Go to my handouts on teacherweb. The last link is labled "Blog World Lit H." It is a song by Dave Matthews Band. Once you've listened to it I want you to explain how it connects to Apartheid.
I feel as if the lyrics to the song captivate the Apartheid from the perspective of the European settlers who seized the native African lands. The song convey the message the phrase "There isn't room for the both of us," which, in an essence, was the Apartheid. The native Africans were treated like second-class citizens upon the arrival of the Europeans, and the laws established by the newcomers pushed the blacks away from what they knew as home, both literally and figuratively.
Here are some examples that I took from the lyrics that seem to highlight a connection to the Apartheid:
"There's no place here; what were you expecting? No room for both, just room for me.": This goes back to the point that I made that only one race was allowed to live comfortably. In the case of the Apartheid, it was the Europeans who lived the more comfortable life.
"So you will lay your arms down; yes, I will call this home. Away, away; you have been banished. Your land is gone and given to me, and here I will spread my wings. Yes, I will call this home.": This sounds like a potential message from the Europeans to the Africans, telling the Africans to surrender all that they have in order for the Europeans to settle in.
"What's this you say, you feel a right to remain? Then, stay and I will bury you.": This can be taken as an ultimatum from the European to the African. Many advocates of the Apartheid, whether if they were positions or authority or not, believed in doing whatever it took to instill the values of the era, even if it meant torture or death upon the Africans. This connection also applies to the line, “All I can say to you, my new neighbor, you must move on or I will bury you.” I can breathe my own air and I can sleep more soundly upon these poor souls; I'll build Heaven and call it home ‘cause you're all dead now.”: This sums up the harsh reality of the Apartheid; lives of those who had originated from the African lands were destroyed, applying to both the living and the dead. Many people had to suffer and die under the regime of Apartheid, many of whom were innocent.
This entire song parallels the experience of Apartheid. The song describes how there is not enough room on the land for both of them, which is similar to how the blacks were pushed off their land. "All I can say to you my new neighbor, Is you must move on or I will bury you" shows how brute force was used in Apartheid. The fact that they will be buried implies death. Towards the end of the song, adjectives are used to describe the feelings and reasons for taking over the land. Words such as "greedy need" "no mercy" "hatred" and "jealousy" all show why Apartheid was fueled. "That I don't need anyone but me, Don't drink the water, There's blood in the water." The fact there there is blood in the water shows how violence was used to separate the people and to gain the desired land, but the land in tainted because of the cruelty and injustice that took place on it. Sarah Kinslow
This song connects to Apartheid because it discusses a person living with complete freedom, just as the whites wanted to completely remove the blacks from society.
"I'll build heaven and call it home 'Cause you're all dead now I live with my justice I live with my greedy need I live with no mercy"
The piece above from one of the stanzas can relate to the white people living in South Africa and living with their form of "justice" "greedy need" and "no mercy" as they kill the innocent black people.
The song also states "no use in hiding, come now come now... just room for me" which can relate to the whites killing the blacks. The whites are saying that there is not where that the blacks are safe, "no use in hiding." The whites also claim that there is only room for one group of people in South Africa, "just room for me."
This song relates to Apartheid because it explains how the whites took over the home of the Africans, not caring about the Africans themselves as people. The lyrics state, " Away away, you have been banished, your land is gone, and given me." Regardless of the fact that the Africans had always been an important part of South Africa, the whites made one decision that altered the lives of the Africans forever. The whites did not think about if their actions were fair or just, but they acted solely upon their wants and needs. The lyrics also state, "You feel a right to remain, then stay and I will bury you, what's that you say, your father's spirit still lives in this place, I will silence you." This expresses that the whites realized that the Africans had a long history in South Africa, but if they did not leave themselves, the whites would move the blacks in any way possible, even if it was hurtful. "All I can say to you my new neighbor, is you must move on or I will bury you." The lyrics also state that the only two possible choices the Africans had was to either leave their homeland, or face death. As the words, "no mercy, jealousy, and hatred" are mentioned at the end of the song, it proves how ruthless the whites were to the Africans in South Africa, sparing no mercy. The song illustrates the constant struggle that the blacks face with the whites each day, living in South Africa.
