Social Issues 1/3 Imagine, By John Lennon

Imagine there's no Heaven 
It's easy if you try 
No hell below us 
Above us only sky 
Imagine all the people 
Living for today 

Imagine there's no countries 
It isn't hard to do 
Nothing to kill or die for 
And no religion too 
Imagine all the people 
Living life in peace 

You may say that I'm a dreamer 
But I'm not the only one 
I hope someday you'll join us 
And the world will be as one 

Imagine no possessions 
I wonder if you can 
No need for greed or hunger 
A brotherhood of man 
Imagine all the people 
Sharing all the world 

You may say that I'm a dreamer 
But I'm not the only one 
I hope someday you'll join us 
And the world will live as one 




The thing I like most about the song is the overlying message: that there is an alternative to this world we live in. It is a hopeful song. If we were to join together and agree upon peace, the world would be a much better place- so what's stopping us? Why do we hesitate to mend our dysfunctional ways? I think that we should respond to this song, because what it says is true. The human race has an unforgettable past of jealousy, greed, vanity, violence, and abuse. Our ways are obviously not correct if we are the one species that will kill each other for emotional reasons over money or status. We are the only race that breathes in smoke intentionally, we are the only race that exposes ourselves to harm just so we can escape the life we have created for ourselves. We are the only race that creates judgements, and decided to hurt each other because of the way the victim looks. 
So why do we do this? Why do we pollute? And judge? And corrupt? And abuse? Why are we selfish? Why can't we embrace that we need to respond to one of the many wake-up calls we've received?  I think it's clear we can't answer these questions. So why don't we respond, right now? The thing is, it will take everyone to respond to this cause, and a lot of people don't want to embrace the truth. They make up stories, and lies. And our world- the only one we have- is falling apart because of us. Maybe the alternative John Lennon talks about is something we ought to look into.