A word on Negativity
It seems that there are few things as misunderstood as the nature of negativity - there appears to be an automatic assumption in many people that identifying problems and being outspoken about them is "negativity".
I think I've finally managed to crystalise my thoughts on this, so here goes...
All of us who were outspokenly opposed to apartheid were not being negative when we kept "moaning" about what was wrong in various forums and refusing to let go of the issues, were we? We were speaking our truth. To speak your truth is never negative, it's just honesty.
Even if people weren't actually doing anything more than voice their opinions, their refusal to lie down and accept the situation was crucial to it changing for the better.
That's what punk was all about - in fact it's the traditional role of the musician/artist/writer in society - where would we be without Dylan's WHINING, Bono's MOANING, Bright Blue's WEEPING, The Sex Pistols' FURY, The Clash's sardonic political VENOM, Nirvana's CYNICISM, Green Day's SARCASM?
Sure, these are all "NEGATIVE" words, but they have power to change things. As PiL sang: "Anger is an energy".
(Yes, I know music has lost much of its ability to change the world, because the powers-that-be immediately co-opt anything threatening, but allow me the romance, if you will :)
THE REAL NEGATIVE THING IS TO KEEP QUIET - like those in the USA who were opposed to Bush, but did not speak out, and thus let him have his way.
That's why we can't just assume that, because someone is saying things that are not nice or comfortable or optimistic, they are automatically negative.
I think I've finally managed to crystalise my thoughts on this, so here goes...
All of us who were outspokenly opposed to apartheid were not being negative when we kept "moaning" about what was wrong in various forums and refusing to let go of the issues, were we? We were speaking our truth. To speak your truth is never negative, it's just honesty.
Even if people weren't actually doing anything more than voice their opinions, their refusal to lie down and accept the situation was crucial to it changing for the better.
That's what punk was all about - in fact it's the traditional role of the musician/artist/writer in society - where would we be without Dylan's WHINING, Bono's MOANING, Bright Blue's WEEPING, The Sex Pistols' FURY, The Clash's sardonic political VENOM, Nirvana's CYNICISM, Green Day's SARCASM?
Sure, these are all "NEGATIVE" words, but they have power to change things. As PiL sang: "Anger is an energy".
(Yes, I know music has lost much of its ability to change the world, because the powers-that-be immediately co-opt anything threatening, but allow me the romance, if you will :)
THE REAL NEGATIVE THING IS TO KEEP QUIET - like those in the USA who were opposed to Bush, but did not speak out, and thus let him have his way.
That's why we can't just assume that, because someone is saying things that are not nice or comfortable or optimistic, they are automatically negative.
Labels: activism, music, negativity, punk, social responsibility, south africa
posted by Zapruder | 00:41
6 Comments:
Nice take on the idea zapzen.
Silence is definitely a killer.
And not only for the world in which we exist, but on a personal level as well. The strong silent types make me infinitely more nervous than those who are outspoken. At least I know they're not closeting their psychotic tendencies.
The ability to be able to effect change is something we all have. And if we remain silent, we remain sheep-like and consensual, often in systems that no longer make sense for the vast majority.
I just had to post this on behalf of Trevor - isn't this the perfect summation, lol!
"So when you are observant as a man you are a negative cunt.
BUT when you are as observant as a musician, you are an insightful visionary leader of men.
Its a funny old world."
Ha ha, Jam - yeh, those silent types.
Silence is absolutely a form of giving consent - if you don't speak up you have no right to complain when things don't go your way.
And as you point out, many people who stay silent are doing so cos everything is ok for them (for now), and screw other people. Which is also a very SA mentality unfortunately. We have a not-so-proud history of ignoring the plight of others as long as we are comfortable. The Nats based their entire strategy on knowing this.
I know that it must look to the rest of the world like those of us here in the US who oppose Bush and his band of merry men are sitting on our thumbs... and I can't say that I blame all the rest of you for thinking we're a bunch of flaming idiots, but it is a big place and a tough system to move around. Many of us are working our tails off to get our country and our government back. Don't write us off just yet, and don't quit fighting the fight wherever in the world you are... we need your voices too... Keep telling the truth. It's a little bitty world we're all sharing and there aren't that many sane ones of us on it.
swan
Hi swan
Thanks to the excellent Common Dreams news site, and I'm very aware that there are many many Americans who are doing the best you can in whatever way you can to oppose what Bush and his cronies are doing to your country and to the world.
You're right - wherever we are in the world, we need to all do our bit to try and keep it as sane as possible.
Thanks for your comment, and please know that, at least in spirit, you're not as alone as you may sometimes feel :)
YAWN
Time for a new post by now don't you think? Stop working and do some fun stuff for a bit!
*grin*
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