# data[].attributes.body
Blackbird

Performed by The Beatles

Blackbird singing in the dead of night,
Take these broken wings and learn to fly.
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night,
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see.
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free.

# data[].attributes.body
I chose the song 'More Love' by Rebelution. I love this song because it talks about society believing money is the key to happiness and success. This song influences individuals to focus on relationships instead of material things.

Because you’re living an illusion
I can’t wait till it hits ya
Recollection, your misconception
Obsessed, you say the green is success
Well material gain causes serious stress
More love
Because you’re living an illusion
Wake up now yes you’re living in confusion
You’re not a scholar
You’re a waste of a teacher
Preach the dollars
You’re a waste of a preacher

Love
Come on, that’s what we need
More love
That’s what we need to succeed
Not dollars
Nah, not what we need
Let’s give em love so the youth can achieve

Yep you gotta see clearer
Clear on up, stay up, and stay clear of
Go back to basics, look in the mirror
You’re in a dream wake up and now gear up
Come on
Love, continually loving that’s realer
Make up your mind and emerge as a leader
Now it connects, many many all feed off
Rise up above, cuz the youths they feed off love

# data[].attributes.body
Jay Z: Heart of the City (Aint No Love)

Uh, uh, listen
First the Fat Boys break up, now every day I wake up
Somebody got a problem with Hov'
What's up you all niggas all fed up 'cause I got a little cheddar
and my records moving out the store?
Young fucks spitting at me, young rappers getting at me
My nigga Big predicted the shit exactly
"More money, more problems" - gotta move carefully
'cause faggots hate when you getting money like athletes
Yung'uns ice-grilling me, oh - you're not feeling me?
Fine; it cost you nothing - pay me no mind
Look, I'm on my grind cousin, ain't got time for fronting
Sensitive thugs, you all need hugs
Damn though mans I'm just trying do me
If the record's two mill I'm just trying move three
Get a couple of chicks, get 'em to try to do E
Hopefully they'll menage before I reach my garage
I don't want much, fuck I drove every car
Some nice cooked food, some nice clean drawers
Bird-ass niggas I don't mean to ruffle you all
I know you're waiting in the wing but I'm doing my thing
Where's the love?

"Ain't no love, in the heart of the city.."
I said where's the love?
"Ain't no love, in the heart of town.."
Yeah..

And then the Fugee's gonna break up, now everyday I wake up
Somebody got something to say
What's all the fucking fussing for? Because I'm grubbing more
and I pack heat like I'm the oven door?
Niggas pray and pray on my downfall
But everytime I hit the ground I bounce up like roundball
Now I don't wanna have to kill southpaw
Don't wanna have to cock back the four pound bar
Look scrapper I got nephews to look after
I'm not looking at you dudes, I'm looking past you
I thought I told you characters I'm not a rapper
Can I live? I told you in ninety-six
that I came to take this shit and I did, handle my biz
I scramble like Randall with his
Cunningham but the only thing running is numbers fam
Jigga held you down six summers; damn, where's the love?

"Ain't no love, in the heart of the city.."
Niggas, where's the love?
"Ain't no love, in the heart of town.."
Holla at me!!
"Ain't no love" (take 'em to church) "in the heart of the city.."
Uh, uh, uh - my nigga where's the love?
"Ain't no love, in the heart of town.."
Fuck

Then Richard Pryor go and burn up, and Ike and Tina Turner break up
Then I wake up to more bullshit
You knew me before records, you never disrespected me
Now that I'm successful you'll pull this shit
Nigga I'll step on your porch, step to your boss
Let's end the speculation, I'm talking to all you
Males shouldn't be jealous that's a female trait
Watch you mad 'cause you push dimes and he sell weight?
You all don't know my expenses, I gotta buy a bigger place
Hehehe, and more baggies, why you all aggie?
Nigga respect the game, that should be it
What you eat don't make me shit - where's the love?

Where's the love?

"Ain't no love, in the heart of the city.."
"Ain't no love, in the heart of town.."
"Ain't no love, in the heart of the city.."
"Ain't no love, in the heart of town.."
"Ain't no love, in the heart of the city.."
"Ain't no love, in the heart of town.."

"Ain't no love.."

# data[].attributes.body
This song was written by the band Mána, lamenting the death of Chico Mendes. Chico Mendes was an activist for Brazil against the destruction of the Amazon Rainforest. Companies were using the resources in order to make gain, leaving tribes in the Brazilian rainforest without resources. After he was murdered, the community knew this would inevitably lead to poverty starting again if no one was there to defend them. Here are the lyrics translated:

They killed Chico Méndez.

