For some reason I wake up every day expecting to see positive changes in the world only to be disappointed. As a child, my parents would always say to me, "When you become a man, the world will be a much better place where everyone will be equal." Parents must have a difficult time struggling to keep hope alive in their young children. I believed it for a very long time until reality slapped me in the face.
When I look at the world, the real world that exists, it feels like I am watching a horrible reality horror show where you bid on how terrible things will become today, tomorrow, and next year. I continue to ask myself so many questions about why people are so horrible to each other and find myself in a state of confusion. People that call themselves Christians often show the most hatred toward other cultures, all in the name of God. Even ministers preach hatred to their congregations. What book are they actually quoting from? What would the world be like if we followed the rule Do unto others as you would have done unto you? Year after year, so many of the same things that happened centuries ago keep repeating themselves like a horrible 78 RPM vinyl record that just won't stop playing over and over again.
Over fifty years ago, in 1970, Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today) was released by the musical group, The Temptations on the Motown label. Being young and naive at the time, I thought it was cool music that my older brother and sister would sing and pretend to perform for me. Today, I decided to look for the lyrics and realised that the ink is still wet as if it was written this morning. Everything the song talked about is still happening today such as high unemployment, homelessness, police brutality & killings, housing discrimination, racism, lack of healthcare for certain communities, corruption, greed, and dishonesty in governments. Becoming older and wiser has opened my mind to the reality of truth. Being able to see clearly through so much bullshit has helped me to be more grounded and secure in my world. I realise that I can't change the world or those in my community, but I can spend time changing myself to be a better person.
Curiosity led me to research the lyrics of Ball of Confusion, here are the words:
People moving out, people moving in Why, because of the color of their skin Run, run, run but you sure can't hide An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth Vote for me and I'll set you free Rap on, brother, rap on
Well, the only person talking about love thy brother is the preacher And it seems nobody's interested in learning but the teacher Segregation, determination, demonstration, integration Aggravation, humiliation, obligation to our nation Ball of confusion Oh yeah, that's what the world is today Woo, hey, hey
The sale of pills are at an all time high
Young folks walking round with their heads in the sky
The cities ablaze in the summer time
And oh, the beat goes on
Evolution, revolution, gun control, sound of soul Shooting rockets to the moon, kids growing up too soon Politicians say more taxes will solve everything And the band played on So, round and around and around we go Where the world's headed, nobody knows Oh, great googa-looga, can't you hear me talking to you Just a ball of confusion Oh yeah, that's what the world is today Woo, hey
Fear in the air, tension everywhere Unemployment rising fast, the Beatles new record's a gas And the only safe place to live is on an Indian reservation And the band played on
Eve of destruction, tax deduction, city inspectors, bill collectors Mod clothes in demand, population out of hand, suicide, too many bills Hippies moving to the hills, people all over the world are shouting, end the war And the band played on
Great googa-looga, can't you hear me talking to you Sayin' ball of confusion That's what the world is today, hey, hey Let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya Sayin', ball of confusion That's what the world is today, hey, hey Let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya Ball of confusion
(Songwriters: Norman Whitfield / Barrett Strong)
With all the negativity in the world, I still hang on to hope for a better future for all the young people. I am sure the generation before me held on to the same expectations. One of my biggest hopes is that people of all ages will stop being manipulated and brainwashed by all the lies designed to perpetuate untrue information. Wouldn't it be easier to spend the time researching for the truth? In the reality of truth, many in my generation have tried and continue trying to make the world a better place for those coming up the ranks.
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