It's the Truth

I have been thinking of the hate that seems to be going round and round our world and where it comes from. I was reminded of the Musical South Pacific, which in 1949 addressed the issues of prejudice and hatred through the song: "You've Got To Be Carefully Taught." Children are not naturally hateful bullies - They have to be taught. Here is the story of the song, the lyrics and a Youtube video of it being sung.

The issue of racial prejudice was sensitively and candidly explored at a time when few musicals engaged in serious social commentary. One of the most powerful and unforgettable songs in South Pacific takes only a minute and 10 seconds to perform.U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Joseph Cable sings "You've Got to be Carefully Taught" to express his dismay over the ugly truth that his own ingrained prejudices are threatening to destroy the happiness he has found with Liat.

Cable sings:

You’ve got to be taught to hate and fear,

You’ve got to be taught from year to year,

It’s got to be drummed in your dear little ear---

You’ve got to be carefully taught!

You’ve got to be taught to be afraid

Of people whose eyes are oddly made,

And people whose skin is a different shade---

You’ve got to be carefully taught.

You’ve got to be taught before it’s too late,

Before you are six or seven or eight,

To hate all the people your relatives hate---

You’ve got to be carefully taught!

You’ve got to be carefully taught!