He was a defender and an angel

of all the Amazon.

He died in cold blood,

and Collor de Mello and the police knew it.

When the angels cry

rain falls on the village,

rain falls on the bell tower.

Someone died.

an angel fell,

an angel died,

an angel went away

and won’t return.

When the assassin fled

and Chico Méndez died,

the jungle drowned in weeping.

He left two beautiful children,

a courageous wife,

and a jungle in agony.

When the angels cry

it is for each tree that dies,

each star that burns out.

An angel fell,

an angel died,

an angel went away

and won’t return.

An angel fell,

an angel died,

an angel went away,

went flying away in the daybreak.

When the angels cry,

when the angels cry,

it will rain.

When the angels cry,

when the angels cry,

it will rain.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Mana  - Cuando Los Angeles Lloran Audio Oficial

# data[].attributes.body
I have chosen to post lyrics of the song Yesterday Was Hard On All Of Us by Fink. This is one of my favorite songs, and although it is a sad song, it always seems to remind me, no matter what I'm going through, that what I feel is validated and justified.

Where do we go from here?
Where do we go?
And is it real or just
Something we think we know?

Where are we going now?
Where do we go?
Cause if it's the same as yesterday
You know I'm out, just so you know

Because, because
Our paths, they cross
Yesterday was hard
On all of us
On all of us

Who can we trust from here?
Who can we trust?
And are you real, or just
Something from wanderlust?

Who can you trust my dear sweet flower?
Who can you trust?
From cradle to grave, from ashes to ashes
From dust to dust

Because, because
Our paths, they cross
Yesterday was hard
On all of us
On all of us

Where do we go from here?
Where do we go?
And we got nothing we can trust
And nothing we can't sell, that's for sure

And how do we get out?
How do we move around with all these eyes on us?
Tell you what, you go first
It's almost like it's kind of rehearsed

Because, because
Our paths, they cross
Yesterday was hard
On all of us
On all of us

# data[].attributes.body
I've chosen to post lyrics to "Fix You" by Coldplay. It reminds me of those we have learned about in the verious poverty videos we've watched this term because like the families, the song is about stress and downfalls while still holding on to hope.

When you try your best but you don't succeed
When you get what you want but not what you need
When you feel so tired but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse

When the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

High up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
If you never try you'll never know
Just what you're worth

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

Tears stream down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down your face
And I

Tears stream down your face
I promise you I will learn from all my mistakes
Tears stream down your face
And I

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

# data[].attributes.body
Get Up, Stand Up - Bob Marley & The Wailers

Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: don't give up the fight!

Preacherman, don't tell me,
Heaven is under the earth.
I know you don't know
What life is really worth.
It's not all that glitters is gold;
'Alf the story has never been told:
So now you see the light, eh!
Stand up for your rights. Come on!

Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: don't give up the fight!
Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up: don't give up the fight!

Most people think,
Great God will come from the skies,
Take away everything
And make everybody feel high.
But if you know what life is worth,
You will look for yours on earth:
And now you see the light,
You stand up for your rights. Jah!

Get up, stand up! (Jah, Jah!)
Stand up for your rights! (Oh-hoo!)
Get up, stand up! (Get up, stand up!)
Don't give up the fight! (Life is your right!)
Get up, stand up! (So we can't give up the fight!)
Stand up for your rights! (Lord, Lord!)
Get up, stand up! (Keep on struggling on!)
Don't give up the fight! (Yeah!)

We sick an' tired of-a your ism-skism game -
Dyin' 'n' goin' to heaven in-a Jesus' name, Lord.
We know when we understand:
Almighty God is a living man.
You can fool some people sometimes,
But you can't fool all the people all the time.
So now we see the light (What you gonna do?),
We gonna stand up for our rights! (Yeah, yeah, yeah!)

