Trisha L.

Gatab
AB COMM - II

Read the poem. 

Stand Up

Different shades, colors, tones, and hues

Blacks and whites always singing the blues
They’re always thinking that they’re superior
They’re always feeling that they’re inferior
Seriously, why can’t we all just get along?
Why do we keep singing the same old song?
Your hate will drown in the sea of tolerance
Slowly dying without an attentive audience
I stand tall in the face of oppressive racism
I refuse to support the unspoken “hate system”
Challenging the thoughts of the close-minded
Opening the eyes of those who are blinded
Teaching my child to have acceptance of others
That we’re all connected, sisters and brothers
Kneel, stand, march, type it loudly online
Dim the power of hate; refuse to let it shine
The “race card” is played because it’s in the deck
It’s beyond time to put racist attitudes in check
Don’t be afraid to stand for what you believe
You might be surprised at what you can achieve
Our world would be fine, existing through better design
If you can tackle ignorance one person at a time.

Copy the lines which you think refer to societal issue/s. Explain the meaning of these.
(5pts.)
“Different shades, colors, tones, and hues
Blacks and whites always singing the blues
They’re always thinking that they’re superior
They’re always feeling that they’re inferior
Seriously, why can’t we all just get along?
Why do we keep singing the same old song?”

These lines describe how race and color is attributed to hate and discrimination because of
the idea of white supremacy. Racism divides people and let’s them think that only one race
or color is deserving and it has been deeply rooted in the system that you can’t get rid of it
overnight.

Choose another line that you think expresses the meaning of the poem. Explain the
meaning of the line. (5pts.)

“I stand tall in the face of oppressive racism

I refuse to support the unspoken “hate system”
Challenging the thoughts of the close-minded
Opening the eyes of those who are blinded”

The poem sparks revolution and fosters egalitarian social change. It has been a belief
system for other people because they grew up in a toxic/close-minded environment that
does not give them the room to correct their mindset therefore, prolonging the hate. These
Trisha L. Gatab
AB COMM - II

lines express that we should be able to change beliefs and mindset, that we should be able
to see and to understand different angles of the problem.

Is there a line in the poem that will tell you how to change the situation of the society?
If there is,write the line, then discuss how society can be transformed.(5pts.)

“Teaching my child to have acceptance of others

That we’re all connected, sisters and brothers
Kneel, stand, march, type it loudly online
Dim the power of hate; refuse to let it shine
The “race card” is played because it’s in the deck
It’s beyond time to put racist attitudes in check
Don’t be afraid to stand for what you believe
You might be surprised at what you can achieve
Our world would be fine, existing through better design
If you can tackle ignorance one person at a time.”

It starts in the basic unit of life which is the family. How we treat people says a lot about how
we are at home. To teach children to accept, to be kind and to understand is crucial now
more than ever because this fight against racism has long been fought before and should be
continued now by teaching the youth or even changing the minds of adults and the elderly
about equality among races.

If none, how will you address the issue? (5pts.)

By correcting the mindset of people, giving them a choice of what to believe by

presenting historical and social facts about racism. By letting other people exercise
their rights, by being morally good, by not judging the book abruptly, by not looking
at the color of the skin but rather the personality of the person and lastly, by giving
equal rights and opportunities to different people despite the differences.