John Mayer v. The Dixie Chicks

The ole' iPod has been playing two songs as of late that have me asking some questions about today's level and nature of political activism.  Back in my day (Do I sound old, or what?) we protested, we chanted, we fought, we passionate, etc.  Now i am not saying that that is the case these days, but I wonder sometimes how powerless we may be, might feel are really are.  I have no answers to this, but two popular songs these days definitely have differing views on how folks are perceiving political action these days.

If you have not heard either of these songs, "Not Ready to Make Nice" by the Dixie Chicks in response to comments made about Prez Bush and John Mayer's, "Waiting on the World to Change" I have included some key lyrics as well as the videos, courtesy of YouTube.com.

As you listen to the messages in these songs, one must wonder about those age old questions, "Does art imitate life?" or "Does life imitate art?"  in this case I think songs offer a valid perception of society and a generation who on one hand feels frustrated and angry, and on the other, is cognoscente and cynical about the ability to change anything. 

The Dixie Chicks capture this idea, tat just getting along is not always the best thing  That sometime we must stand up for what we believe and that "Righteous Anger" in the face of injustice or oppression is not only justified, but demanded of us.

At the same time John Mayer is also right in this idea, that folks are not in a posture of pure 80's cynicism and "I'm gonna get mine" mentality, but rather, a  realistic understanding of the nature of institutional and systematic social change.  Sure, this can turn to apathy, but it can also be a wise way to conserve energy and build up real power for transformation . . . when the time is right.

In the end, real change, systematic, political, culture can not happen without both.  Those who scream, yell, build barricades and otherwise make sure the injustice is made public are needed so we don;t forget.  These are folks on the front lines making sure that people know that most issues worth caring about are not just theoretical exercise, but are about people.  Those who wait then, when the time is right can work amidst a system to truly bring about sustainable change.