Most of this song can be directly related to Apartheid and how the whites felt that they were superior enough to just completely take over the land and use it for themselves. One of the lines in the song really illustrates this image: "and as you go, I will spread my wings." From our perspective, the oppression of Africans is clearly wrong and immoral, but to them, it's a chance to expand and better their lives, and they are proud to do so. The other line in the song that caught my attention was "you must move aside or I will bury you." This ties into Apartheid quite literally, because if the Africans did not do as the white people said, they would kill them.
The song “Don’t drink the water” refers unbelievably to the Apartheid that has taken place in South Africa. Black Africans are the majority in South Africa and once controlled all the land. However, in the 20th century, white people entered the land and claimed it as their own. The white people, even though they were the minority, did not care about the Black Africans feeling and took complete control of South Africa. The part of the lyrics of the song is ” Away away/ You have been banished/Your land is gone /And given me” explains exactly what the white people thought of blacks. African Blacks were force to live in shanty town and not learn correctly as a way to for the controlling whites to make sure blacks never rise ahead. The song is what the perspective of the white people would be thinking. They showed no mercy, “live with the greedy need”, and killed anyone that got in their way of their greed, such as blacks. Lastly, the last lines of the song “Don't drink the water/There's blood in the water” refers to the death of all the blacks who were murdered by all the whites in South Africa.
This song depicts the Apartheid exactly. It states, "No room for both, just room for me." This shows how the Africans in South Africa felt. People came in and took their land with no regard to the ones who already lived there. Another line in the song that is very descriptive of the Apartheid situation says, " All I can say to you my new neighbor, You must move on or I will bury you." The white people wanted the land so badly that they were willing to massacre these innocent people for it. This song is exactly what the white people in South African are thinking and saying. Worst is they were actually putting these beliefs and ideas into motion. Toward the end of the song, this is said, "I live with my justice And I live with my greedy need I live with no mercy And I live with my frenzied feeding I live with my hatred And I live with my jealousy I live with the notion that I don't need anyone but me." The white people exhibit complete desire to have South African be there's no matter what the cost.
"Upon these poor souls, I'll build heaven and call it home, Cause you're all dead now, I live with my justice, I live with my greedy need" The end of the song symbolizes the European dream of succeeding in taking over and the Africans that spoke up are now gone. This verse is trying to explain all of the bloodshed and death through their definition of "justice" which is a word more similar to "greed". This is because the reason for Apartheid was not for "justice" but rather greedy Europeans that wanted more land to make profit. The definition of heaven for the Europeans is Africa. The Europeans would drain Africa's resources in order to build up a profit. The native Africans were forced to work in horrible conditions in order to appease European greed. Although the Europeans in Africa are aware of what is going on they continue to let it happen rather than taking a stand.
I think everything regarding this song directly connects to Apartheid. From a white man’s point of view, the lyrics describe the harshness and brutality used to run the black members of society out of Africa. This is proven when the song writer states, “No room for both, just room for me.” This was the common mentality of the whites who tried to take over the fertile land belonging to the black. For the whites, sharing was by no means an option. The human being is a greedy and selfish creature; the main idea of Apartheid was to be apart or separated. The whites wanted the blacks gone for their own benefit. “Now as I rest my feet by this fire, those hands once warmed here, I have retired them, I can breathe my own air.” In this case, the fire represents Africa. Africa once gave life to a flourishing black population and was then taken hostage by the whites. The way in which the song is sung also connects to Apartheid. Dave Mathews does an amazing job starting off the song, slow and airy tone of voice. In the beginning, the lyrics of the song describe the evacuation of the black. His tone changes as the song progresses. When the lyrics refer to the black resistance, his tone becomes more forceful and threatening. Just like the whites became more forceful whenever the blacks tried to organize and resist change. Finally in the end, when the lyrics describe the white man’s success, “Cause you're all dead now, I live with my justice, I live with my greedy need, I live with no mercy, I live with my frenzied feeding, I live with my hatred…”, Mathews uses an eerie and powerful tone, leaving the listener with the same shocking and disbelief feeling a witness of the Apartheid would feel.
