The case of Yertle is, arguably, the most unsettling. The line at the middle of the controversy could be the slogan for the human rights movement, the welfare state and just about every progressive organisation today: "I know up on top you are seeing great sights, but down here on the bottom, we too should have rights" (Yertle the Turtle).
The global economy lays in tatters, Mother Nature drowns in toxins and tyrannical governments are being replaced by tyrannical governments (and not without a little help from the so-called democracies!). Seems to me that this line might be the most apropos statement for 2012.
But maybe Seuss’ words are too strong for those blood thirsty capitalists in BC…what?!? Hey, at least we can always count on Canadians to provide us with glaring contradictions!
At a time when we’re searching for answers from businessfolk, economists, politicians and sundry actors who got us into these messes, perhaps we might shift gears: artists, teachers and young people could help get us through these storms. In honour of the literary sage known as Dr. Seuss:
EASY MONEY
It’s easy to think I'm pushing for leftist reform,
But I'm just sayin' that Seuss got mad form.
Flip through his pages and read the full story,
Or you'll be lost chasing ducets, ending up rather sorry.
From Yertle to Lorax to green eggs too,
There's wisdom in his pages, just ask a Who.
We need more artists like that Dr. Seuss guy,
He knows things like who, what, where and why.
If we listen closely,
He’ll even tell us about money.
And what would a rhyming humpoopala say,
Something dry or something gay?
We can expect from him the simple truth,
Even if capitalists think it uncouth.
Evil may not be found in the pursuit of cash,
It’s just that there’s more to life than upping your stash.
{w}
by Kondwani Mwase