So you better:
Get up, stand up! (In the morning! Git it up!)
Stand up for your rights! (Stand up for our rights!)
Get up, stand up!
Don't give up the fight! (Don't give it up, don't give it up!)
Get up, stand up! (Get up, stand up!)
Stand up for your rights! (Get up, stand up!)
Get up, stand up! ( ... )
Don't give up the fight! (Get up, stand up!)
Get up, stand up! ( ... )
Stand up for your rights!
Get up, stand up!
Don't give up the fight! [fadeout]

# data[].attributes.body
The Curse Of Poverty - Poem by ramesh rai

Autoplay next poem

Poverty
Poverty is a curse for human society
Poverty prevails there where the injustice is
Poverty exclaims there where the illiteracy is
Poverty is purely man made
So it has to be eradicated from its root
The society afflicted with poverty
Is reprehension of entire human society
Corruption is the source of poverty
Only a fearless society can be said
Free from all poverty
Where the people are dumb and discounted
Poverty exists there
Poverty shows, how many immature person
Rule the country
Poverty is the reason for all philosophical end.

# data[].attributes.body
Here is a song I wrote many years ago when going through a time of spiritual poverty.

Shine on me

When I walk upon your shore,
Will you come to greet me?
Where I fall, there you’ll stand,
And I’m brought to my knees again.

Shine on me,
Lord, shine on me.
Help me find my way back home.
Shine on me, Lord shine on me,
With you, I’ll never be walking alone.

When I walk upon your shore,
Will you come to greet me?
Where I fall, there you’ll stand,
And I’m brought to myself again.

Shine on me,
Lord, shine on me.
Help me find my way back home.
Shine on me, Lord shine on me,
With you, I’ll never be walking alone.
With you I’m ever on my way home.
With you I’m never walking alone.

# data[].attributes.body
Fly - Maddie & Tae
Baby blue staring in the window pane
Just counting drops of rain
Wondering if she's got the guts to take it
Running down her dreams in a dirty dress,
Now her heart's a mess
Praying she'll find a way to make it

So keep on climbing, though the ground might shake
Just keep on reaching though the limb might break
We've come this far, don't you be scared now
'Cause you can learn to fly on the way down

Searching for a sign in the night even like a lonely string of lights
That'll burn just long enough for you to see it
The road's been long and lonely and you feel like giving up
There’s more to this than just the breath you're breathing

So keep on climbing, though the ground might shake
Just keep on reaching though the limb might break
We’ve come this far, don't you be scared now
'Cause you can learn to fly on the way down

On the way down

You won't forget the heavy steps it took to let it go
Close your eyes, count to ten, hold your breath and fly

Keep on climbing, though the ground might shake
Just keep on reaching though the limb might break
We've come this far, don’t you be scared now
'Cause you can learn to fly on the way down

Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Fly
Fly

# data[].attributes.body
Education is the liberator from poverty
by: Ndzalama Tshabalala

Education you 're the champion of the poor
You're a roof under which people who love you shelter
You open the eyes of the ignorant, so that their ignorance is no more
You're a pot of those who loves to cook their brains into perfection
So that their brains can be perfected to think like you
So that they can learn to negotiate the hazards of life and fend for themselves

Education, you provide shelter, clothes and transport to those who worship you
You are the king of those who adores you

Education, you are the conqueror
You've conquered poverty
Poverty says brother to you
You sent poverty to an early rotten grave
Poverty has gone to an early grave because of you
Run poverty run!
Your brother education is here!

Darkness and light do not share cigarette
As success and poverty
Education, no one is like you
Indeed you're  the Kilimanjaro Mountain
You're like an elephant

You're a well of wisdom and success
Those who worship you will walk tall and proud of their success

# data[].attributes.body
Inner City Blues

By Marvin Gay

Rockets, moon shots
Spend it on the have-nots
Money, we make it
Fore we see it, you'll take it

Oh, make you wanna holler
The way they do my life
Make me wanna holler
The way they do my life

This ain't livin' this ain't livin'
No, no baby, this ain't livin'
No, no, no, no

Inflation, no chance
To increase finance
Bills pile up, sky high
Send that boy off to die

Oh, make me wanna holler
The way they do my life
Make me wanna holler
The way they do my life, oh baby

Hang ups, let downs
Bad breaks, set backs
Natural fact is
Honey, that I can't pay my taxes

Oh, make me wanna holler
And throw up both my hands
Yea, it makes me wanna holler
And throw up both my hands

Crime is increasing
Trigger happy policing
Panic is spreading
God knows where, where we're heading

Oh, they don't understand
Make me wanna holler
They don't understand

God bless you
And Lord keep you
And may you live, live, live a good life

God bless you
Lord keep you
And may you live, live, live a long long sweet life
Don't let the things get you down
Hold you hands, baby, walk around

Say God bless you
And I'll keep you
I'm praying a prayer for each and everyone of you
Heaven bless you
Heaven keep you

# data[].attributes.body
Michael Jackson Lyrics
"Man In The Mirror"

I'm Gonna Make A Change,

For Once In My Life

It's Gonna Feel Real Good,

Gonna Make A Difference

Gonna Make It Right . . .