This particular song tells the story of apartheid. One line that stood out to me greatly to me was "No room for both, just for me." With the apartheid the British wanted to take over African land. The British people saw the dark skinned Africans as inferior. There was no room for Africans on this new land the British was trying to take over. The British believed to be better than the Africans and no specific reason was stated as to why they deserved the African land over the natives. With Africans killed off or sent away the British had peace of mind to genuinely enjoy their new land.
The quote "I live with my justice and I live with my greedy need" represents the contradiction of how the British believed they had a right over the Africans to take over the land but recognizing their greed is what enables the corrupt British to be content with stealing land that is not theirs.
Many natives died during the apartheid. The water in this song can refer to the deaths that occurred during this time period. Do not drink the water because many people have died in that land this water surrounds.
This song by the Dave Matthews Band can be linked to apartheid because of all the meaning behind the lyrics. One line read "Come out come out, No use in hiding," which can be directly applied to the life the African Americans experienced in South Africa. The African Americans basically had no where to go, because the whites, or special branch, would always find them, no matter where they were, and hurt them. Even if they weren't directly found, others would be injured in the process.
Another line of the song that struck me was "I'll build heaven and call it home, 'Cause you're all dead now," which sadly strikes way too close to the African Americans in South Africa. So many people were killed on a daily basis, that people soon began to wonder who was actually left in their world. I'm sure those who were not yet killed dreamed of when they would be reunited with loved ones in heaven, away from the hell they were experiencing in South Africa.
"Don't Drink the Water" by Dave Matthews Band vividly depicts the Apartheid. From its lyrics to the melody, the song screams of colonial empowerment. In the lines “ Yes, I will call this home,” expresses exactly what the Whites did when they conquered Africa. Sadly the desire for power and riches led to the inhumane treatment towards the Africans. Upon hearing this song, I wondered what if gold or diamonds were not discovered? Would they have to endure such suffering or discrimination? Or would it still have been conquered regardless of its rich and profitable land? We may never know the answer. However, we do know the greed and injustice that the Whites inflicted upon Africans, which is clearly stated in the last stanza of the song, ”I'll build heaven and call it home 'Cause you're all dead now I live with my justice I live with my greedy need I live with no mercy I live with my frenzied feeding I live with my hatred I live with my jealousy I live with the notion That I don't need anyone but me” This stanza reminds me very much of Le Guin’s “The One’s Who Walked Away from Omelas,” and Omelas’ meaning of happiness. “Happiness is just discrimination” and to the White settlers this is what happiness was to them more power, more money through hatred and greed all of which constitute as justice to them.
The stanza "Away away You have been banished Your land is gone And given me And here I will spread my wings Yes I will call this home What's this you say You feel a right to remain Then stay and I will bury you What's that you say Your father's spirit still lives in this place I will silence you" stood out for me because I feel that this is a perfect display of what the British felt towards the blacks. They felt that the black has no right to stay in the land and that if they held their ground and continued to there than they will die and "be buried." The British will now call their land their home and kick the blacks out of the land. If the blacks tried to speak up for themselves they were silenced.
Also another few lines that stuck out to me were "Don't drink the water There's blood in the water". The fact that so many blacks were killed that so much blood was shed over the fact that the British wanted their land. The song really reflects apartheid through the British point of view and shows their attitude in a sense towards the black. Despite all efforts the blacks took, they would never be able to accomplish what they planned; the British would make sure they would be never heard again.
