Comments on: This land is our land…

By: Jim Booth

Jim Booth — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 00:41:38 +0000

Sam,

If we’re all singing the same song, maybe that’s enough at some moments.

I understand that the differences between me and my neighbors here are not resolved. I noted that the irony of the moment wasn’t lost on me.

But the pleasure of having Woody, a guy who’d agree with me, transcend our differences for us was rich. I’ll take it for what it was worth.

By: Sam Smith

Sam Smith — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 20:06:56 +0000

Yeah, Jim, but when we’re all singing the same song does it count if the things we envision are different? I mean, if I asked all Americans do they want an end to poverty, world peace, and the best education for their kids, they’d all say yes, right?

*sigh* I’m sorry – I’m being needlessly pragmatic, aren’t I?

By: Robert Silvey

Robert Silvey — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 17:32:07 +0000

Gavin, I think you’re right about the actual closeness of Americans

By: Jim Booth

Jim Booth — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 15:25:59 +0000

I know you know Johnny Clegg’s work, Gavin. Does he not hold at least some credence with South Africans across the board?

Just wondering – I’m a great admirer (Sam introduced me). And he certainly sings about issues relevant to S.A. – and the world….

By: whythawk

whythawk — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 15:07:56 +0000

Precisely so, in your differences you are far closer together than you imagine. The strength that is the US. Our president, in sunny South Africa, may be remembered as The Divider. He spends more time calling people racist than he does anything else.

And we have no song-writers who have managed to unite the nation, even in our differences.

By: Robert Silvey

Robert Silvey — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 04:56:04 +0000

Beautiful, Jim. I’m reminded of visiting my dear but reactionary relatives in Lubbock, Texas. They can sing up a storm, too, from hymns to folk songs. We can even agree on this verse:

In the squares of the city, in the shadow of the steeple,
Near the relief office, I see my people.
And some are grumblin’, and some are wonderin’
If this land’s still made for you and me.

Their solution to inequality may not be the same as mine, but we’re all in it together as long as we’re singing.

By: University Update - Virginia Tech - This land is our land

University Update - Virginia Tech - This land is our land — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 04:52:43 +0000

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