Part 1: Forging Solidarity - Southern Perspectives of Popular Education, 9-10 June 2016
Freedom Day (27 April) in South Africa is a good day to launch our count-down to the colloquium.
We begin with the ‘Solidarity Song’ by Bertolt Brecht, arguably one of the greatest writers and playwrights of all time. His ‘southern perspective’ was to side with the dispossessed and oppressed - but also his belief that songs, poems, plays that speak out against oppressors are powerful acts of defiance!
Bertolt Brecht: Solidarity Song
Peoples of the world, together
Join to serve the common cause!
So it feeds us all for ever
See to it that it's now yours.
Forward, without forgetting
Where our strength can be seen now to be!
When starving or when eating
Forward, not forgetting
Our solidarity!
Black or white or brown or yellow
Leave your old disputes behind.
Once start talking with your fellow
People, you'll soon be of one mind.
Forward, without forgetting
Where our strength can be seen now to be!
When starving or when eating
Forward, not forgetting
Our solidarity!
If we want to make this certain
We'll need you and your support.
It's yourselves you'll be deserting
if you rat your own sort.
Forward, without forgetting
Where our strength can be seen now to be!
When starving or when eating
Forward, not forgetting
Our solidarity!
All the gang of those who rule us
Hope our quarrels never stop
Helping them to split and fool us
So they can remain on top.
Forward, without forgetting
Where our strength can be seen now to be!
When starving or when eating
Forward, not forgetting
Our solidarity!
Workers of the world, uniting
Thats the way to lose your chains.
Mighty regiments now are fighting
That no tyranny remains!
Forward, without forgetting
Till the concrete question is hurled
When starving or when eating:
Whose tomorrow is tomorrow?
And whose world is the world?
If you would like to hear the song, click on the link below.