As I, Turn Up The Collar On My

Favourite Winter Coat

This Wind Is Blowin' My Mind

I See The Kids In The Street,

With Not Enough To Eat

Who Am I, To Be Blind?

Pretending Not To See

Their Needs

A Summer's Disregard,

A Broken Bottle Top

And A One Man's Soul

They Follow Each Other On

The Wind Ya' Know

'Cause They Got Nowhere

To Go

That's Why I Want You To

Know

I'm Starting With The Man In

The Mirror

I'm Asking Him To Change

His Ways

And No Message Could Have

Been Any Clearer

If You Wanna Make The World

A Better Place

(If You Wanna Make The

World A Better Place)

Take A Look At Yourself, And

Then Make A Change

(Take A Look At Yourself, And

Then Make A Change)

(Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na,

Na Nah)

I've Been A Victim Of A Selfish

Kind Of Love

It's Time That I Realize

That There Are Some With No

Home, Not A Nickel To Loan

Could It Be Really Me,

Pretending That They're Not

Alone?

A Widow Deeply Scarred,

Somebody's Broken Heart

And A Washed-Out Dream

(Washed-Out Dream)

They Follow The Pattern Of

The Wind, Ya' See

Cause They Got No Place

To Be

That's Why I'm Starting With

Me

(Starting With Me!)

I'm Starting With The Man In

The Mirror

(Ooh!)

I'm Asking Him To Change

His Ways

(Ooh!)

And No Message Could Have

Been Any Clearer

If You Wanna Make The World

A Better Place

(If You Wanna Make The

World A Better Place)

Take A Look At Yourself And

Then Make A Change

(Take A Look At Yourself And

Then Make A Change)

I'm Starting With The Man In

The Mirror

(Ooh!)

I'm Asking Him To Change His

Ways

(Change His Ways-Ooh!)

And No Message Could've

Been Any Clearer

If You Wanna Make The World

A Better Place

(If You Wanna Make The

World A Better Place)

Take A Look At Yourself And

Then Make That . . .

(Take A Look At Yourself And

Then Make That . . .)

Change!

I'm Starting With The Man In

The Mirror,

(Man In The Mirror-Oh

Yeah!)

I'm Asking Him To Change

His Ways

(Better Change!)

No Message Could Have

Been Any Clearer

(If You Wanna Make The

World A Better Place)

(Take A Look At Yourself And

Then Make The Change)

(You Gotta Get It Right, While

You Got The Time)

('Cause When You Close Your

Heart)

You Can't Close Your . . .Your

Mind!

(Then You Close Your . . .

Mind!)

That Man, That Man, That

Man, That Man

With That Man In The Mirror

(Man In The Mirror, Oh Yeah!)

That Man, That Man, That Man

I'm Asking Him To Change

His Ways

(Better Change!)

You Know . . .That Man

No Message Could Have

Been Any Clearer

If You Wanna Make The World

A Better Place

(If You Wanna Make The

World A Better Place)

Take A Look At Yourself And

Then Make A Change

(Take A Look At Yourself And

Then Make A Change)

Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!

Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na,

Na Nah

(Oh Yeah!)

Gonna Feel Real Good Now!

Yeah Yeah! Yeah Yeah!

Yeah Yeah!

Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na,

Na Nah

(Ooooh . . .)

Oh No, No No . . .

I'm Gonna Make A Change

It's Gonna Feel Real Good!

Come On!

(Change . . .)

Just Lift Yourself

You Know

You've Got To Stop It.

Yourself!

(Yeah!-Make That Change!)

I've Got To Make That Change,

Today!

Hoo!

(Man In The Mirror)

You Got To

You Got To Not Let Yourself . .

Brother . . .

Hoo!

(Yeah!-Make That Change!)

You Know-I've Got To Get

That Man, That Man . . .

(Man In The Mirror)

You've Got To

You've Got To Move! Come

On! Come On!

You Got To . . .

Stand Up! Stand Up!

Stand Up!

(Yeah-Make That Change)

Stand Up And Lift

Yourself, Now!

(Man In The Mirror)

Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!

Aaow!

(Yeah-Make That Change)

Gonna Make That Change . . .

Come On!

(Man In The Mirror)

You Know It!

