What's Going On Today

In 1971 Marvin Gaye put out a record called "What's Going On'. For those who may be unfamiliar, let me catch you up. This is going somewhere. Promise.

In the late 1960s and early 70s, the country went kind of nuts. Marvin Gaye noticed, and decided to say something. He'd had lots of success singing what are now classic soul songs ("Heard It Through The Grape Vine" anyone?) but was frustrated that his music wasn't reflecting the world as it was. So he created an album that fixed that. It was a song cycle in which all the songs were connected musically and thematically with nary a break between the songs themselves. Musically this was practically a first for soul music and the record would be remembered for that alone.

But the key here is the lyrics. After a career in Motown made out of the "baby, baby" stuff that the label and his fans were used to, Marvin hit 'em with a punch to the gut and the mind by hitting on topics that were not sung about in soul music at the time. Topics that were real. Topics that are still here today,

Basically, "What's Going On" is Marvin Gaye saying "Hey, guys, doesn't anybody see all this? Doesn't anyone else think it's weird and wrong? Is it just me? Anybody?" This record came out a year before I was born, but I fee like that pretty much all the time. About a lot of the same things.

Here's why this stuff still resonates, by topic, and what I think it all means.

THE TREATMENT OF VETERANS: The character in the song "What's Happening Brother" has just come home from the war, has no money, no prospects and is out of sorts. This hasn't changed, and we still don't seem to care. I am about as anti war as it gets, but we can do better by the survivors of war.

HEROIN ADDICTION: Marvin sings "Flyin' High In The Friendly Sky" about heroin addiction, using the slang "Boy" for the drug. Heroin use is currently at epidemic levels in St. Louis. The boy is still here and as active as ever.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS: "Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology) is a save the planet song from 1971. We may be more aware now of the hazards we pose to the planet we are supposed to steward but how much progress have we made?

INNER CITY PROBLEMS: "Crime is increasing/Trigger happy policing/Panic is spreading/God knows where we're heading...Make me wanna holler/and throw up both my hands."  This is the one year anniversary of Michael Brown's death and the Ferguson protests. Just saying.

MAN'S RELATIONSHIP TO GOD: Though the theology may not be 100%, there are two modern day hymns on this record, suggesting that the only solution may not be found in man but the only hope is in divine intervention. These songs play like pleas as much as praise and that's a feeling that many of us are familiar with.

So what's the point here? What's going on? What does it say about our society that these troubles are still with us and are getting worse?

Simple answer number one. WE DON'T LEARN. As a people, we refuse to learn. We still can't get it together to take care of one another and put in a little self sacrifice every once in a while for the greater good.

Simple answer number two. WE CAN'T CHANGE THINGS. Mankind has been wrecking things since the beginning of time. All we do is just keep on destroying. As much as we may want to, none of us can change the world, or even the country. It's too big and the problems too ingrained.

However, we can change ourselves. We can learn from our own mistakes and those of others. We can make an impact on our own little corner of the world. We can pray for help from above. We can do the best we can, and maybe, just maybe a cumulative effect will begin to take shape.

"What's Going On" is considered one of the greatest records of the 20th century. And if you haven't heard it you really should. It is a testament to the genius and memory of Marvin Gaye. It has held up extraordinarily well over 40 plus years. One day I would like my grand kids to hear it. I just hope they don't understand it, that they can't relate. That would be the biggest tribute to God, Marvin, and to us all.

Starting

There's a lot going on.

I mean, really. There are just so many big issues out there now, I don't know where to begin. More importantly, I don't know how to address all of them.

You see, in the past I would just spew out any opinions or emotionally charged reactions and arguments I had and I didn't really care who's toes I stepped on, whether or not I offended anyone, or how the words came out sounding to my readers. I just thought people would deal with what they read, like it or lump it, and if they didn't agree or couldn't take my sense of humor they weren't worth my time.

Things have changed. I have matured quite a bit over the years (no really, I have. Stop snickering!)  and I care more now about how I communicate. I no longer wish to just beat people up with my opinions and I am more willing to listen to the other side. Provided that the dialogue remains respectful I am happy to have conversations about sticky topics. Which is not to say that I will always be crystal clear in my writings or that I won't push some buttons or get up on my high horse now and again. What's changing, however, is that I no longer want to purposefully write or communicate from that perspective.

An unforseen side effect of all this is that I have found myself saying very little or nothing at all in any sort of public forum. And that's just not me. It's time I start talking again for better or worse.

So, I shall be writing about some serious stuff here soon, after I organize my thoughts a little better. My ideas and world view may still offend and step on some toes, but I hope to present my arguments in a rational way that invites thought and productive dialogue. Although I reseve the right to a snarky comment here or there, but I'll try to back them up as best as possible and keep them to a minimum.

There you have it. This is both the disclaimer and intro to the next few blog entries coming your way. Stick with me and maybe we'll all come out the other side with more understanding and respect for one another. Sorry if that sounds hippie. What I mean is, let's stay taco bros. And, um, salsa sisters? ...I dunno, I gotta work on that.

Blog ya later.