the biggest movement of the moment. While audiences at home fixated on his bellhop costume, many missed the artist's powerful message.
During the middle of his performance, Williams and his backup dancers on stage — many outfitted in black hoodies — paused. Instead of singing, they allowed their hands to speak for themselves in a tribute to the #BlackLivesMatter movement that emerged last year to protest the killings of unarmed black Americans.
The significance of the black hoodies and the "hands up" motion cannot be understated. Both images have been unmistakably synonymous with the broader movement against the killings of unarmed black people at the hands of police officers and vigilantes. The hoodies originally emerged as a form of protest following the death of Trayvon Martin in 2012 and the eventual acquittal of his killer, George Zimmerman. The "hands up" came immediately following the death of Michael Brown in August 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri, by a police officer.
Williams chose one of the biggest moments of his career, on what's perhaps music's biggest stage, to make a pointed gesture of solidarity with the broader #BlackLivesMatter efforts. Aligning his iconic song "Happy" with a call to value black lives sends a strong signal that the movement's message has been heard — and isn't going away anytime soon."...
****
Selected Comments From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7xB4l8_frc [video above]
Wetesk53, 2015
1. ..."it was a performance bringing light to the #BlackLivesMatter movement that's been going on for a while now protesting. You can see the Hands Up, Don't Shoot at 2:00. As far as I know, Beyonce brought light to it in her performance and Prince during his speech before presenting the best album award."...
**
2. Samson Tuiolosega, 2015
"...i can understand what he attempted to do. (Trying to turn Happy into a inspirational piece due to all the hate crimes lately) but his execution wasnt THAT great. I liked Lang Lang, and Hanz Zimmer and the choir did great. But the story was too sudden and brash for people to comprehend that it was to be more than another interpretation of Happy
**
3. Dawn Slater1, 2015
"I dislike it. Only because I love the original version of the song. The intro was weird in a creepy way. I just don't like this version. But I do respect him for the "hands up"
**
4. Kendra Ann, 2015
"Oh Gosh. The intro is "creepy" or "haunting" sounding because it represents the dark times that are happening today with the violence. Notice the hoodies (Trayvon Martin) and the "hands up don't shoot" (Mike Brown)? The uniform he has on represents the jobs African Americans got back then. The music sounds "all over the place" for a reason. The message is that even through dark times, you can still find happiness and shed light (see the yellow and white they have on?) By the way, it is Black History Month to those who want to say "why bring up the past". I hope this has made it easier for you to understand."
**
5. Ayden Casey, 2016
"He had his backup dancers wear hoods like Trayvon Martin, the back up dancers and Pharell Williams raised their hands as in "Hands Up Don't Shoot" Mike Brown at 2:04, and the Gospel singers symbolize the black churches that marchers met at and leaders spoke, and he sang happy meaning that although all of these things happened, the black community still was happy.
-snip-
I wonder if this is a facetious comment. Read my comment below which presents the opposite opinion about the meaning of Pharrell's 2015 Grammy Awards performance of "Happy".
****
MORE COMMENTS ABOUT PHARRELL WEARING A BELLHOP-LIKE UNIFORM
For what it's worth, I agree with the interpretations given as #1, #3, and #4 below, and disagree with the interpretation given as #2.
1. From [video account deleted]
Earth Spirit1, 2015
"He has a bell boy outfit on.a Stereotypical depiction where they want oppress people to remain. Don't feel don't think, don't react continue in the madness and be happy!"
-snip-
**
2. From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7xB4l8_frc
Queenceba29, 2015
"The bellhop uniform represents his servitude to God. You see at the end when he speaks to God and is like " I am your servant".. yeah..it's all symbolism. That's amazing. It really is."
**
3. From https://www.facebook.com/MicMedia/posts/883326845023440 Pharrell Williams' performance was about much more than being happy.
-MIC.com
Gerri Seay
"Black Hoodies, Hands up don't Shoot and his bellman servant uniform... Metaphors all. Deep really. Almost Dunbar's "We wear the Mask" deep. We "happy" though!"
**
4. Gerri Seay
"... The jobs our talented fore parents had to take so their children could be "happy." And he's from VA [Virginia], so he Knows"
-snip-
Gerri Seay's comments above refer to the way that Black people had (have) to pretend to be happy and content in order to survive in a racist society. Here's late 19th century, early 20th century African American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar's composition "We Wear The Mask"
"We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
This debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
And mouth with myriad subtleties.
Why should the world be over-wise,
In counting all our tears and sighs?
Nay, let them only see us, while
We wear the mask.
