How the Song Related to General Systems Theory
Lucky Philip Dube, popularly known as Lucky Dube, is a South African reggae musician considered to be one of the most influential artist in that genre. His song ‘Different Colors’ is one of the most popular songs in the African continent and beyond. The song relates to the general systems theory effectively. It is necessary to understand the concepts of general systems theory before explaining its relationship with this song.
Paynton and Hahn (2021, para. 6) explain that this theory holds the primary principle that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” A system is constituted of different objects and attributes. These objects should be synchronized and work as a unit for the system to function properly. The different components of the system should understand their specific roles. They have to complement each other for the intended goal of the system to be realized. The theory has been used to explain the need for different members of the society to understand the need to work as a unit to overcome common challenges that they face.
The song ‘Different Colors’ was released in 1993 in South Africa during the era of Apartheid. The country was sharply divided along the racial lines and the fight for the country’s independence from the Boers. The whites in South Africa viewed Blacks as barbaric individuals who could not govern themselves and were a threat to the country’s stability (Konieczna & Skinner, 2019). As such, they (whites) had to use force to crush the uprisings and ensure that they remain in power. At the time, segregation was a common practice and blacks could not share the same hospitals, schools, or other social amenities with whites. The segregation and the rule by the minority angered the majority blacks who felt that violence was the only means of forcing the whites to hand over power to the blacks. Violent attacks were common on both sides and many lives were lost. Lucky Dube, a black South African, grew up in this society where whites viewed themselves as superior while blacks felt that this was their country and had the right to govern it.
In this song, Lucky Dube was committed to preaching peace in the country. He, just like many South Africans who were committed to preaching peace and unity, was concerned that the racial violence and segregation would destroy the country. Parts of the lyrics explains that the country is home to people from different parts of the world. He explains that although there are Americans, Russians, Zimbabweans, Ghanaians, Britons, Jamaicans, and South Africans in the country, they all belong here (Anaedozie, 2021).
He further states that whites and blacks are one people who should not fight, but instead, work as a family. Dube explains that breaking the racial barrier is not easy because of the entrenched believes and personal interests. He gives a specific example of a black man shot dead in the streets of South Africa during a racial violence. He believes that there are numerous common challenges that South Africans face, irrespective of their race or religion.
The song is directly related to the general systems theory. Just as it is stated in this theory, the main theme of the song is that as a society, there is a need to work as a unit. It is possible that there may be a difference in race, religion, gender, age, social status, or any other demographical factor. However, that does not mean their goals in life are different. In a system, the different components are not similar because they are expected to play different roles (Anaedozie, 2021).
However, they are expected to complement each other to ensure that the system runs smoothly. Similarly, the song explains that South Africa may be home to people of different races, religion, and capabilities. However, they have to understand the fact that their differences makes them perfect components of a whole system. It means that different individuals will be capable of undertaking different roles in the society.
People only need to realize that there are common problems in the society that require unity and commitment to achieve the goal. Although a believer of the rule by the majority, Dube explains in this song that every member of the society has a role to play. No one should be considered an outcast or unwanted. The song explains that violence and segregation in the country only limits the socio-economic and political growth in the country. Similarly, if a single component of a complex system fails, it is possible that the entire system may fail to achieve the intended goal.
How Music and Art Have Been Used as a Force in Social Justice Movement
The social justice movement has remained powerful in the United States and many other parts of the world. Mollenkamp (2022, para. 4) defines social justice as “a fair and equitable division of resources, opportunities, and privileges in society.” In the United States, there is always a feeling that whites often have a privilege over African Americans or other races when it comes to securing well-paying jobs, admission into the best colleges, or achieving career success in some of the top companies (Robinson, 2020).
The problem is not unique to the United States. In Australia, the aboriginals feel that the government is keen on denying them various benefits that they deserve. The Tibetans in China, the Sentinelese in India, and the Chukchees in Russia also feel disenfranchised in their own country (Esler, 2020). These people tend to use various platforms available as a force in social justice movement.
Music has remained one of the most powerful tools used as a force in social justice movement. The song ‘Different Colors’ discussed above is an example of how music is used to address social inequalities in the country. In the United States, Pete Seeger’s ‘We shall overcome’ was once one of the most popular social justice songs of its era. Pate was a social activist who believe that there was a need to have a society where every man and woman felt they belong. In many of his songs, he preached unity and equitable distribution of resources. The song ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’ by Sam Cooke is another piece of music that promotes equity and fairness in the society. Artists use their work to pass a powerful message to their audience with the hope that it will influence their thoughts and actions.
How They Influence Popular Support of These Movements
Art has also remained one of the most effective ways of promoting social justice in the society. The piece of art, shown in figure 1 below, is a good example. The artist understands the pain that those who feel disenfranchised in the society go through. He then identifies with them and appeal to their emotions by telling them that “we fight for us”. The artists understands that these people are committed to fighting for themselves. As such, he is telling them that there is nothing wrong with fighting for your rights. However, he adds a disclaimer at the bottom, stating that ‘we must fight for he’, referring to the country. In this message, the artist is saying that those who fight for their rights should remember that they have to protect the country in the process. The approach is meant to promote unity in an environment where people feel that they have to fight each other.
Artists are using their talent to help pass messages meant to evoke emotions. Beyond love and hate that is common in our society, there is a need to focus on social justice as well. MacLachlan (2020) explains that in many cases, those who use art and music to promote social justice are those who have experienced it or those who feel something needs to be done about it. They use their popularity to convince the society that there is something wrong with the current state of affairs. They remind them that there is a need for everyone to work together to address the challenges identified. Just like the lyrics of Lucky Dube’s ‘Different Colors’ song state, there is need for everyone to understand that ‘we are one people’.
References
Anaedozie, C. (2021). Africans at home and in the United States: One people one problem one destiny. The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group.
Esler, J. (2020). Tibetan Buddhism among Han Chinese mediation and superscription of the Tibetan tradition in contemporary Chinese society. Lexington Books.
Konieczna, A., & Skinner, R. (2019). A global history of anti-apartheid: ‘forward to freedom’ in South Africa. Palgrave Macmillan.
MacLachlan, H. (2020). Singing out: Gala choruses and social change. University of Michigan Press.
Mollenkamp, D. (2022). Social justice meaning and main principles explained. Investopedia. Web.
Paynton, S., & Hahn, L. (2021). Systems theory paradigm. Libra Texts. Web.
Red Bubble. (2022). While we fight for us, we must fight for her. Red Bubble. Web.
Robinson, D. (2020). Racism USA an American epidemic. Page Publishing.