You Know It!

You Know It!

You Know . . .

(Change . . .)

Make That Change.

# data[].attributes.body
Julie Marshall

Poverty

By Jane Taylor

I saw an old cottage of clay,

And only of mud was the floor;

It was all falling into decay,

And the snow drifted in at the door.

Yet there a poor family dwelt,

In a hovel so dismal and rude;

And though gnawing hunger they felt,

They had not a morsel of food.

The children were crying for bread,

And to their poor mother they’d run;

‘Oh, give us some breakfast,’ they said,

Alas! their poor mother had none.

She viewed them with looks of despair,

She said (and I’m sure it was true),

‘’Tis not for myself that I care,

But, my poor little children, for you.’

O then, let the wealthy and gay

But see such a hovel as this,

That in a poor cottage of clay

They may know what true misery is.

And what I may have to bestow

I never will squander away,

While many poor people I know

Around me are wretched as they.

# data[].attributes.body
Songwriters: John Lennon / Paul Mccartney

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these sunken eyes and learn to see
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to be free.

Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.

Blackbird fly, blackbird fly
Into the light of the dark black night.

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise
You were only waiting for this moment to arise

# data[].attributes.body
"American Dream Plan B"
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

I’m gonna make my way through this world someday
I don’t care what nobody say
American dream, political scheme
I’m gonna find out for myself someday
But I’m half-lit, I can’t dance for s*&t
But I see what I want, I go after it
And my girl’s alright, treats me nice
Sayin’ nothin’ but a woman puts out that light

I got a dream I’m gonna fight til I get it
I got a dream I’m gonna fight til I get it right
Til I get it right

Oh well, my baby no doubt dreams further out
Makin’ moves to get us someway someday
Well my honey don’t trip, shoots from the hip
Tell me everything gonna be OK

Well, my mama so sad
Daddy’s just mad
‘Cause I ain't gonna have the chance he had
My success is anybody’s guess
But like a fool, I’m bettin’ on happiness

# data[].attributes.body
By unkown

Emaciated bones
Shivering in shrunken clothes.

Wrinkled faces, tired eyes
Watching the sun is their only prize.

Tears burn their cut up skin
Work injuries up their shins.
They cannot speak for they weep for their farmlands
They are so used to work, even with their old hands.

They are dying, dying like flies
Because they are poor and these are their lives.

# data[].attributes.body
BY MARINELA
Their smiles: sincere like angles
Their hearts: scarred forever more
Was this their fate, or our greed?
A question asked, but we ignore
Born into tragedy, they can’t escape
No opportunities for them to try
Suffering, hurting more everyday
But we sit back and let it go by
Shattered homes; desperate for shelter
Poor conditions, its help they need
They want to be healthy and joyful
They want a better life to lead
Time is a fragile element for them
It can smash completely unplanned
You can help them, we all can!
Their future lies in your hand

# data[].attributes.body
Privileged Latina (Pt. 1)

by Kim Bjanes

I am a privileged Latina.
This is hard for me to say.

Somehow, it makes me feel less Latina.

However, I learned I could use my privilege for mi raza,
mi voz, pa' mi raza,
mi vida, pa' mi raza.
This is what being Latina is about.

Our struggles are many;
our struggles are different.
I got your back, and
you got mine.
Above all, we got each other.

When I'm with my people, mi gente, there's an overwhelming sense of belonging I don't find anywhere else. There's a tight, unbreakable bond held together by the Aztec, Mayan, Incan, and ancestral blood running through our veins.

Yet, we all look different and because of this, we are treated differently.

There is so much that goes into privilege. One of the tools I've found helpful is the ADDRESSING model. It's a bit too simple-- too binary. Therefore, it feels restrictive and insufficient in some ways. With this in mind, it still serves as a helpful privilege checking tool.

This model identifies areas in which one has privilege/agency/power and areas in which one is a target/minority/underprivileged. Within the parentheses, I will put the populations which hold privilege in each category.

The categories include:
Age (young, middle aged adults)
Developmental disability (nondisabled)
Disability-Acquired/Other (nondisabled)
Religion (Christian and secular)
Ethnic and racial identity (European Americans)
Socioeconomic status (Upper & middle class)
Sexual orientation (Heterosexual)
Indigenous heritage (European Americans)
National Origin (U.S. born Americans)
Gender (Male)
Hays, P.A. (2008). Addressing cultural complexities in practice: Assessment, diagnosis, and therapy. Washington DC: APA.

