Those of you that know the band The Blacked Eyed Peas are most likely familiar with the newer version of the Black Eyed Peas' "Where is the Love" featuring French Montana, Tori Kelly, Nicole Scherzinger, Jamie Foxx, Puff Daddy, Mary J. Blige, and many others. Growing up, I heard the original version of the song and I would listen to it on repeat. I loved the Black Eyed Peas and this was one of my absolute favorites. It's my go-to karaoke song, yet I didn't even realize the deep meaning of the lyrics until I researched the song in 8th grade. They talk about real issues that are still relevant today; racism, discrimination, terrorism, corruption, and the list goes on. The following are lyrics from the original song that are still just as relevant today.
1. "Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma"
In today's world, we are drawn to the huge headlines, a famous celebrity's latest trial in court, the happenings of other countries, and the details of other peoples' lives. But what good comes from knowing the business of others? We are attracted to others' problems instead of facing those of our own. There is no love where there is judgement and hatred.
2. "But if you only have love for your own race / Then you only leave space to discriminate"
Being proud of the color of your skin is definitely a quality to have, but not respecting the racial backgrounds of others crosses a line that should never be crossed. If you thought that racial discrimination was a thing of the 50's, think again. Especially in the past couple of years, there has been more violence and more racism than I could ever imagine.
3. "Can you practice what you preach? / Or would you turn the other cheek?"
We always say "treat others the way you'd want to be treated", yet we treat others like trash. We say mean things, whether intentional or not. Others say "ignorance is bliss" and don't pay any mind to the feelings and emotions of their friends or peers. How can we live in a world where we don't treat others with respect, otherwise we just ignore them?
4. "If you never know truth, then you never know love"
This lyric goes along with the one below. If you never know the truth, you are living a lie. If you are living a lie, what would make sense in your life? Love is the most truthful aspect of our lives. If you truly love someone, you can show it rather than say it and your loved one would still know. Yet if we lie to someone, who knows whether they think that the lie is actually the truth?
5. "Wrong information always shown by the media"
"Fake news" has taken our media by storm. False information is always shown, facts are not checked, and people's lives are compromised. It is all about manipulating evidence and obscuring the truth. Is that the kind of world we want future generations to experience?
6. "Lack of understanding, leading us away from unity"
We are all too quick to judge others. We find it easier to destroy something because it is harder to build it back up again; it takes a second for a tower of blocks to fall, but it takes a few minutes to build it again. We don't take the time that is necessary to get to know other people. We don't imagine ourselves in other peoples' shoes until it is too late. Finding unity in our world today is extremely difficult when things like judgement, envy, and lack of compassion take over.
Every time I listen to this song, it makes me think about my future children. Do I want them growing up in a world where all they see is violence and people being mean? I want them to be educated but not corrupted. I want them to be seen and not just heard. Most importantly, I want them to be loved and not discriminated.
