Underclass

There are things I would like to teach the middle class about the underclass & teach it right

But it would merely be a game for them, an exercise, an entertainment

It wasn’t till I lived there & lived it

That I realized my knowledge to that point was profoundly superficial, a bit of theory that’s all

As the rastas say who FEELS it KNOWS it, but how to communicate this, to impart it?

The rasta proverb to feel is as INSIDE & OUT: to live it

My years with the underclass changed me, transformed me

To witness any semblance of innocence quashed, broke me

Steely Dan sang of a middle classer becoming the 3^rd world man

I think that’s a bit cute

Because I had OPTIONS

The poor don’t

I had an escape

& so even my view is shallow

By my ability to escape worst case scenarios

I mean I still could’ve quite easily have been killed or locked up

Nevertheless,

I was only a participant observer

Still it broke me with rage, sorrow, fear, desperation & despair

Now fitting back through the hole I lad left through

& back to middle class euphemistic, glib & cossetted sensibilities

Proved impossible enough for a full mental breakdown that took me 5 years to recover from, & now diagnosed with schizophrenia

But luxury/privilege allowed a decent repair job

You’d be surprised at my feelings of ease at times

Still I was changed forever

Now if you are middle class & you’ve only known options for your life

You have no right to despair

If it’s transformed you the way you say it has

You have an obligation to those who loved you & included you in their impoverished lives

Forget about ‘identities’ –

Middle class stuff –

A luxury

Now,

Help!

Be part of lifting up the oppressed like they matter

There is no peace to be made

Until there is justice

Mel From Melbourne - Music & Words