I am a young, abled-body, Christian U.S. citizen in a heterosexual marriage. I am privileged in these areas. This empowers me and allows me to see my agency. I have influence in these areas. I can talk to my fellow millenials. I can engage in conversation with my fellow Christian people. I can use my privileges and rights as a citizen to stand up for my friends and family who don't.

What this model doesn't address is color. As a lighter skinned Latina, I get treated differently than friends and family with darker skin and more indigenous features. There is a sense of superiority lighter skinned people of color are given-- this is called colorism. It's roots, of course, are deep set in colonialism. This is prevalent in communities of color. Those with more European features are considered prettier and more handsome-- they are the ones seen in the Latinx movies, novelas, music industry. The darker Latinx are seen as maids, campesinos, and those serving the lighter skinned Latinx. We are perpetuating the toxic cycle of oppression and bias to our own people, la raza.

Many times, I feel ashamed of having lighter-skin. I want darker, sun-kissed skin.  However, I need to own and acknowledge the privileges of having lighter skin. In my family, I am the darkest one. My lighter-skinned sisters, "las gueritas" were always admired for their fair skin and their more European features. I can imagine this is what my darker skinned friends and family feel too. Colorism makes you feel inferior simply for having more melanin, glowing a little deeper.

Whether your melanin as white as la luz de la luna or deep as the midnight sky, you are glorious. Together, we make a galaxy.

I have committed myself to celebrate todos los colores de nuestra gente as well as owning my privilege as a lighter skinned Latinx.

This is the power and beauty of privilege. A lot of time I felt guilty for being privileged. I didn't want to be more privileged than my friends and family. I hated having more opportunities because of my citizenship and education. I felt selfish and helpless. However, by recognizing and embracing the privileges I do have, I move out of helplessness and into becoming an advocate, activist, and agent of empowerment. I'm using my privilege to raise awareness, sharing my resources, and telling my Latinx hermanxs: Si se puede!!!

Juntos podemos.

There is power in owning my privilege and being productive with it.

To be continued...

# data[].attributes.body
"If There's a God in Heaven" by Elton John

Torn from their families
Mothers go hungry
To feed their children
But children go hungry
There's so many big men
They're out making millions
When poverty's profits
Just blame the children

If there's a God in heaven
What's he waiting for
If He can't hear the children
Then he must see the war
But it seems to me
That he leads his lambs
To the slaughter house
And not the promised land

Dying for causes
They don't understand
We've been taking their futures
Right out of their hands
They need the handouts
To hold back the tears
There's so many crying
But so few that hear

If there's a God in heaven
Well, what's he waiting for

If there's a God in heaven
What's he waiting for

# data[].attributes.body
"Deep in the Stillness"
~By Amrita Bharati (translated by Lucy Rosenstein)

He threw me away
like a clod of earth.
He didn't know
I was a thing with a soul.
He didn't know
I was alive.

He kept on throwing me
like a clod of earth
out of his way -
onto that neglected path
that happened to be mine.
And so I kept travelling
along my own way.
Each time some fragment broke off -
some infatuation, some addiction to happiness,
some earthly hope,
some dream squandered on man.
Each time some fragment of my being
would break off.
And now it was my turn.
The world was already left behind -
like a desert in a sandstorm,
like an ocean in a hurricane,
like a desolate city.
Man, step by step descending,
was already left behind.
And now it was my turn.
Standing on the last patch of earth
I gathered myself into a whole thing
and hurled myself into the stillness.
This was my silence -
pervasive and expansive.
Now the world was either a dream
or a sea-flower
imagined at the end of the ocean.
Deep in the stillness.
Only the sound of my footsteps.

The following link gives a great interpretation about how Amrita described her experience of men viewing her as worthless and her efforts to express her journey to self recovery.
http://movementsofthought.weebly.com/chhayavaad.html

This relates to this week's material in that the cultural idea of low worth of women is contributing to the poverty of society. As the video "Girl Rising" demonstrates, empowering women is a great step toward lifting societies from poverty.

# data[].attributes.body
She wakes up early every morning
Just to do her hair now
Because she cares
Yeah

Her day
Oh
Wouldn't be right
Without her make-up
She's never without her make-up

She's just like you and me
But she's homeless
She's homeless
As she stands there singing for money

La da dee la dee da
La da dee la dee da
La da dee la dee da

La da dee la dee da
La da dee la dee da
La da dee la dee da

In my sleep
I see her begging
Preaching
Please
Although her body is not mine
I ask now why?
God why?

