People moving out, people moving in.Why, because of the color of their skin.Run, run, run but you sure can't hide.That is how a favorite Temptations song, “Ball of Confusion,” from the late 1960s and early '70s starts out. For us it was really the first rap song but isn't recognized as such.The point of using the lyrics is to point out how things really haven't changed or else they have fully cycled back to those hot summer days of the '60s with a war raging, cities burning, social injustice in the news and political beliefs being used to fan the flames and create unrest.

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.Vote for me and I'll set you free.Rap on brother rap on.Politics were in play and the same promises were being spouted. It would be another half century before mail-in votes would merit their own verse.

Well, the only person talking about love thy brother is the preacher.And it seems nobody's interested in learning but the teacher.Segregation, determination, demonstration, integrationAggravation, humiliation, obligation to our nation.Ball of confusion, that's what the world is today.It is almost haunting how the same words are so prevalent today, although we aren't sure some preachers aren't falling short of the “love-thy-brother” line and instead pushing into politics.

The sale of pills are at an all-time high (opioids)Young folks walking round with their heads in the skyThe cities ablaze in the summertime (Seattle, Portland, Kenosha)And the beat goes on.It's most fitting to explain 2020 with the country and Butler County losing focus on opioids because of the pandemic.

Evolution, revolution, gun control, sound of soul.Shooting rockets to the moon and kids growing up too soon.Politicians say more taxes will solve everything and the band played on.Maybe evolution has been replaced by global warming, but revolution and gun control are still at the heart of our social struggles. We have decided that we need to restart the moon landings, and politicians still want more taxes.

Fear in the air, tension everywhere.Unemployment rising fast, the Beatles new record a gas.And the only safe place to live is on an Indian reservation.And the band played on.It is amazing that it doesn't matter how much time goes by, musicians and artists still seem to correctly capture what is happening in the world around us and point out clearly what is wrong with it.

Eve of destruction, tax deduction, city inspectors, bill collectors.Mod clothes in demand population out of hand.Suicide, too many bills, hippies moving to the hills.People all over the world are shouting end the war.And the band played on.Think about it. Have we changed at all? And please wear your mask.

— RV