We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise.
We sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
But let the world dream otherwise,
We wear the mask!
pSource http://www.potw.org/archive/potw8.html
****
Editor's comment
Pharrell Williams' staging of his song "Happy" at the 2015 Grammy Awards show elevated that composition from just a lighthearted feel-good "Don't worry. Be happy"* song to one that sends a serious message. In my opinion, one of those messages is that people can't really be happy as long as police violence and other injustices occur.
Williams added a serious element to this performance of "Happy" in the beginning of this performance by changing his song into a spoken word piece. His words were echoed in other languages. The inclusion of those different languages and featuring a Chinese pianist may have been meant to convey the point that this message isn't just about or for Black Americans.
The inclusion of a few chords from Marvin Gaye's "Save The Children" song** also raised the level of this song from a puff piece to something much more serious.
The inclusion of the "Hands Up Don't Shoot" gesture -a reference to Michael Brown, Jr, the Black teen that was killed in Ferguson, Missouri by a White police officer)- and the cast wearing hoodies- a reference to Trayvon Martin- promoted the "Black Lives Matter" movement and sent the message that people might smile outwardly, but they won't really be happy until injustices such as police violence are eradicated.
Pharrell's folding his hand in prayer and saying "...as you can see Lord, I'm at your service...." reinforced the serious intent of this rendition of "Happy" and may even be considered an apology for his previous statements about Michael Brown Jr.
In a November 2014 article in Ebony Magazine, Pharrell said that Michael Brown, Jr looked "very bully-ish" in a video of him pushing a storeowner, and then later asking for trouble when he didn't listen to a police officer demanding that he get out of the street. Those comments were part of a November 2014 Ebony Magazine interview:
..."Ebony: Did you see the video allegedly showing Michael Brown stealing from a convenience store minutes before his death? What do you think?
PW: It looked very bully-ish; that in itself I had a problem with. Not with the kid, but with whatever happened in his life for him to arrive at a place where that behavior is OK. Why aren’t we talking about that?...
I believe that Ferguson officer should be punished and serve time. He used excessive force on a human being who was merely a child. He was a baby, man. The boy was walking in the middle of the street when the police supposedly told him to ‘get the f–k on the sidewalk.’ If you don’t listen to that, after just having pushed a storeowner, you’re asking for trouble. But you’re not asking to be killed. Some of these youth feel hunted and preyed upon, and that’s why that officer needs to be punished."
-http://www.racialicious.com/2015/02/09/the-grammys-have-an-awkward-brush-with-social-justice/#more-33701 The Grammys Have An Awkward Brush With Social Justice, Arturo, February 9, 2015
*"Don't Worry. Be Happy" is a referent to Bobby McFerrin's widely known song which was released in 1988. Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65scQU for a video of that song.
**Here's an excerpt of the lyrics to Marvin Gaye's "Save The Children":
"I just want to ask a question:
Who really cares, to save a world in despair?
Who really cares?
Flowers won't grow (flowers won't grow, no)
Bells won't be ringing (the bells won't be ringing)
Who really cares? (Who really cares?)
Who's willing to try? (Who is willing to try?)
To save the world, (to save the world)
That's destined to die (that is destined to die)"...
- http://genius.com/Marvin-gaye-save-the-children-lyrics
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/03/songs-from-marvin-gayes-whats-going-on.html for a pancocojams post about Marvin Gaye's "Save The Children" and other songs from his 1971 "What's Going On" album.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This post showcases a video of Pharrell Williams's performance of his hit song "Happy" at the Grammy Awards 2015 and provides various- sometimes conflicting- comments about what the staging of that performance means.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic reasons.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/01/pharrell-williams-happy-song-from.html for the pancocojams post "Pharrell Williams - "Happy", from Despicable Me 2 (video, lyrics, and comments)"
This post was revised on Feb. 10, 2015.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Pharrell Williams - Happy (Live GRAMMYs 2015)
PharrellWilliamsVEVO Published on Feb 9, 2015
****
DESCRIPTIONS OF AND COMMENTS ABOUT PHARRELL'S STAGING OF "HAPPY" AT THE 2015 GRAMMY AWARDS
Excerpt From http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/pharrell-williams-ferguson-tribute-happy-771514
Grammys: Pharrell Williams Slips Ferguson Tribute Into "Happy" Performance (Video) by Hilary Lewis
2/8/2015
"Think you've heard every rendition of Pharrell Williams' ubiquitous "Happy"?
