The fact that racism still exists is something that everyone has to deal with but also something that everyone can change. As a community we need to make it known that racism will not be accepted. In the world today, racism is becoming a bigger part or many people's lives for whites, blacks and other ethnic groups that aren't major in their area. In the song "Drowning" by Hootie and the Blowfish, the lead singer Darius Rucker expresses his feelings in a way where people of any race can relate to. Using what may be his personal experiences in life, he quotes in his song deep feelings about racism and what it has become in today's society.
A point in Rucker's song that really stands out is his reference to the rebel flag. He mentions "Why is there a rebel flag hanging from the state house walls". Not too long ago there was actually a large controversy over the fact that the rebel flag was still hanging outside the walls of the South Carolina state building. People black and white alike protested the fact that this is a modern era and one that should rid itself of its historic ties. After all, the rebel flag was last used in the civil war between the North and the seceded South where southern states like South Carolina wanted not to abolish slavery because it helped the economy. The downside and unmoral fact was that they were slaves and were owned as property. At the completion of the war, the Emancipation Proclamation was instated, creating everyone as equal beings. Yet as one can see through the words of Rucker, racism has not left our world. "Some fat racist living in Chicago" is a prime example that even though the civil war is over, there is still an ongoing struggle in both the North and the South. .
Furthermore, the word "hate" is mentioned many times in the song. A listener may believe that an emphasis on hate might bring about awareness towards racism. The part in the song where he states, "Why tell me why is that something you want to teach your son?" asks listeners why they would spread their outdated ideas of hate on to future generations.
