Twelve years ago, I was asked to compose a song to teach high school students about the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As a 6th grader, I had learned about the Civil Rights Movement, and MLK's teachings on non-violent protest made such a deep impression on me that it influenced my work as an activist in Israel/Palestine, at the UN, and in other areas over the years. Thus, composing this song came very naturally to me.
Seeing what is happening today, from the ongoing murders and lynchings in the black community at the hands of white supremacists, brutal police abusing their power, and a white militia being emboldened to violence is horrifying. And while the amount of young people protesting is truly inspiring, as a nation we have gone more backward than many of us have imagined possible. Maybe it's naive, but if this song can have any small impact, I hope it will be heard by those who will be moved by its message.
"He said, Let the Golden Rule
Be the rule of thumb
To love each other, everyone
So we can win the war on hate
Before we find that it's too late."
This song is dedicated to the memory of all those who have been murdered by racially motivated violence. May their deaths not be in vain and may love conquer all. #music #blacklivesmatter #BLM
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