The mega-producer brought something new to the Grammys stage this year, teaming up with piano superstar Lang Lang and composer Hans Zimmer for a dramatic rendition of the hit song, which won best pop solo performance and best music video...
Williams, wearing what looked like a bellhop's costume, began his performance by speaking the opening lines of the song before a dramatic orchestral opening and a return to the familiar beat and lyrics. People in white gospel-singer-like robes then filled the aisles. Williams was backed by dancers wearing black hooded sweatshirts, some holding yellow tambourines, which the robed audience members also carried. Williams, whose outfit featured shorts instead of pants, just like his Grammys arrival suit, also sported yellow shoes.
Williams also included a subtle tribute to Ferguson shooting victim Michael Brown, as he and his dancers made a "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" gesture during the performance."
****
Excerpt From http://mic.com/articles/110140/the-powerful-statement-almost-everyone-missed-from-pharrell-s-grammy-performance The Powerful Statement Almost Everyone Missed from Pharrell's Grammy Performance by Derrick Clifton February 08, 2015
"Happy" became a movement unto itself last year. But during his Grammy moment, Pharrell Williams aligned the song's message with what's undoubtedly the biggest movement of the moment. While audiences at home fixated on his bellhop costume, many missed the artist's powerful message.
During the middle of his performance, Williams and his backup dancers on stage — many outfitted in black hoodies — paused. Instead of singing, they allowed their hands to speak for themselves in a tribute to the #BlackLivesMatter movement that emerged last year to protest the killings of unarmed black Americans.
The significance of the black hoodies and the "hands up" motion cannot be understated. Both images have been unmistakably synonymous with the broader movement against the killings of unarmed black people at the hands of police officers and vigilantes. The hoodies originally emerged as a form of protest following the death of Trayvon Martin in 2012 and the eventual acquittal of his killer, George Zimmerman. The "hands up" came immediately following the death of Michael Brown in August 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri, by a police officer.
Williams chose one of the biggest moments of his career, on what's perhaps music's biggest stage, to make a pointed gesture of solidarity with the broader #BlackLivesMatter efforts. Aligning his iconic song "Happy" with a call to value black lives sends a strong signal that the movement's message has been heard — and isn't going away anytime soon."...
****
Selected Comments From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7xB4l8_frc [video above]
Wetesk53, 2015
1. ..."it was a performance bringing light to the #BlackLivesMatter movement that's been going on for a while now protesting. You can see the Hands Up, Don't Shoot at 2:00. As far as I know, Beyonce brought light to it in her performance and Prince during his speech before presenting the best album award."...
**
2. Samson Tuiolosega, 2015
"...i can understand what he attempted to do. (Trying to turn Happy into a inspirational piece due to all the hate crimes lately) but his execution wasnt THAT great. I liked Lang Lang, and Hanz Zimmer and the choir did great. But the story was too sudden and brash for people to comprehend that it was to be more than another interpretation of Happy
**
3. Dawn Slater1, 2015
"I dislike it. Only because I love the original version of the song. The intro was weird in a creepy way. I just don't like this version. But I do respect him for the "hands up"
**
4. Kendra Ann, 2015
"Oh Gosh. The intro is "creepy" or "haunting" sounding because it represents the dark times that are happening today with the violence. Notice the hoodies (Trayvon Martin) and the "hands up don't shoot" (Mike Brown)? The uniform he has on represents the jobs African Americans got back then. The music sounds "all over the place" for a reason. The message is that even through dark times, you can still find happiness and shed light (see the yellow and white they have on?) By the way, it is Black History Month to those who want to say "why bring up the past". I hope this has made it easier for you to understand."
**
5. Ayden Casey, 2016
"He had his backup dancers wear hoods like Trayvon Martin, the back up dancers and Pharell Williams raised their hands as in "Hands Up Don't Shoot" Mike Brown at 2:04, and the Gospel singers symbolize the black churches that marchers met at and leaders spoke, and he sang happy meaning that although all of these things happened, the black community still was happy.
-snip-
I wonder if this is a facetious comment. Read my comment below which presents the opposite opinion about the meaning of Pharrell's 2015 Grammy Awards performance of "Happy".
****
MORE COMMENTS ABOUT PHARRELL WEARING A BELLHOP-LIKE UNIFORM
For what it's worth, I agree with the interpretations given as #1, #3, and #4 below, and disagree with the interpretation given as #2.
1. From [video account deleted]
Earth Spirit1, 2015
"He has a bell boy outfit on.a Stereotypical depiction where they want oppress people to remain. Don't feel don't think, don't react continue in the madness and be happy!"
