Turn Up the Music: “What About Us”

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Since Donald Trump assumed the presidential office in January 2017, it seems as if almost every singer, actor and comedian has broadcasted his/her intense feelings on the new elect. Songs like “Locker Room Talk,” by the Cold War Kids and “Is This The Life We Really Want,” by Roger Waters, as well as celebrities like Jennifer Lawrence, Miley Cyrus, and John Legend express clear disagreement and criticism regarding the President’s platform and his outlandish decision-making. On Aug. 10, 2017, the American singer and songwriter, P!nk released a new song called “What About Us,” which may be an addition to list of songs and celebrities disappointed in the presidential enforcement.

Music-lovers would think, since P!nk has not released a solo album since 2012, that her new song would be catchy, up-beat, and a fan-based to draw attention to all who listen. But, we now think otherwise.

“What about all the plans that ended in disaster? What about love? What about trust? What about us?” It is almost obvious that the chorus is proposing direct questions to the President, targeting his empty plans of hope, which he has yet to deliver to American people. Rather than using the pronoun “I,” Pink uses “We” to encourage all listeners to unite upon this common feeling of betrayal.

It is believed that P!nk’s line, “The broken happy ever afters,” is a direct focus to President Trump’s infamous travel ban order, which separated immigrant families. Donald Trump has sent mixed-signals to Americans and immigrants for months, leaving us with discomfort and confusion about what executive orders he will propose next to directly attack the lives of immigrants.

P!nk cries, “we are problems that want to be solved, we are children that need to be loved” in high time as Trump tries to defeat DACA, targeting children who have never targeted him. People of all races, colors and religions want to feel loved and accepted, but the president is depriving people of all ages of this basic freedom. P!nk inspires all Dreamers to keep dreaming.

P!nk’s lyrics have never motioned listeners to back down, but to rather withstand. Her lyrics chant “RESIST” because she understands that today and tomorrow belong to us, and we cannot settle on unfair ground because in the end, we are all humans with rights. P!nk excites all of her fans and beyond to work together as a team, who will win together, rather than lose together in our fight against a single bully.

Pink is the new face of the revolution, and her song is a call-to-action. We cannot settle, but resist. “Are you ready? I’ll be ready, ‘Cause now it’s time to let them know, we are ready, what about us?”

Now is the time to protect each other, unite with love and to never settle to injustice and prejudice.