They Never See Us As Teachers (featuring MC Munk and Big Naz)

from Filter Bubble (deluxe) by Mat Ward

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about

This track was inspired by an interview I did with Aboriginal journalist Allan Clarke, who said he had to stop working at the Sydney Morning Herald's Sunday paper because he could not tolerate the way they reported on his people.
bit.ly/2P3WGo4
The track features rappers MC Munk and Big Naz from South West Syndicate. I asked MC Munk if he'd like to rap on it because he is a long-time supporter of non-corporate media. He is also known as Munkimuk, "the grandfather of Aboriginal hip-hop", an extraordinary multi-instrumentalist and record producer who speaks multiple languages, including several Indigenous ones. Munkimuk has had No 1 hits in the Philippines and Thailand, so it was an honour when he not only rapped on the track, but also got his band mate Big Naz, a Lebanese-Australian, to rap on it, lending it another dimension. Ramming home the line, "they never see us as teachers", Munkimuk then taught me how to mix the track better, in a video that he sent me of himself mixing the song.
Here's an interview I did with Munkimuk:
social.shorthand.com/RealTalkTheBook/n26Ik6fSkAc/munkimuk

lyrics

They always see us as a problem
They always see us as a problem to be solved
They never see us as teachers
They always see us as people to be taught

(MC Munk:)
We be living in a world where now the news is interactive
(Big Naz:)
This is the world where shocking news it is attractive
(MC Munk:)
Opinions they are formed and they be influencing the public
(Big Naz:)
Focusing on violence and rhetoric that's ugly
(MC Munk:)
Just stories about tragedy and misery is needed
No positivity and no reports on our achievements
(Big Naz:)
These negative stereotypes are never forgotten
(MC Munk:)
Why's that my brother?
(Big Naz:)
They always see us as a problem

They always see us as a problem
They always see us as a problem to be solved
They never see us as teachers
They always see us as people to be taught

(MC Munk:)
We're teachers
(Big Naz:)
And we're coppers
(MC Munk:)
And we're lawyers
(Big Naz:)
And we're doctors
(MC Munk:)
Successful in every field, we're deadly
They cannot stop us
(Big Naz:)
But we're still a problem to be solved
(MC Munk:)
Our trust in the government and the media's dissolved
(Big Naz:)
The right demonise us
(MC Munk:)
And spread their propaganda
(Big Naz:)
And the left victimise us
(MC Munk:)
And don't really understand us
(Big Naz:)
Then they argue with each other
(MC Munk:)
Over who is wrong or right
(Big Naz:)
Excluded from the conversation
(MC Munk:)
We're still being stereotyped
(Big Naz:)
Yeahhhhh!

They always see us as a problem
They always see us as a problem to be solved
They never see us as teachers
They always see us as people to be taught

credits

from Filter Bubble (deluxe), released January 24, 2020

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Mat Ward Australia

Mat Ward blends future bass, drum and bass, punk and politics to come up with a different sound. He has released albums about financial markets, Apple, Elon Musk, surveillance, the media, Mars, protest chants and the climate. He also writes books and a music column that has been shared by the likes of Ru Paul, Chuck D, Tom Morello and Al Jourgensen. ... more

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