Michael Jackson - They don't care about us
topic: social issues, violence
1. warmer - In pairs, try to list the social issues that are effecting your country.
Are these issues only local problems or global problems as well?
2. 1st listening - Watch the video clip.
While watching try to identify the different forms of violence the clip shows.
3. 2nd Listening - Complete the lyrics.
Michael Jackson - They Don't Really Care About Us
[Verse 1] Skin head, dead head, everybody gone bad Situation, aggravation, everybody allegation In the suite, on the news, everybody dog food Bang bang, shot dead, everybody's (1)___________________ [Hook] All I wanna say is that they don't really care about us All I wanna say is that they don't really care about us [Verse 2] Beat me, hate me, you can never (2)__________________ Will me, thrill me, you can never kill me Jew me, sue me, everybody do me Kick me, kike me, don't you black or white me [Hook] [Bridge 1] Tell me what has become of my life I have a wife and two children who love me I am the victim of police (3)___________________, now I'm tired of bein' the victim of hate You're ripping me of my pride, oh, for God's sake I look to heaven to fulfill its (4)_________________, set me free [Verse 3] Skin head, dead head, everybody gone bad Trepidation, speculation, everybody allegation In the suite, on the news, everybody dog food Black male, black mail, throw your brother in jail [Hook] Tell me what has become of my rights Am I (5)________________ because you ignore me? Your proclamation promised me free (6)______________, now I'm tired of bein' the victim of shame They're throwing me in a class with a bad name I can't believe this is the land from which I came You know I do really hate to say it The (7)_______________ don't wanna see But if Roosevelt was livin' He wouldn't let this be, no, no
Skin head, dead head, everybody gone bad Situation, speculation, everybody litigation Beat me, bash me, you can never trash me Hit me, kick me, you can never get me [Hook] Some things in life they just don't wanna see But if Martin Luther was livin', he wouldn't let this be Skin head, dead head, everybody gone bad Situation, (8)_____________, everybody allegation In the suite, on the news, everybody dog food Kick me, strike me, don't you wrong or right me
What social issues does he sing about in the song?
4. Vocabulary work
Find the equivalents of the following expressions in the text:
1. worsening of a situation -
2. accusation -
3. to force sb to do sg -
4. to excite sb, to fire up -
5. to bring legal charges agains sb
6. to accomplish, to achieve -
7. anxiety, worry -
8. to extort money from sb by the use of threats -
9. a manifesto, a decree -
10. a case in court
11. to hit, punch sb -
5. Read about the background of the song:
"They Don't Care About Us" is the fourth single from Michael Jackson's album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, released on March 31, 1996
The song remains one of the most controversial pieces Jackson ever composed. In the US, media scrutiny surrounding anti-Semitic lyrics were the catalyst for Jackson issuing multiple apologies and re-recording the song with altered lyrics. The singer countered allegations of anti-Semitism, arguing that reviews had misinterpreted the context of the song, either unintentionally or deliberately.
The New York Times reported the song contained racist and anti-Semitic content on June 15, 1995, just a day before the album's release. The publication highlighted the lyrics, "Jew me, sue me, everybody do me/ Kick me, kike me, don't you black or white me. Jackson responded directly to the publication, stating:
“The idea that these lyrics could be deemed objectionable is extremely hurtful to me, and misleading. The song in fact is about the pain of prejudice and hate and is a way to draw attention to social and political problems. I am the voice of the accused and the attacked. I am the voice of everyone. I am the skinhead, I am the Jew, I am the black man, I am the white man. I am not the one who was attacking. It is about the injustices to young people and how the system can wrongfully accuse them. I am angry and outraged that I could be so misinterpreted.”
scrutiny – close examination
prejudice – a belief without basis
unintentionally – not done on purpose
deliberately - intentionally
controversial – disputed, questionable
6. Discussion questions
1. What is associated with skinheads today? Do they cause troubles in your country?
2. What would you say about the quality of the press in your country? Is bad journalism a problem is your country?
3. "THEY don't really care about us... " Who does that they refer to? Is it true in your country's case?
4. Does police brutality cause a problem in your country? Have you heard about any cases in different places?
5. What do you think is behind these lines? "Black male, black mail, throw your brother in jail?"
6. "If Martin Luther was living, he wouldn't let this be" - What does Martin Luther King represent? What was he an advocate of?
7. "It is about the injustices to young people and how the system can wrongfully accuse them. - M.J" What injustices do young people have to face in your country? Is this song only about a social issue? How could it be interpreted in the light of M.J's allegations (he was accused of paedophilia)? [if !supportLineBreakNewLine]
WORKSHEET - T version [endif]