I feel as if the lyrics to the song captivate the Apartheid from the perspective of the European settlers who seized the native African lands. The song convey the message the phrase "There isn't room for the both of us," which, in an essence, was the Apartheid. The native Africans were treated like second-class citizens upon the arrival of the Europeans, and the laws established by the newcomers pushed the blacks away from what they knew as home, both literally and figuratively.
ReplyDeleteHere are some examples that I took from the lyrics that seem to highlight a connection to the Apartheid:
"There's no place here; what were you expecting? No room for both, just room for me.": This goes back to the point that I made that only one race was allowed to live comfortably. In the case of the Apartheid, it was the Europeans who lived the more comfortable life.
"So you will lay your arms down; yes, I will call this home. Away, away; you have been banished. Your land is gone and given to me, and here I will spread my wings. Yes, I will call this home.": This sounds like a potential message from the Europeans to the Africans, telling the Africans to surrender all that they have in order for the Europeans to settle in.
"What's this you say, you feel a right to remain? Then, stay and I will bury you.": This can be taken as an ultimatum from the European to the African. Many advocates of the Apartheid, whether if they were positions or authority or not, believed in doing whatever it took to instill the values of the era, even if it meant torture or death upon the Africans. This connection also applies to the line, “All I can say to you, my new neighbor, you must move on or I will bury you.”
I can breathe my own air and I can sleep more soundly upon these poor souls; I'll build Heaven and call it home ‘cause you're all dead now.”: This sums up the harsh reality of the Apartheid; lives of those who had originated from the African lands were destroyed, applying to both the living and the dead. Many people had to suffer and die under the regime of Apartheid, many of whom were innocent.
This entire song parallels the experience of Apartheid. The song describes how there is not enough room on the land for both of them, which is similar to how the blacks were pushed off their land. "All I can say to you my new neighbor, Is you must move on or I will bury you" shows how brute force was used in Apartheid. The fact that they will be buried implies death. Towards the end of the song, adjectives are used to describe the feelings and reasons for taking over the land. Words such as "greedy need" "no mercy" "hatred" and "jealousy" all show why Apartheid was fueled. "That I don't need anyone but me, Don't drink the water, There's blood in the water." The fact there there is blood in the water shows how violence was used to separate the people and to gain the desired land, but the land in tainted because of the cruelty and injustice that took place on it.
ReplyDeleteSarah Kinslow
This song connects to Apartheid because it discusses a person living with complete freedom, just as the whites wanted to completely remove the blacks from society.
ReplyDelete"I'll build heaven and call it home
'Cause you're all dead now
I live with my justice
I live with my greedy need
I live with no mercy"
The piece above from one of the stanzas can relate to the white people living in South Africa and living with their form of "justice" "greedy need" and "no mercy" as they kill the innocent black people.
The song also states "no use in hiding, come now come now... just room for me" which can relate to the whites killing the blacks. The whites are saying that there is not where that the blacks are safe, "no use in hiding." The whites also claim that there is only room for one group of people in South Africa, "just room for me."
This song relates to Apartheid because it explains how the whites took over the home of the Africans, not caring about the Africans themselves as people. The lyrics state, " Away away, you have been banished, your land is gone, and given me." Regardless of the fact that the Africans had always been an important part of South Africa, the whites made one decision that altered the lives of the Africans forever. The whites did not think about if their actions were fair or just, but they acted solely upon their wants and needs.
ReplyDeleteThe lyrics also state, "You feel a right to remain, then stay and I will bury you, what's that you say, your father's spirit still lives in this place, I will silence you." This expresses that the whites realized that the Africans had a long history in South Africa, but if they did not leave themselves, the whites would move the blacks in any way possible, even if it was hurtful. "All I can say to you my new neighbor, is you must move on or I will bury you." The lyrics also state that the only two possible choices the Africans had was to either leave their homeland, or face death.
As the words, "no mercy, jealousy, and hatred" are mentioned at the end of the song, it proves how ruthless the whites were to the Africans in South Africa, sparing no mercy. The song illustrates the constant struggle that the blacks face with the whites each day, living in South Africa.
