Das Por Cool

Lendakaris Muertos, a punk rock band known for their satirical and often politically charged lyrics, delivers a biting critique of superficial activism and performative coolness in their song 'Das Por Cool.' The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a person who adopts the outward appearance of a socially conscious individual but lacks genuine understanding or commitment to the causes they claim to support.

The song opens by describing someone who has tattoos and dreadlocks, dresses in tattered clothes, and appears to be poor, yet actually has substantial financial resources. This juxtaposition highlights the hypocrisy of adopting a 'cool' and 'alternative' appearance while benefiting from privilege and wealth. The line 'Tienes dos carreras y no te enteras de nada' (You have two degrees and don't understand anything) further emphasizes the disconnect between the individual's education and their actual awareness or engagement with social issues.

As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the person is more interested in the appearance of activism than in making a real difference. They have a wealthy sponsor ('papátrocinador'), a servant at home, and even their supposed humanitarian trip to the Congo is marred by the presence of bodyguards and luxury accommodations. The mention of joining Greenpeace and buying a Sting album, as well as following trends related to Mandela, Chiapas, and the Amazon, underscores the performative nature of their activism. The repeated refrain 'Y vas de cool, te crees muy cool, sólo sabes dar por cool' (You act cool, you think you're cool, you only know how to act cool) drives home the message that this person's actions are more about maintaining a fashionable image than effecting real change.

Lendakaris Muertos uses 'Das Por Cool' to call out the superficiality and hypocrisy of those who adopt the trappings of social consciousness without genuine commitment. The song serves as a reminder that true activism requires more than just appearances; it demands real understanding, effort, and sacrifice.