In 1947 When Bernie Sanders was 7 1/2 years old Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein opened a new show on Broadway that spoke truths that are at the core of what Bernie is about two thirds of as century later. The show was called South Pacific and it was remarkable, not only because it dealt with racial justice but it also featured many memorable songs including one called Happy Talk.
Recent diaries (and debate performances) where Hillary Clinton and now Nancy Pelosi tell us that Bernie's ideas will never even be discussed because (enter your lame reason) . I find my blood pressure rising. Then the other day I heard someone comment that Bernie was a dreamer and this song came to mind.
Happy talk, keep talking happy talk, Talk about things you'd like to do, You gotta have a dream, if you don't have a dream, How you gonna have a dream come true?
Talk about a moon floating in de sky looking like a lily on a lake, Talk about a bird learning how to fly
Making all the music he can make Happy talk, keep talking' happy talk,
Talk about things you'd like to do, You gotta have a dream, if you don't have a dream, How you gonna have a dream come true
Talk about a boy saying to de girl: "Golly, baby, I'm a lucky cuss!" Talk about a girl saying to de boy: "You an' me is lucky to be us!" Happy talk, keep talking' happy talk,Talk about things you'd like to do, You gotta have a dream, if you don't have a dream,How you gonna have a dream come true?
If you don't talk happy and you never dream, Then you'll never have a dream come true.
This is the difference between Bernie and the “never ever come to pass” establishment. He has a dream of universal health care - I am sure he knows that he may never live to see some of those dreams come to fruition - but is is for sure that if you never dream then you will never have a dream come true.
I believe it also explains the overwhelming support Bernie has from young people. They need to have a dream in order to have a dream come true.
There is more to South Pacific than Happy Talk. Another of my favorite songs Sung by the character Lieutenant Cable, the song is preceded by a line saying racism is "not born in you! It happens after you’re born..."contains the line You’ve got to be taught to hate and fear
You've got to be taught To hate and fear,
You've got to be taught
From year to year,
It's got to be drummed
In your dear little ear You've got to be carefully taught.
You've got to be taught to be afraid Of people whose eyes are oddly made,
And people whose skin is a diff'rent shade, You've got to be carefully taught.
You've got to be taught before it's too late, Before you are six or seven or eight,
To hate all the people your relatives hate, You've got to be carefully taught!
Rodgers and Hammerstein took a huge risk with this show due to its controversial subject matter dealing with prejudice and felt so strongly on the subject that they insisted that there be no segregation permitted in the audiences — drastic for the 40’s.
The appeal of Bernie for me is that he has dreams of a better country and a better political system and he has invited us to share those dreams. I am only three years younger than Bernie and I have no illusion that it will be easy to achieve or that the goal will be fully reached in my lifetime, but I also know that not starting down the path is a guarantee that we will never get there. I’m in for my grandchildren.
Feel the Bern. Dream the Dream — that‘s how we are going to have the dream come true.