African And White
China Crisis
A Feverish Call for Unity: Understanding 'African And White' by China Crisis
China Crisis's song 'African And White' delves into themes of racial unity and the pervasive nature of prejudice. The lyrics juxtapose 'Africana, African and white,' suggesting a closeness between different races that is often unrecognized. This line highlights the potential for unity and understanding, yet it also acknowledges the silence and inaction that can perpetuate division. The phrase 'we all run the risk of to remain silent' underscores the danger of ignoring racial issues, implying that silence can be as harmful as overt prejudice.
The recurring line 'Life is a fever in Israel' serves as a powerful metaphor. A fever typically symbolizes a state of heightened tension or crisis, suggesting that life in Israel, a region historically fraught with conflict, is in a constant state of turmoil. This metaphor extends to the broader human experience, as the repetition of 'Our life is just a fever' implies that this feverish state is not confined to one region but is a universal condition. The fever represents the ongoing struggles and conflicts that humanity faces, particularly those related to racial and cultural differences.
The song also calls for a change, emphasizing the need for 'faith and hostility' to bring about certainty. This paradoxical combination suggests that both belief in a better future and a confrontational stance against prejudice are necessary to achieve true change. The question 'could you ever recover from this prejudice' challenges listeners to reflect on the deep-seated nature of their biases and the difficulty of overcoming them. Ultimately, 'African And White' is a poignant commentary on the need for racial unity and the persistent, feverish state of human conflict.