Day 1: Music

Bob Dylan is considered one of the most significant singer-songwriters of all time. His earlier songs typically revolve around hot-button issues of the 1960s like racism, protests, wars, politics, etc. He became especially popular during this time. Below are the lyrics to his song, "Only a Pawn in Their Game." This song discusses the murder of an African American activist and how his murder is not to blame as much as the influencial people in the murder's life who promoted and developed the deep seeded hatred and racism that prompted his murderous actions.

A bullet from the back of a bush took Medgar Evers' blood.

A finger fired the trigger to his name.
A handle hit out in the dark
A hand set the spark
Two eyes took the aim
Behind a man's brain

But he can't be blamed

He's only a pawn in their game.

A South politician preaches to the poor white man,
'You got more than the blacks, don't complain.
You're better than them, you been born with white skin,' they explain.
And the Negro's name
Is used it is plain
For the politician's gain
As he rises to fame
And the poor white remains
On the caboose of the train
But it ain't him to blame
He's only a pawn in their game.

The deputy sheriffs, the soldiers, the governors get paid,
And the marshals and cops get the same.
But the poor white man's used in the hands of them all like a tool.
From the start by the rule
That the laws are with him
To protect his white skin
To keep up his hate
So he never thinks straight
'Bout the shape that he's in
But it ain't him to blame
He's only a pawn in their game.

From the poverty shacks, he looks from the cracks to the tracks,
And the hoof beats pound in his brain.
And he's taught how to walk in a pack
Shoot in the back
With his fist in a clinch
To hang and to lynch
To hide 'neath the hood
To kill with no pain
Like a dog on a chain
He ain't got no name
But it ain't him to blame
He's only a pawn in their game.

Today, Medgar Evers was buried from the bullet he caught.
They lowered him down as a king.
But when the shadowy sun set on the one
That fired the gun
He'll see by his grave
On the stone that remains

Carved next to his name

His epitaph plain:

Only a pawn in their game

 

Today, there are people in the media and in politics that induce fear in the general population. Some may argue that these fears are based on misinformation or racist thoughts or simply exagerations. Obviously, this depends heavily on what issue is being discussed and what person is discussing it. Regardless, think of a person that may fall into this category and argue for how their words and actions could be potential dangerous to someone who doesn't know any better. Write between 250-500 words. HAVE FUN!