I have been listening to Child Cudi’s Pursuit of Happiness on repeat for fairly a while. Truly, its been one among my favourite songs to blast within the automotive on a sunny day and I at all times take heed to it whereas figuring out. Initially, I related to the upbeat rhythm and the journey towards happiness that we’re all on. Not too long ago, nonetheless, the lyrics started sounding extra grim to me.
I used to be first launched to this tune by my teenage son, I are inclined to gravitate in direction of his playlists. Enjoying this monitor made me really feel nearer to him as I think about the magnitude of Cudi’s phrases in a seventeen-year-old’s thoughts:
Dwelling my life, getting our goals
Folks informed me to gradual my roll
I am screaming out, fuck that
I at all times felt a way of empowerment, singing “fuck that” as I drove with the wind in my hair, quantity further excessive, pumped to proceed dwelling my life and by no means slowing my roll it doesn’t matter what others consider me. I, too, am within the pursuit of happiness, and listening to this tune for the primary few dozen instances reassured me I’d get there quickly if I continued to reside my life, my manner.
The opposite day, it occurred to me that this tune is admittedly unhappy, regardless of its catchy beats.
All the pieces that shines ain’t at all times gonna be gold, hey
Actually, little is what it appears to be on the floor. Cudi wrongly assumes {that a} glamorous life ridden with extreme alcohol and drug utilization would discover him happiness, however he later admits within the tune that he’s improper. Equally, many people are inclined to gravitate in direction of something sparkly -often instances our pursuit of happiness turns to materialism to fill a void.
I do not count on happiness from issues. Sporting designer garments does not make me happier, it simply makes me really feel prettier. Nonetheless, I do are inclined to get lured by shiny individuals – particularly those that dangle expressions of affection towards me; I assume it is the Leo in me who falls for this entice. Or possibly I are inclined to venture as a result of after I inform somebody I like them, I truly actually do love them so the belief is that others are as real as I’m. I dare tweak Cudi’s lyrics to:
Everybody that shines ain’t at all times gonna be gold, hey.
There are roughly 15 million Jews on this planet and 1.8 billion Muslims. In keeping with Brigitte Gabriel, a Christian Lebanese girl whose life was turned the wrong way up by Islamic radicals, 20% of the Muslim inhabitants is radicalized. That is a load of militant Muslims full of vile hatred in direction of Jews or anybody who stands with Israel. Jews want the voices of our gentile mates, who declare to like us, to assist us come near matching the lots of of thousands and thousands of voices which can be protesting for the eradication of our land and our individuals. “I like you”. Do you? If I’m surrounded by a lot love, why do I really feel so alone? I’ve a handful of extraordinarily supportive non-Jewish mates however as an individual who takes satisfaction in having many “mates” and understanding many individuals, a handful versus the various I do know is equal to the huge distinction in inhabitants of Jews versus Muslims on this planet. I really feel extraordinarily alone regardless of there being 2.4 billion Christians on this planet whom the Bible teaches to relentlessly defend Israel. Nearly all of the non-Jews I do know have despatched a form textual content or two. They imply effectively however they do not really perceive what it’s like to look at rallies calling for the destruction of your individuals in response to probably the most brutal massacres towards Jews because the Holocaust, they do not perceive the selections now we have needed to make as dad and mom as our kids apply to high schools the place nearly none really feel secure for Jewish college students proper now, they do not grasp the excruciating ache that comes with their silence whereas Jews worry each day that we’re on the verge of a second Holocaust. So, as a substitute, with the perfect intentions, they inform you they love you and shine their pearly whites in an tried smile to console you.
Everybody that shines ain’t at all times gonna be gold, hey.
USC professor John Strauss has been banned from campus after saying “Hamas are murderers. That’s all they’re. Everybody must be killed, and I hope all of them are killed.” Is there one thing improper with wanting terrorists lifeless? Apparently, when you find yourself Jewish, you possibly can’t want dying upon terrorists or you should have the Professional-Palestinian/Anti-Zionist/antisemtic physique have you ever fired. The place are our non-Jewish mates serving to Professor Strauss get his job again? There are simply too few Jews in comparison with the rapidly rising Nazis of 2023 to battle these injustices on their very own.
Inform me what about dreamin’ dreamin’
You do not actually learn about nothin’, nothin’
Inform me what about them night time terrors each night time
5 AM chilly sweats, waking as much as the sky
Cudi suffers from night time sweats as his extreme alcohol and drug consumption depart his physique. I can relate to the nightmares and 5:00 am night time sweats, as I dream a couple of ten-month-old child being held hostage by Hamas terrorists and a four-year-old little lady held captive for 50 days after witnessing each her dad and mom being murdered. I too can’t sleep nowadays. My goals are additionally shattered.
Jewish owned companies in america and Europe are being vandalized regularly, the President of AIPAC’s house was visited by protestors who used smoke bombs on his property, a trainer in New York Metropolis was nearly attacked by a mob of teenagers who discovered a submit on social media of her attending a pro-Israel rally, a Jewish man was killed by a violent Professional-Palestinian protestor in Los Angeles, 1000’s of protestors in Australia screamed “gasoline the Jews”, Armenia’s solely synagogue was burnt down, an Austrian synagogue was vandalized, Jewish school college students have been threatened on nearly each campus … All this in lower than two months (and there are many different incidents that I don’t embrace right here).
I am on the pursuit of happiness and I do know
All the pieces that shine ain’t at all times gonna be gold, hey
I will be fantastic as soon as I get it, yeah, I will be good
Like Cudi , I too am in denial believing that if Jews get extra help my disappointment will dissipate after I effectively know the sort of help Jews want is not coming. Cudi and I are each in seek for that “factor” that may make our issues go away. Whereas he sings about being self-destructive and feeling empty, turning to medication and alcohol to fill his void, I too really feel empty and am desperately looking for that “factor” to make me really feel complete once more. There was a nagging sense of vacancy because the massacres of October seventh that I am unable to shake off.
We do not want “I like you’s”. What Jews want from their non-Jewish mates is to rally with us, to jot down their congressmen and senators voicing help for Israel, signing the lots of of related petitions which can be going round, calling universities and condemning them for failing their Jewish college students. That is what we want: motion, not phrases. We can’t win this battle with out others leaping within the battle with us, our inhabitants is simply tiny in comparison with our enemy’s; should you take a look at the numbers you may rapidly perceive that is an unattainable battle to win with out robust allies.
Sadly, I do know that as I signal petitions, my title turns into public and I change into a Jewish goal. I do know that being affiliated with many pro-Israel organizations make me a goal too. I additionally know that after I write faculties that my son has utilized to and rebuke them for failing Jewish college students that I danger his possibilities of acceptances.
Wanting forward no turning again
If I fall, if I die
Know I cherished it to the fullest
If I fall, if I die
Know I lived and missed some bullets
As soon as upon a time I listened to Pursuit of Happiness and felt overtaken with pleasure and hope. These days I discover myself sobbing as I sing alongside.
I will be fantastic as soon as I get it, yeah, I will be good
