Back in 2017, Namjoon and Wale wrote a song together called “Change,” whose lyrics perfectly reflect today’s world. It is one of those songs that transcend time; and it is disappointing – but not surprising – to see not much has changed in these three years since the song was released.
Amongst all the chaos 2020 brings, people have finally seen big social progress such as the Black Lives Matter movement and other peaceful protests — e.g. Poland’s LGBTQ+ demonstrations — which will hopefully lead to a change that’s here to stay.
A look into the song’s concept…
“‘Change’ is a progressive, politically engaged song that challenges similar problems of both Eastern and Western cultures, such as lack of faith in the government, failing education system, racism and cyberbullying. At the same time, both artists express hopes for a better tomorrow for the next generations that the title changes can bring,” says Genius.
“They’ve got their situations and we’ve got ours in Seoul, the problems are everywhere, and the song is like a prayer for change,” said Namjoon in a Teen Vogue interview.
The song bears a topic that, while quite heavy, tells people to never give up on having hope for the future.
…and how the lyrics are a mirror on today’s world.
Throughout the song, the tone changes from hopeful to angry to desperate, only to become hopeful again at the end. It strongly denounces all the wrongdoings of the world’s leaders who are in charge of making the world a safe place for all of us, but who consistently fail at doing their jobs.
In his verse, Wale says he’s “got no faith in the government,” following his statement that “when it’s time to vote, the people turn to mannequins,” possibly meaning that politicians blind the population with sparkling promises they never keep, sometimes willingly turning a blind eye to people’s needs.
The Korean school system is also criticized as a place where “all we got is mad teachers and some visible classes, divided spaces, and forever-lasting stresses,” a system which classifies students, alienating them from each other, and forcing them into unnecessary hardships.
The most striking criticism, however, is aimed towards the violence that spreads more and more every day, both online and offline. Namjoon first denounces online violence, saying that “everybody’s mad, kill people with fingers on Twitter,” keyboard warriors who strive to hurt others.
Wale then denounces racism — specifically the police’s racial violence against black people. He himself has been a victim of racism, namely at school, where “the teachers used to lampoon.” Wale grew up being frowned upon for being poor and “hated by alt-rights and racist police, […] 12 comin’.”
“Alt-right” stands for “alternative right,” a political movement that is also known as “far-right.” This movement is rooted in the beliefs of white supremacy and white nationalism, soaked in hatred towards minorities.
In the US, “the twelve” is a slang term used to refer to the twelfth division of the police force, responsible for handling narcotics cases. They have been increasingly accused of targeting black communities unfairly and disproportionately to others. “War on Drugs policing tactics appear to increase police brutality, even as they make little progress in reducing street-level drug activity. In the wake of several recent police killings of Black [people], social movements are forming again to challenge aggressive police tactics, particularly those targeting Black communities,” says Hannah LF Cooper. The statistics are worrying.
“Black Americans account for less than 13% of the U.S. population, but the rate at which they are shot and killed by police is more than twice as high as the rate for white Americans,” writes Forbes.
This 2017 Police Violence Report shows that black people are more likely to be attacked by the police without even being armed.
Later on in the song, Wale says: “Since I was a lil' one, wasn't 'posed to get much status,” once again reaffirming the reality for people of his skin color in the world to which he was born.
Today, racism-related issues are finally being addressed, only it’s the people who have started protesting, fighting for and alongside their fellow POC citizens. With the slogan “Black Lives Matter,” they strive to put a stop to unjustified police violence, thereby doing the job the government is supposed to do — which is to protect and ensure everyone’s rights.
“Tell me that we gon’ someday stop the fight.”
“I see progress via my daughter’s eyes […] I think too much and drink too much now, I numb it ‘cause I don’t wanna cry.” Hope becomes despair that becomes hope again, in an endless circle. After all, hope and despair flow together, deeply intertwined.
This is what life is made of, and we, as people, have a right to fight for our well-being and to have our needs met no matter who we are, where we’re from, our skin color, or our gender identity – as Namjoon said in his UN speech.
“Take it day by day, night by night, it’s on you and me”; staying hopeful is a good way to start our revolution, remembering what we’re fighting for and by whose side. Before that, though, we must realize that “real change lies in the mirror.” We can’t change the world without educating ourselves first.
“All that heals holds hope.” – “Von”, Yoko Kanno ft. Arnór Dan Arnarson.
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Written By: Antonella
Edit By: Vera
Checked By: Aury
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