Reply #35: K&R: An excellent essay, and it reminds me....

[ms liberty]

There's a Peter Gabriel song on his third LP, (wow - that dates me!) that I have had running thru my head. It seems like it's been earwigging me for years now, probably because of the naked hatred and fear we've seen since 9/11 (and before) from the RW. It's written from the point of view of someone who's part of a group or clique, looking at someone who is different and not part of their group. It is so descriptive of their mindset, I've often wondered if the Lyric Gods allowed him a glimpse of the future!

Not One of Us (1980)

It's only water
in a strangers tear
Looks are deceptive
but distinctions are clear
A foreign body
and a foreign mind
Never welcome
in the land of the blind

You may look like we do
Talk like we do
- but you know how it is

You're not one of us
not one of us
No, you're not one of us
Not one of us
not one of us
No, you're not one of us

There's safety in numbers
when you learn to divide
How can we be in
if there is no outside?
All shades of opinion
feed an open mind
But your values are twisted
let us help you unwind

You may look like we do
talk like we do
- but you know how it is

You're not one of us
not one of us
No, you're not one of us
Not one of us
not one of us
No, you're not one of us