Most of this song can be directly related to Apartheid and how the whites felt that they were superior enough to just completely take over the land and use it for themselves. One of the lines in the song really illustrates this image: "and as you go, I will spread my wings." From our perspective, the oppression of Africans is clearly wrong and immoral, but to them, it's a chance to expand and better their lives, and they are proud to do so.
ReplyDeleteThe other line in the song that caught my attention was "you must move aside or I will bury you." This ties into Apartheid quite literally, because if the Africans did not do as the white people said, they would kill them.
The song “Don’t drink the water” refers unbelievably to the Apartheid that has taken place in South Africa. Black Africans are the majority in South Africa and once controlled all the land. However, in the 20th century, white people entered the land and claimed it as their own. The white people, even though they were the minority, did not care about the Black Africans feeling and took complete control of South Africa. The part of the lyrics of the song is ” Away away/ You have been banished/Your land is gone /And given me” explains exactly what the white people thought of blacks. African Blacks were force to live in shanty town and not learn correctly as a way to for the controlling whites to make sure blacks never rise ahead. The song is what the perspective of the white people would be thinking. They showed no mercy, “live with the greedy need”, and killed anyone that got in their way of their greed, such as blacks. Lastly, the last lines of the song “Don't drink the water/There's blood in the water” refers to the death of all the blacks who were murdered by all the whites in South Africa.
ReplyDeleteThis song depicts the Apartheid exactly. It states, "No room for both, just room for me." This shows how the Africans in South Africa felt. People came in and took their land with no regard to the ones who already lived there. Another line in the song that is very descriptive of the Apartheid situation says, " All I can say to you my new neighbor, You must move on or I will bury you." The white people wanted the land so badly that they were willing to massacre these innocent people for it. This song is exactly what the white people in South African are thinking and saying. Worst is they were actually putting these beliefs and ideas into motion. Toward the end of the song, this is said, "I live with my justice And I live with my greedy need I live with no mercy And I live with my frenzied feeding I live with my hatred And I live with my jealousy I live with the notion that I don't need anyone but me." The white people exhibit complete desire to have South African be there's no matter what the cost.
ReplyDelete"Upon these poor souls, I'll build heaven and call it home, Cause you're all dead now, I live with my justice, I live with my greedy need" The end of the song symbolizes the European dream of succeeding in taking over and the Africans that spoke up are now gone. This verse is trying to explain all of the bloodshed and death through their definition of "justice" which is a word more similar to "greed". This is because the reason for Apartheid was not for "justice" but rather greedy Europeans that wanted more land to make profit. The definition of heaven for the Europeans is Africa. The Europeans would drain Africa's resources in order to build up a profit. The native Africans were forced to work in horrible conditions in order to appease European greed. Although the Europeans in Africa are aware of what is going on they continue to let it happen rather than taking a stand.
ReplyDeleteI think everything regarding this song directly connects to Apartheid. From a white man’s point of view, the lyrics describe the harshness and brutality used to run the black members of society out of Africa. This is proven when the song writer states, “No room for both, just room for me.” This was the common mentality of the whites who tried to take over the fertile land belonging to the black. For the whites, sharing was by no means an option. The human being is a greedy and selfish creature; the main idea of Apartheid was to be apart or separated. The whites wanted the blacks gone for their own benefit. “Now as I rest my feet by this fire, those hands once warmed here, I have retired them, I can breathe my own air.” In this case, the fire represents Africa. Africa once gave life to a flourishing black population and was then taken hostage by the whites.
