Lessons for Our Children -

There is a well-known Rodgers and Hammerstein song from the musical South Pacific called "You've Got to Be Carefully Taught." The song was published in 1949, just as the Civil Rights Movement was gaining momentum. African-American soldiers had fought in World War II to defend freedom and democracy, but when they returned home they faced legislated segregation in many parts of America -- and de facto segregation in most of America.

Rodgers and Hammerstein added their voices to the growing consensus that racism was evil and that it needed to end in America, at least in law -- and hopefully, in time, also in the hearts of Americans. Sung by the character Lieutenant Cable, the song is preceded by a lyric saying racism is "not born in you! It happens after you're born..." The song begins:

 

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 different 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!

You've got to be carefully taught!