Tin Omen

Today marks the thirtieth anniversary of the massacre in Tiananmen Square.

In April 1989, hundreds of students began gathering in the square, located at the center of China's capital city Beijing. By late May, perhaps over a million people had assembled in the square, engaging in pro-democracy demonstrations. Some began hunger strikes. Martial law was declared. Foreign news transmissions and satellite feeds began getting cut. Journalists were banished from the area.

On June 4, Chinese troops flanked the square, shooting into the crowds using live ammunition. While death tolls remain unknown, it is generally assumed the number of fatalities lay in the hundreds to 3,000 range or greater.

The reason for this post is twofold. Firstly, the events in Tiananmen Square formed a pivotal chapter, not just for China, but for the world. The events provided a powerful symbol and a clear reminder of how fearfully and jealously power protects its interests. And the potency of the symbol has survived. Though the leadership in Beijing would prefer we put it out of our minds—something they have diligently sought to achieve within their own country—the world has not forgotten.

Yet, we would do well to apply the lesson to our own situation. Power, in general, has its own set of interests that depends on public tolerance. Frederick Douglass was right when he said, "Power concedes nothing without a demand." Furthermore, it is important to bear in mind that power despises both: demands and concessions. And it will do what it can get away with in the meantime.

Secondly, there is a personal component. Tiananmen Square took place at about the time I was experiencing the very first glimmer of interest in, and frustration over, unjust political realities. Being 17 at the time, I can confidently say I didn't know much of anything. Even so, I felt something wasn't right, be it in China or the United States or anywhere else. Two thoughts began recurring: (1) Things don't have to be this way, and (2) I suspect that what I'm hearing people say—about politics, about economics, about history, about the Middle East, about US foreign policy, about corporations, etc.—is wrong. Both turned out to be correct.

For today's post, I wanted to share a song that was released not long after the events that spring. The music itself might be of limited appeal. However, I strongly recommend listening while reading the lyrics (see below). Though I have heard this song countless times, it produces chills with every listen.

The band is called Skinny Puppy, a Canadian group whose work is generally categorized as "industrial." Their song "Tin Omen" is about Tiananmen Square. It pays tribute, expresses rage, and in its own way offers a sense of defiance and hope.

Despite possessing no moral value, art can at its utmost provide inspiration or therapy. Thirty years ago, for me this song certainly supplied the former, and maybe even a bit of the latter. And still does. To this day, "Tin Omen" remains one of my favorite protest songs and political poems.

Keep the camera alive.

Lyrics to "Tin Omen"

[From the album Rabies (1989), by Skinny Puppy]


(All good people are asleep and dreaming)

Every truncheon hit
Misguided
A peoples army divided
United stance
Amped-out war dance
What a ride
Inner thought of non-violent rebellion outside dare to die stand and fight
Show faith return all the weapons
Government says use them right
Fixed action set in motion doubting amnesia potion

What to hide red carpet ride
Guessing right

(Ah ha ha)

The jokes on
Dark corner the square

(Ah ha ha)

You bathe once a week distorted
The viewpoint seldom seen
Way back in 68
Ohio, Kent State
Was nothing so great
Have or have not
Forcing the point
Shot in the back
Take it back
Downtrod soldier away
Flower power
Within
Kill me
Kill this way of life

(All good people are asleep and dreaming)

Unbeknown one by one they'll be coming down

Altogether sister machine gun
Automatic high

What a ride what a trip tripped over the candlestick
Tanks arrive
Fire wall got to keep the camera alive
Tell the world
Tell the world what's going on
Here
Warning shots are fired at the stomach chest wound coed falls

Amped out
Amped out
Amped out
Amped out
Changing guns for brooms the guards change to clean up crews
Don't bring me down.

(Ha ha ha)

The jokes on you
Dark corner the square

(Ha ha ha)

You bathe once a week distorted
The viewpoint seldom seen
Way back in 68 everything was so great
No way
Wrong date
Keep up the trade
Balanced charade
Closed-circuit truth
Used to remove
Keep the camera alive

(All good people are asleep and dreaming)

(What a head trip)