She's just like you and me
But she's homeless
She's homeless
As she stands there singing for money

# data[].attributes.body
Asimbonanga: This song is not put to sheet music, only learned by listening to it sung by others. It was an important song during apartheid in South Africa after Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for life. It was then rewritten after this death to commemorate him.

Asimbonanga
Asimbonang' uMandela thina
Laph'ekhona
Laph'ehleli khona

Hey wena
Hey wena nawe
Siyofika nini la' siyakhona

Translation:
We have not seen him
We have not seen Mandela
In the place where he is
In the place where he is kept

Hey you!
Hey you and you as well
When will we arrive at our destination

# data[].attributes.body
"Fight Song" by Rachel Platten (I love this song, and I cry a little every time I sing the chorus because I think of specific kids that I hope get the message of it)

Like a small boat
On the ocean
Sending big waves
Into motion
Like how a single word
Can make a heart open
I might only have one match
But I can make an explosion

And all those things I didn't say
Wrecking balls inside my brain
I will scream them loud tonight
Can you hear my voice this time?

This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I'm alright song
My power's turned on
Starting right now I'll be strong
I'll play my fight song
And I don't really care if nobody else believes
'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me

Losing friends and I'm chasing sleep
Everybody's worried about me
In too deep
Say I'm in too deep (in too deep)
And it's been two years I miss my home
But there's a fire burning in my bones
Still believe
Yeah, I still believe

And all those things I didn't say
Wrecking balls inside my brain
I will scream them loud tonight
Can you hear my voice this time?

This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I'm alright song
My power's turned on
Starting right now I'll be strong
I'll play my fight song
And I don't really care if nobody else believes
'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me

A lot of fight left in me

Like a small boat
On the ocean
Sending big waves
Into motion
Like how a single word
Can make a heart open
I might only have one match
But I can make an explosion

This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I'm alright song
My power's turned on
Starting right now I'll be strong (I'll be strong)
I'll play my fight song
And I don't really care if nobody else believes
'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me

Know I've still got a lot of fight left in me

# data[].attributes.body
MzVee - END POVERTY

Can we not see,

Have we not been told

How poverty’s taking the souls

Of our children

(Mikataa mewo deka)

We say that in time

We taking control

But some of these problems

just won’t go

We have to heal them ooo

Chorus:

We only cry

(Hoping that tomorrow comes)

Cry

(Fighting so tomorrow comes)

So we cry

(Hoping that tomorrow comes)

We only cry

(Fighting so tomorrow comes)

Is it corruption?

Is it the crime?

Is the education enough

in our time?

We must put an end to poverty

(Mikataa mewo deka)

Fault of the parent?

Fault of the child?

Is it the government

or yours and mine?

Who do we blame for

this poverty?

CHORUS

We need to put an end

to extreme poverty

let us empower our people

so they can tend for themselves

let us educate our people

so they can teach themselves

let us enrich our people

so they can feed themselves

let us bridge the extreme gap

between the rich and the poor

let us put an end to the

suffering let us end the wars

let us challenge our leaders

to fight corruption

let us challenge ourselves

to be the solution

https://youtu.be/m71xDDPnpRg

# data[].attributes.body
Carry the Fire by Dustin Kensrue.

And all we have are rags and bones
Just hold my hand and don't let go
Cause though the night is cold
We'll carry the fire
And though there's no way home
We'll carry the fire

When the husks of men haunt the road
Just hold your breath and hold fast hope
Cause though the night is cold
We'll carry the fire
And though there's no way home
We'll carry the fire

We'll carry the fire
The shadows hang like shrouds of flayed
A light is shining
No woolen fades no walking dead
Shall quench it's flame
And shudder tomes and shaking starts
A light is shining
The barren wounds, the broken hearts
Shall know it's name

And though the night is cold
We'll carry the fire
And though there's no way home
We'll carry the fire

And though the night is cold
We'll carry the fire
And though there's no way home
We'll carry the fire

And when my body's cold
You'll carry the fire
And when I'm finally home
You'll carry the fire.

# data[].attributes.body
Another Day In Paradise by Phil Collins

She calls out to the man on the street
'Sir, can you help me?
It's cold and I've nowhere to sleep,
Is there somewhere you can tell me?'

