I fell in love with “Hope” by Emeli Sande the first time I heard it play on Pandora. Not only was I lured by the beautiful mellow tune of Sande’s single but also by the words which spoke everything I have been feeling, especially in relation to the “Black Lives Matter” movement. Sande collaborated with Alicia Keys in writing her single, “Hope” which was produced in her album “Our Version of Events” in February of 2012.
Sande’s album, as a whole, is very emotion-filled. The Scottish artist stated in an interview that she expressed in her album things she felt other people could not. Speaking specifically about the song “Hope” Sande shared that she and Keys wrote this song together by coming up with their own hopes for the world, hence the title.
After hearing this song, though, it seemed to express my exact sentiments concerning the issue of police brutality and my own hopes for a better world, a world in which black lives truly do matter—one in which they are not arbitrarily taken, especially by those with the responsibility to protect.
Unity rings out as a theme in this song. The singer expresses desires to make things right in the world in hopes that others feel the same. One important point about unity the song makes to me is that change cannot happen with just one person and it also cannot happen if we keep silent about pressing issues. The repeated line “I just hope I’m not the only one” strongly relays the message that divided we will fall.
“Hope” is also a cry for change. “I hope that the world stops raining, stops turning its back on the young.” There is a concern for future generations with the shallow state of our current world. This is a cry for change in behavior and mindset. Greed is mentioned in the song as a root cause of world issues, and the point is valid. We must not take advantage of each other because at the end of the day, we must be able to trust and depend on one another, or else no one is safe.
The only line in the song that I completely disagree with (and I realize that this song was not written with my context in mind) is the line that says “See nobody here is blameless I hope that we can fix all that we've done.” Sande’s “we” in this line refers to humankind, which includes everyone, whereas my “we” refers to the victims of both past and recent police brutality. The message this line sends (if you look at the song with my stated context) is that the victims are not innocent and have done wrongs which they need to fix. I could not disagree more.
This issue of blame because it is something I want to address. Everyone has internal issues and struggles with themselves that they need to work on, of course, but I do not think the victims can be blamed. The system is what is wrong. Some say “Oh, well [victim’s name] resisted arrest” or "Well he shouldn't have had [blank]." However, even with all the facts, I still cannot agree with faulting victims because, first of all, this would mean that in the United States of America in 2016 resisting arrest is now punishable by death. Anyone can see how this is a problem. Second, I believe there's no way a victim can be blamed when authorities outnumber the helpless victim. Finally, I believe there are milder means of getting cooperation from an individual without killing.
This is why discussion and cooperation are so important because part of the problem with this race issue is that we see in color so much now, instead of seeing people for who they truly are. This is why it is so important to break stereotypes and allow the real people inside to show. No one should fear a black man simply because he is a black man. Furthermore, we should be able to have faith in the people whose jobs it is to protect us and be confident that they will have our backs in dire situations.
Overall, “Hope” sets the mood for producing a change in mindset and a change of heart.
“I hope we start seeing forever instead of what we can gain in a day. I hope we start seeing each other cause don’t we all bleed the same?” Whether it is officers arbitrarily killing civilians or the other way around, all of it needs to stop. While I do believe in the cause of the “Black Lives Matter” movement, committing the same deeds in reverse is definitely not the way either.
It has come to my attention that some people feel intimidated by the phrase “Black Lives Matter,” but for these individuals, I want you to know there is no need to feel that way. It is just a cry for help from a hurting group of people.
I can also empathize with the reaction to state that all lives matter, which is true (or it should be). However, when a nation or a people ail from trials or oppression, you stand with them. You grieve with them. There is no need feel intimidated or to possibly invalidate the struggles of others because these and other issues are so real to people everywhere every single day.
“I hope we still have a heartbeat. I hope we don’t turn to stone.”
This phrase, to me, attempts to awaken love in hearts that are numb to the travesties of the world.
“I’m taking a chance on loving, I hope you will take it with me.”
This is the final plea of love and a call to action in the song.
As Sande reminds us, love is the way, and all we can do is unite in hope of a brighter future and a better world.
