Lucky Dube’s Song Different Colors
Lucky Dube’s Song Different Colors
South Africa experienced the worst form of colonization in the form of apartheid by their colonial masters: the Boers. The South Africans suffered a lot to the dislike of many people around the world. Philip Lucky Dube commonly known as Lucky; did not like the way people were segregated based on their racial background because; he believed that all people were created equally in the eyes of the Almighty God. He used his talent to compose songs that left people rethinking about their actions, especially the colonizers and politicians. The song ‘different colors- one people’ was meant to stress that racial discrimination is awful and intolerable by God.
Lucky used art to unite people around the world and this emphasized on the importance of cooperation as a people. The song has been enjoyed by very many people around the world to date. It emphasizes on respect to fellow human beings. Through respect, people can live in peace with each other irrespective of one’s skin color. Everyone who listened to the lyrics whether black, white or Indian enjoyed the message; apart from the rhythm and the tune. Lucky Dube’s songs are inspirational about life. They are also liberation-oriented because he believed in a free world where people interact freely, study together, dance together and even go to school together. Lucky’s songs have greatly affected my life in a way that I have learnt to appreciate every person’s status and race because it is God given. Different colors standout for me.
Lucky recognizes God in his song as the ultimate giver of life when he created man. During the creation, God never said that the white or the black are his images, but he made man in his image. For this reason, no one should judge anyone as being better than the other based on the race. The song has been used to break world barriers that exist among different people. The fact that Lucky uses God teachings in his struggle for freedom through the song humbles me. It shows someone who respects the creator of the earth and heaven.
The song and others in his album teach us that one can achieve more in life by acts of mercy and respect to others. Lucky through this song continues Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent philosophy. As much as we have different colors; we are one people and can work together to make the world a better place. The song is touching. If we realize that we are one people irrespective of the different colors and status in life, we can collaborate and make the world a better place than we found it. The song has a humanitarian aspect in it that makes one think that if we adhered to what Lucky’s thoughts; there would be no wars in the world today. If the colonizers knew God, they would not have killed innocent Africans and put them under the conditions they did. The perception of the black skin as inhuman should not exist at all because they were created by God, and He was pleased with them.
The song makes me rethink about the actions of government officials towards the citizens. He sang about what is happening today in politics as much as the song was composed long time ago. He cautions the politicians and government not to separate the people for their selfish gains. To back up his statements, Lucky used Bible quotes. It is a show of a person who loved God and understood that if we follow the word of God, we will live in peace with each other. He said in the song that we were created in the image of God and, therefore, no one should separate us, based on race, religion, status in society or political affiliations.
Lucky was a peace builder. He did this by use of art and drama through the concerts that he performed. I like his personality and style of passing message to the masses. The song brings humor to the listeners when he alters the words that God did not say that you are black or white. He further says that it is now time to kick that talk out. Lucky was admired the world over, and that is why he was invited for concerts worldwide in the US, Australia, Japan, United Kingdom, Jamaica, Kenya just, but to name a few. When asked about his tribe, Lucky never said whether he was a Zulu or a Swazi. It shows how much he detested the racism that Mandela and others fought to liberate the South Africans. He furthermore, rejected tribal identities that people attempted to categories him. He said that he was not all that, but a human being that happens to be born in the continent of Africa and particularly in South Africa.
Lucky believed that people’s difference should be in cultures, and other aspects have to be harmonized to make a strong society with different talents and abilities. I like the song because, in it, he championed for human rights. It’s only in a cohesive society that sustained development can be achieved. To me, Lucky Dube was a peace ambassador; he united all people and never drew differences among people. He derived great joy when he had people interpret his songs. He said that the songs are not just to be danced about, but for the people to get the message in the songs. It is his way of reforming the society.
During the height of apartheid, some of his songs were banned by the government, but later the songs were allowed. He was a brave person who never feared the government because he believed in equality. Lucky is also applauded for championing for gender equality. He believed that the development can be greatly achieved by treating women as equal persons to the male. Lucky has always had a soft spot for women. It is influenced by the fact that he did not know his father as it is alleged that he was brought up by his mother.
Despite that, lucky never held grudge for his dad. He made an effort to talk to him. He enjoyed when he saw oppressed people reconciling with the oppressors. Reggae music’s are great songs because mostly, they are about society happenings. South Africans celebrated Mandela and other politicians for their role in attaining independence, but they forgot Lucky Dube. He did a great job in the fight for the freedom of South Africans by use of his art. He did not abuse the oppressors; he appealed to their souls through the touching words in his songs.
In conclusion, the song Different Colors-One People is a unifying piece of art that is inspiring. It encourages people to respect others as we are all created in the image of God. The use of Gods words in the song to back up anti-apartheid campaigns is a sign of a non-violence philosophy in his art. He championed against slavery, racism and segregations without any fear of the consequences.
References
Lucky P. L.D. Lucky Dube’s Lyrics: "Different Colors / One People" .Available online. http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/luckydube/differentcoloursonepeople.html
