This song on racism is from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s beautiful musical of 1949, SOUTH PACIFIC. I first posted these lyrics following Charlottesville in 2017: Here they are again.
You’ve got to be taught to hate and fear
You’ve got to be taught from year to year
It’s got to be drummed in your dear little ear
You’ve got to be carefully taught
You’ve got to be taught to be afraid
Of people whose eyes are oddly made
And people whose skin is a diff’rent shade
You’ve got to be carefully taught
You’ve got to be taught before it’s too late
Before you are six or seven or eight
To hate all the people your relatives hate
You’ve got to be carefully taught.
Rodgers and Hammerstein believed they could write a musical based on the novel by James Michener Tales of the South Pacific that would be financially successful and, at the same time, send a strong progressive message on racism.* That was in 1949…it’s now 2020! Over 70 years ago. We must continue the fight against racism and for social justice !
Peace and love,
Kay
*Wikipedia
Disclaimer – I try for correct info on kaysnycways – but no guarantees people