-snip-
**
2. From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7xB4l8_frc
Queenceba29, 2015
"The bellhop uniform represents his servitude to God. You see at the end when he speaks to God and is like " I am your servant".. yeah..it's all symbolism. That's amazing. It really is."
**
3. From https://www.facebook.com/MicMedia/posts/883326845023440 Pharrell Williams' performance was about much more than being happy.
-MIC.com
Gerri Seay
"Black Hoodies, Hands up don't Shoot and his bellman servant uniform... Metaphors all. Deep really. Almost Dunbar's "We wear the Mask" deep. We "happy" though!"
**
4. Gerri Seay
"... The jobs our talented fore parents had to take so their children could be "happy." And he's from VA [Virginia], so he Knows"
-snip-
Gerri Seay's comments above refer to the way that Black people had (have) to pretend to be happy and content in order to survive in a racist society. Here's late 19th century, early 20th century African American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar's composition "We Wear The Mask"
"We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,—
This debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile,
And mouth with myriad subtleties.
Why should the world be over-wise,
In counting all our tears and sighs?
Nay, let them only see us, while
We wear the mask.
We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise.
We sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
But let the world dream otherwise,
We wear the mask!
pSource http://www.potw.org/archive/potw8.html
****
Editor's comment
Pharrell Williams' staging of his song "Happy" at the 2015 Grammy Awards show elevated that composition from just a lighthearted feel-good "Don't worry. Be happy"* song to one that sends a serious message. In my opinion, one of those messages is that people can't really be happy as long as police violence and other injustices occur.
Williams added a serious element to this performance of "Happy" in the beginning of this performance by changing his song into a spoken word piece. His words were echoed in other languages. The inclusion of those different languages and featuring a Chinese pianist may have been meant to convey the point that this message isn't just about or for Black Americans.
The inclusion of a few chords from Marvin Gaye's "Save The Children" song** also raised the level of this song from a puff piece to something much more serious.
The inclusion of the "Hands Up Don't Shoot" gesture -a reference to Michael Brown, Jr, the Black teen that was killed in Ferguson, Missouri by a White police officer)- and the cast wearing hoodies- a reference to Trayvon Martin- promoted the "Black Lives Matter" movement and sent the message that people might smile outwardly, but they won't really be happy until injustices such as police violence are eradicated.
Pharrell's folding his hand in prayer and saying "...as you can see Lord, I'm at your service...." reinforced the serious intent of this rendition of "Happy" and may even be considered an apology for his previous statements about Michael Brown Jr.
In a November 2014 article in Ebony Magazine, Pharrell said that Michael Brown, Jr looked "very bully-ish" in a video of him pushing a storeowner, and then later asking for trouble when he didn't listen to a police officer demanding that he get out of the street. Those comments were part of a November 2014 Ebony Magazine interview:
..."Ebony: Did you see the video allegedly showing Michael Brown stealing from a convenience store minutes before his death? What do you think?
PW: It looked very bully-ish; that in itself I had a problem with. Not with the kid, but with whatever happened in his life for him to arrive at a place where that behavior is OK. Why aren’t we talking about that?...
I believe that Ferguson officer should be punished and serve time. He used excessive force on a human being who was merely a child. He was a baby, man. The boy was walking in the middle of the street when the police supposedly told him to ‘get the f–k on the sidewalk.’ If you don’t listen to that, after just having pushed a storeowner, you’re asking for trouble. But you’re not asking to be killed. Some of these youth feel hunted and preyed upon, and that’s why that officer needs to be punished."
-http://www.racialicious.com/2015/02/09/the-grammys-have-an-awkward-brush-with-social-justice/#more-33701 The Grammys Have An Awkward Brush With Social Justice, Arturo, February 9, 2015
*"Don't Worry. Be Happy" is a referent to Bobby McFerrin's widely known song which was released in 1988. Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65scQU for a video of that song.
**Here's an excerpt of the lyrics to Marvin Gaye's "Save The Children":
"I just want to ask a question:
Who really cares, to save a world in despair?
Who really cares?
Flowers won't grow (flowers won't grow, no)
Bells won't be ringing (the bells won't be ringing)
Who really cares? (Who really cares?)
Who's willing to try? (Who is willing to try?)
To save the world, (to save the world)
That's destined to die (that is destined to die)"...
- http://genius.com/Marvin-gaye-save-the-children-lyrics
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/03/songs-from-marvin-gayes-whats-going-on.html for a pancocojams post about Marvin Gaye's "Save The Children" and other songs from his 1971 "What's Going On" album.
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