Top Ten Reasons to Stand United
Us versus Them. There is a division in our country and in the world beyond our borders. Ruling factions are treating citizens like a Punch and Judy puppet show, pulling the strings to create battles. The ideals that separate us will always be in place. The minds of humans all work in different ways. Those functions are in the plus column. The world we live in would be drastically changed if we all thought the same way. Like a song, it is the ability of the chaos to come together that makes beautiful music. In order for the human race to survive we need to come together and find a common ground. Our beliefs have similarities that are being downplayed as our differences are being put on display daily as distractions to mask what those in power would like to keep hidden.
Our path is a simple one. Rather than picking a side to be on, we need to stand united in spite of our differences. The current political situations could inspire we the people to stand together and take charge of our world rather than giving over control to those that can’t handle the task of governing. Rulers seek to keep us in our seats while they take on the role of game show hosts, entertaining with insults and hinting at possible prizes for the winners.
Our list this week does not have the answers, maybe not even the questions. The artist providing music show a road to take in their words. Sly and the Family Stone start things off with one basic instruction, “Stand!”. The demand comes from the adage that ‘if you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything. The Del Lords have some solutions as they pose the question “How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?” while Old Crow Medicine Show can hear the voices of the past lending their experiences for our futures in “I Hear Them All”. Encouragement comes from The Pointer Sisters with “Yes We Can Can”, from Dwight Yoakam in “Let’s Work Together”, and with a song from Kevin Deal in “Stand and Deliver”. Royal Southern Brotherhood lend support with defiance demanding we “Stand Up” as The Wailers bring us on our feet to confront oppressors with “Get Up, Stand Up” while Eliza Gilkyson envisions a land “Where No Monuments Stand”. Closing out our list, Patti Smith sums it all up, pointing out that our future is in our hands if we want it in “People Have the Power”.