Almost ten years to the day this workshop was held, there was an explosion of racial tension at Cronulla beach between white Australians Australians of Lebanese descent.

On this day, May 22nd 2014, 10 years later, Together For Humanity brought The Human Sound Project to create a song with a group of young people from Cronulla high and a group of young people largely of Lebanese background from Granville high.

We explored issues of sovereignty through storytelling – “what holds us back from being our best self” and created a song about our experiences using our voices and bodies as instruments.

Many smiles, much ice broken and a wonderful song was produced. These two groups will meet again for 2 more sessions and I believe this experience brought them closer together. Lets hope this unity will never be forgotten; hopefully their song will remain testament to that.

The song:

Lyrics:

Treat me for who I am, I’m not like other kids
My own mind is a maze, focused on a girl
I cant keep up with my own life

Like standing before an audience, not knowing what to say

The system of society is like a guy filming us, watching from a distance, taking our money
We push through school, pressured by friends, living up to the expectation of family
Like standing in front of an audience, not knowing what to say, while the media tells us what to do

When I don’t tell the truth, that stops me going to places
I walk off in a huff, doubting myself, can I do it?

Freedom to me is all that I need to be happy
Negative comments, they don’t understand me, I should just be myself
When people laugh when I do something wrong, I should just be myself

Like standing before an audience, not knowing what to say

Playstation for grand theft auto 5, never give up believe to acheive
I feel free when I go out to the bush with my family, I feel free when there is no bullying

Equality is paramount

Like standing before an audience, not knowing what to say
Like standing before an audience, not knowing what to say