I wrote the following post six years ago after watching an old interview with Paul McCartney. Its lyrics and context still resonate today.
The title is from a line of The Beatles song “Blackbird” which is a tribute to the struggle for African-Americans for their civil rights. The song was sung by Paul McCartney with writing credits to both him and John Lennon, although McCartney was the lead.
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
Here is what McCartney said about the origin of the song in an interview in 2002.
“I’ve got a poetry book out called Blackbird Singing…..I was in Scotland playing on my guitar, and I remembered this whole idea of ‘you were only waiting for this moment to arise’ was about, you know, the black people’s struggle in the southern states, and I was using the symbolism of a blackbird. It’s not really about a blackbird whose wings are broken, you know, it’s a bit more symbolic.”
I added McCartney’s quote as I wanted the clarity around what the song means. African-Americans are still fighting an uphill struggle for their civil rights. What has happened in Ferguson, Cleveland, New Jersey, Charleston, Charlotte and Baltimore is tragic, but evidence of the disenfranchisement of African-Americans. The lack of opportunity, the malaise, the maltreatment, the deterioration of the neighborhood, the lack of respect given to people of color in our country continues.
I have noted before that Warren Buffett has said he was born lucky. He was born a white male in America. All three components of that phrase are important – white, male and America. Yes, he worked hard, but he was afforded opportunities that African-Americans do not get. Not only do many whites like me have a hard time knowing the challenges of being black, but we also do not fully realize the advantages of being white. As I wrote recently, as a white man, there are not too many places I cannot go no matter how I am dressed. But, there are far too many stories of how a black man can be dressed in his Sunday best, yet still be stopped by the police and think “be careful as this may be the last thing I do on earth.”
I would encourage three things. First, please do not look at those committing violence and rioting as indicative of the African-American community. The community knows this is not the path forward. Second, people who look like me need to do our best to understand the challenges we have in America for people of color, but also for all people in poverty. Third, as always, talk is cheap. These issues are complex and solutions have to address many underlying concerns. There are no sound byte answers as some politicians have espoused.
I mention this last point as we must address the wide disparity in American between the “haves” and “have-nots.” This is not just an African-American issue. It is an American issue, as most people on food stamps are white. Please re-read this previous sentence. Poverty exists in urban areas, in rural areas and even in the suburbs. We have to stop the “war on poor people” and make this a “war on poverty.”
We must invest in our infrastructure and deteriorated assets repurposing them. This will spawn jobs as well in places where it is needed. We must revise our minimum wage to be consistent with a living wage for one person, which varies, but is just over $10 an hour. We must invest in education at all levels. We must embrace the Affordable Care Act as it is helping so many people and fully implement it through Medicaid expansion in the remaining 20 odd states. For some politicians to say we have a poverty problem and be against the ACA is hypocritical and shortsighted, especially when it is working pretty well.
Remember McCartney’s words and lets help these folks with broken wings learn to fly. To do otherwise, goes against what our country is all about and any of the teachings found in religious texts.
nice!
Many thanks for stopping by.
I heard something recently that struck a chord. I paraphrase, but basically it was that if you think racism does not exist or is not a problem then look at who is in a position to write policy and control lives. From education to healthcare to governing laws, until there is a balance of representation, the imbalance continues.
VJ, well said. I was thinking even more simply, if one thinks racism does not exist, then one is mistaken. Keith
Well, that too, lol.
VJ, sadly we LOL, don’t we? Keith
Wise words as usual Keith. I think it’s going to take a lot for the white people of the South to ever remember there was white trash ie the poor, at the height of the slave trade and yet these people dream of a return to those days. That was when they should have identified with people of colour and not with the plantation owners. They’re still listening to the plantation owners all these years later yet they’ve not grown richer or wiser.
Hugs
Thanks David. People support the rights of those who have more than their fair share at the expense of their own. Poor southern whites were fed a story of states rights to fight for plantation owners’ rights to own slaves. Thanks for your points. Keith
I very much agree with what your thoughts. The disparity in our country is at the root of many issues. As always, nicely written.
Thanks LaDonna. Your endorsement is appreciated. Keith
You’re welcome. You certainly don’t need my endorsement. I always look forward to reading your thoughts. Happy weekend to you ❤️.
Thanks LaDonna. You as well.
Beautiful! 🙂 ❤
Thanks Deborah.
What a great post, Keith. Of late, it sometimes seems that we have not progressed at all since the days of Jim Crow. I have a friend who has been stopped by police for no reason other than the colour of his skin at least 6 times in the past year. And this is 2021? Thank you for this timely reminder to us all that there is so much yet to be done before this can truly be a nation where “all men are created equal”. And by the way … you’ve planted an earworm and I’ll be singing that song all day long now!
Jill, it is sad, isn’t it, that it remains a concern? As for the earworm, it is a pleasant lilt? Keith
Beyond sad … it’s a tragedy. Sigh.
One of the best! This, along with Lennon’s “Imagine”, are my favourites and they can stick in my mind anytime!
Two excellent choices. Of course, I have been humming the Superman song from a previous post called “A better part of me.” Keith
Wonderfully written Keith. It’s hard to believe it’s 2021.
Kim, so true. Why does this remain relevant? Keith
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Thanks Jill.