He walks on, doesn't look back
He pretends he can't hear her
Starts to whistle as he crosses the street
Seems embarrassed to be there

Oh think twice, it's another day for you and me in paradise
Oh think twice, 'cause it's just another day for you,
You and me in paradise, think about it

She calls out to the man on the street
He can see she's been crying
She's got blisters on the soles of her feet
She can't walk but she's trying

Oh think twice, 'cause it's another day for you and me in paradise
Oh think twice, it's just another day for you,
You and me in paradise, think about it

Oh Lord, is there nothing more anybody can do
Oh Lord, there must be something you can say

You can tell from the lines on her face
You can see that she's been there
Probably been moved on from every place
Cause she didn't fit in there

Oh think twice, 'cause another day for you and me in paradise
Oh think twice, it's just another day for you,
You and me in paradise, just think about it, think about it

It's just another day for you and me in paradise
It's just another day for you and me in paradise, paradise
It's just another day for you and me in paradise
It's just another day for you and me in paradise, paradise
It's just another day for you and me
It's just another day for you and me
It's just another day for you and me in paradise
In paradise

# data[].attributes.body
"Talkin' Bout A Revolution" by Tracy Chapman

Don't you know
They're talkin' 'bout a revolution
It sounds like a whisper
Don't you know
They're talkin' about a revolution
It sounds like a whisper

While they're standing in the welfare lines
Crying at the doorsteps of those armies of salvation
Wasting time in the unemployment lines
Sitting around waiting for a promotion

Don't you know
Talkin' 'bout a revolution
It sounds like a whisper
Poor people gonna rise up
And get their share
Poor people gonna rise up
And take what's theirs

Don't you know
You better run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run
Oh I said you better
Run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run

'Cause finally the tables are starting to turn
Talkin' bout a revolution
Yes, finally the tables are starting to turn
Talkin' bout a revolution, oh no
Talkin' bout a revolution, oh

While they're standing in the welfare lines
Crying at the doorsteps of those armies of salvation
Wasting time in the unemployment lines
Sitting around waiting for a promotion

# data[].attributes.body
The Curse Of Poverty - Poem by ramesh rai
Poverty
Poverty is a curse for human society
Poverty prevails there where the injustice is
Poverty exclaims there where the illiteracy is
Poverty is purely man made
So it has to be eradicated from its root
The society afflicted with poverty
Is reprehension of entire human society
Corruption is the source of poverty
Only a fearless society can be said
Free from all poverty
Where the people are dumb and discounted
Poverty exists there
Poverty shows, how many immature person
Rule the country
Poverty is the reason for all philosophical end.

# data[].attributes.body
THE POVERTY SONG - Wilbur Sargunaraj

I'm going to take you into a world that we're scared of
To visit our friends you say they're so unclean.
You can keep living in your world and deny them
This is not the right way you'll see what I mean

Don't live for money, Its not worth the fight
Share what you have and lets distribute it right
Learn to be simple so we all can simply live
Don't turn away from others and make sure you always give.
PA PA PA PA PA PA PA POVERTY
Affecting people just like you and me!

Do you know what neoliberal policies can do
Supporting corporations but not me and you
Why not join our hands and our voices today?
Make the world so happy there is another way

Don't live for money, Its not worth the fight
Share what you have and lets distribute it right
Learn to be simple so we all can simply live
Don't turn away from others and make sure you always give.
PA PA PA PA PA PA PA POVERTY
Affecting people just like you and me!

This is my plea! Stop Shopping spree! end poverty!
For the music video go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZZU8vmOu_s

# data[].attributes.body
Fancy by Reba McEntire
(Released in 1989)

I remember it all very well lookin' back
It was the summer I turned eighteen
We lived in a one room, rundown shack
On the outskirts of New Orleans
We didn't have money for food or rent
To say the least we were hard-pressed

Then I saw the tears wellin' up in her troubled eyes
When she started to speak
She looked at a pitiful shack
And then she looked at me and took a ragged breath
She said your Pa's run off and I'm real sick
And the baby's gonna starve to death

She handed me a heart shaped locket that said
"To thine own self be true"

Well, that was the last time I saw my Ma
The night I left that rickety shack
The welfare people came and took the baby
Mama died and I ain't been back

But the wheels of fate had started to turn

Though I don't know when or how
I couldn't see spending the rest of my life
With my head hung down in shame you know
I might have been born just plain white trash
But Fancy was my name

Now in this world there's a lot of self-righteous hypocrite
That would call me bad
And criticize Mama for turning me out
No matter how little we had