- Title: Jesus Walks
- Singer: Kanye West
- Text type: Song
The song, “Jesus Walks” by Kanye West is extremely relevant to the theme of justice. It grasps the concepts of society’s stereotypes, racism and war within ourselves, which are topics that are tightly linked to justice. This song made me want to listen more as it intrigued me with the ideas that were brought up in it. Although I do not have the same religion as Kanye West, the topics within this song interested me and made me want to listen. I was able to sympathise with the African Americans the song is about, as nowadays there are still many cases where police are too harsh on young African Americans, on crimes they didn’t commit. Justice can be interpreted in many different ways in the song “Jesus Walks,” as it brings light to many people and things that deserve a form of justice. Whether that be social, commutative, distributive or legal justice. Throughout the song, Kanye West keeps referring to the phrase “Jesus Walks” through continuously repeating this phrase, he is saying that Jesus stands with everyone no matter their race, if they are good or bad, or their status in society. This shows justice as it brings light to the people who get discriminated against within society. It also provides them with a feeling of relief knowing that they have someone there to support them, and somebody that views everyone as equals. The point in the song where justice gets revealed to me the most is in the lyric “To the hustlers, killers, murderers, drug dealers, even the strippers (Jesus walks for them) To the victims of welfare feel we livin’ in Hell here, hell yeah (Jesus walks for them).” This Lyric reinforces the idea that Jesus is with everyone, and brings light to the discriminatory way these kinds of people are treated. Again, this shows justice because these people are the ones who suffer most in society, and get the most unfairly treated. Through Kanye bringing attention to them and saying that they are not alone is showing justice. This is because it is highlighting to the world that this behaviour is unfair. This attention gives these people a voice in the world to show they deserve equality and fairness. In a scene, it brings them justice as it allows the rest of the world to acknowledge the discriminatory behaviour, that goes on towards these certain races and types of people. This song also brings justice to the African Ameican people of America who feel discouraged and unloved, due to Kanye west bringing awareness to social justice imbalance in America. This is showing justice because all of the wrongs made by police, businesses, government, and White Americans are being pointed out in this song. This creates an opportunity for African Americans to feel like they have a voice in society, and allows the people who have done them wrong, to clear their moral compass by treating them fairly and equally. Although this song helps bring to light the justice many communities deserve, it also shows the imbalance of social justice there is at the moment in the world. This justice imbalance comes from the fact they have very little privileges, opportunities, and a fair chance to be wealthy. Through analysing and listening to the lyrics of this song, it makes me feel for people who are less privileged within society. This song is very relevant to the present world as although it came out in 2004, most of the topics within this song like racism, police brutality against African Americans, religion, and stereotypes are very prominent topics in the present day. Although I can’t relate to being a subject to any of these issues, it makes me understand the term “White Privilege.” There is a big difference in the opportunities white people are given over black people in the world. “Jesus walks” has taught me that justice cant always resolve a problem. There is so much history with discrimination, that if everyone who has been discriminative is served justice it may anger them even more. The key to a change in society so that everyone is treated fairly, is people being able to acknowledge their wrongs to clear their moral compass. This means they can regain their good morals by changing their attitude. Another thing I have learnt about the concept of justice is that sometimes there is an imbalance of it, that can’t be fixed unless people are willing to put into action things like equality, and fairness.