ReplyDeleteThe way in which the song is sung also connects to Apartheid. Dave Mathews does an amazing job starting off the song, slow and airy tone of voice. In the beginning, the lyrics of the song describe the evacuation of the black. His tone changes as the song progresses. When the lyrics refer to the black resistance, his tone becomes more forceful and threatening. Just like the whites became more forceful whenever the blacks tried to organize and resist change. Finally in the end, when the lyrics describe the white man’s success, “Cause you're all dead now, I live with my justice, I live with my greedy need, I live with no mercy, I live with my frenzied feeding, I live with my hatred…”, Mathews uses an eerie and powerful tone, leaving the listener with the same shocking and disbelief feeling a witness of the Apartheid would feel.
This particular song tells the story of apartheid. One line that stood out to me greatly to me was "No room for both, just for me." With the apartheid the British wanted to take over African land. The British people saw the dark skinned Africans as inferior. There was no room for Africans on this new land the British was trying to take over. The British believed to be better than the Africans and no specific reason was stated as to why they deserved the African land over the natives. With Africans killed off or sent away the British had peace of mind to genuinely enjoy their new land.
ReplyDeleteThe quote "I live with my justice and I live with my greedy need" represents the contradiction of how the British believed they had a right over the Africans to take over the land but recognizing their greed is what enables the corrupt British to be content with stealing land that is not theirs.
Many natives died during the apartheid. The water in this song can refer to the deaths that occurred during this time period. Do not drink the water because many people have died in that land this water surrounds.
This song by the Dave Matthews Band can be linked to apartheid because of all the meaning behind the lyrics. One line read "Come out come out, No use in hiding," which can be directly applied to the life the African Americans experienced in South Africa. The African Americans basically had no where to go, because the whites, or special branch, would always find them, no matter where they were, and hurt them. Even if they weren't directly found, others would be injured in the process.
ReplyDeleteAnother line of the song that struck me was
"I'll build heaven and call it home,
'Cause you're all dead now," which sadly strikes way too close to the African Americans in South Africa. So many people were killed on a daily basis, that people soon began to wonder who was actually left in their world. I'm sure those who were not yet killed dreamed of when they would be reunited with loved ones in heaven, away from the hell they were experiencing in South Africa.
"Don't Drink the Water" by Dave Matthews Band vividly depicts the Apartheid. From its lyrics to the melody, the song screams of colonial empowerment. In the lines “ Yes, I will call this home,” expresses exactly what the Whites did when they conquered Africa. Sadly the desire for power and riches led to the inhumane treatment towards the Africans. Upon hearing this song, I wondered what if gold or diamonds were not discovered? Would they have to endure such suffering or discrimination? Or would it still have been conquered regardless of its rich and profitable land? We may never know the answer. However, we do know the greed and injustice that the Whites inflicted upon Africans, which is clearly stated in the last stanza of the song,
ReplyDelete”I'll build heaven and call it home
'Cause you're all dead now
I live with my justice
I live with my greedy need
I live with no mercy
I live with my frenzied feeding
I live with my hatred
I live with my jealousy
I live with the notion
That I don't need anyone but me”
This stanza reminds me very much of Le Guin’s “The One’s Who Walked Away from Omelas,” and Omelas’ meaning of happiness. “Happiness is just discrimination” and to the White settlers this is what happiness was to them more power, more money through hatred and greed all of which constitute as justice to them.
The stanza
ReplyDelete"Away away
You have been banished
Your land is gone
And given me
And here I will spread my wings
Yes I will call this home
What's this you say
You feel a right to remain
Then stay and I will bury you
What's that you say
Your father's spirit still lives in this place
I will silence you"
stood out for me because I feel that this is a perfect display of what the British felt towards the blacks. They felt that the black has no right to stay in the land and that if they held their ground and continued to there than they will die and "be buried." The British will now call their land their home and kick the blacks out of the land. If the blacks tried to speak up for themselves they were silenced.
Also another few lines that stuck out to me were
"Don't drink the water
There's blood in the water".
The fact that so many blacks were killed that so much blood was shed over the fact that the British wanted their land. The song really reflects apartheid through the British point of view and shows their attitude in a sense towards the black. Despite all efforts the blacks took, they would never be able to accomplish what they planned; the British would make sure they would be never heard again.