A Speech and Song

Some moments just touch us deep within, and draw out those emotions which infuse us with a stronger resolve to be idealistic, to dream of utopia. When that enlightenment, that revelation occurs the world stops for a moment and a spark ignites inside which carries us with a brilliant fervor. These moments can be speeches, dances, simple experiences of daily life, but on this occasion it was the depth of struggle hidden within the voice of an aboriginal baritone, Kutcha Edwards.

I was attending the City of Sydney Peace Prize Lecture given by an excellent journalist, John Pilger, a ‘Bondi boy’, a Sydney-sider. Funny to, because a year ago I had sat on a panel with other students and been allowed the opportunity to present one question to John, and that was one of the most nervous moments in my life. Now on the other side of Earth, I once again had the privilege to hear truth being spoke to power and feel the solidarity of my fellows in the struggle.

Throughout the lecture, one myth after another was relegated to the trash where it belonged permanently. Inside I knew that only in my mind was that myth annihilated, but wished it would spread slowly to all. The only way it would spread so far and wide would be if each of us went out and spoke out, utilized those unalienable rights for the correct purpose.

As the night moved along from point to point and the crowd roared and clapped, nothing was as uplifting as that song. It is not money the fight is for, it is not power, but the beauty of human creativity and artistic expression. The piano began, every person leaned forward, and the first line came out, “ I was born by the river, in a little tent – O, and just like the river, I’ve been running ever since.” Goosebumps rose upon my arms, my heart stopped, and in the next second I felt the euphoric sense of wonder. You could see John standing off to the side in the darkness with the same feelings as the audience, everyone was imbued with that fire in the soul. Then came the most powerful words of the song, the chorus of truth and hope, “ A change gon’ come.”

For in those simple lyrics is the message, the idea, the hope, the light, the truth, and the struggle. When Kutcha finished, not a soul in the Opera House was untouched, for all felt that struggle and knew that one day something will be done. As I walked out and away from the Opera House towards Circular Quay, me and my mate chanted,

“ ¡ El Pueblo Unido Jamas Sera Vencido!”

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