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Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Hate and Prejudice are Taught

Given the events in our country during the last few weeks, we should remember that hate and prejudice are taught--they are not instinctive. So I'd like to present this song from South Pacific, which puts the concept of hate into context.

You've Got To Be Carefully Taught
by Richard Rodgers

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 diff'rent 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