Change– to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc. different from what it is or what it would be if left alone; to transform; to become different; a transformation or alteration.
Change is something that is not easy for most of us; I know it is a difficult task for me personally. But there are times when I see that change in necessary. In fact, I am sure there are areas where we all see change as important for growth and prosperity. But most of the time the changes we see as crucial are ones that also seem insurmountable. Scores of Americans believe that although change is desired it is impossible. Because of the sheer weight of the task of change it becomes easier for us to complain about the issues and experiences we disagree with rather than stepping forward to enact change. We have gotten the idea into our heads that one person cannot make a difference. So where do we go from here? We know that change must occur for growth to continue and we know that it will be a difficult and, probably, slow process. So, the question becomes this: Are we willing to work hard to seek change that may not occur in our lifetimes? (And) Are we willing to endure hardship so that generations after us will prosper and reap the benefits of our determination?
I love music. I believe that music can be a great barometer of cultural opinion. Music often times speaks for its generation. A song that recently spoke for the young American generation is Waiting on the World to Change by John Mayer. Here is a brief excerpt from this Top 40 hit: it’s not that we don’t care, we just know that the fight ain’t fair so we keep on waiting, waiting on the world to change. As a person who believes I am willing to work to see change occur, even if I am not a benefactor of that change, I am angered by the message of this song. My question to John Mayer, and to those who ascribe to his philosophy is this, when will it be your turn to serve your fellow man? When will you decide to stop waiting on the outskirts of decision making and become responsible for the future of your country and your family’s direction?
The Rev. Jesse Jackson is quoted as saying; “Both tears and sweat are salty, but render a different result. Tears will get you sympathy, sweat will get you change.” Although I don’t usually agree with Rev. Jackson this is one point with which I do agree. The only way to see things made different or better is to become active in the pursuit of change. My parents instilled within my brother, sister, and myself at young ages that you must work for what you need and want. This valuable lesson has paid off in our lives because we are not easily swayed from something we put our minds to accomplish.
I believe there is an awakening happening. I believe that our generation is beginning to catch hold of the notion that we should not expect to be catered to; we shouldn’t expect to reap reward without an effort; and we must work hard to see that ALL men, at home and abroad, begin to truly be treated equally. I hope that when our children’s children look back on what our generation had to say, the voice speaking for us will not be John Mayer and those; Waiting on the World to Change. Instead I hope they hear songs that sound more like this:
Yahweh by U2
Take these shoes, click clacking down some dead end street
Take these shoes, and make them fit
Take this shirt, polyester white trash made in nowhere
Take this shirt, and make it clean, clean
Take this soul, stranded in some skin and bones
Take this soul, and make it sing
Yahweh, Yahweh, always pain before a child is born
Yahweh, Yahweh, still I’m waiting for the dawn
Take these hands, teach them what to carry
Take these hands, don’t make a fist
Take this mouth, so quick to criticize
Take this mouth, give it a kiss
Yahweh, Yahweh, always pain before a child is born
Yahweh, Yahweh, still I’m waiting for the dawn
Still waiting for the dawn, the sun is coming up
The sun is coming up on the ocean
This love is like a drop in the ocean
This love is like a drop in the ocean
Yahweh, Yahweh, always pain before a child is born
Yahweh, tell me now, why the dark before the dawn?
Take this city, a city should be shining on a hill
Take this city, if it be your will
What no man can own, no man can take
Take this heart, Take this heart, Take this heart
And make it break
