Shameless Showtunes Post, Part 1

The video that I posted is called "Wheels of a Dream".  It's with the characters of Sarah and Coalhouse, talking about Coalhouse's car, their dreams of the future and with that, their dreams for their son.  If  you weren't too distracted by how gorgeously this song is rendered (completely live, and to date this, on the Rosie O'Donnell show in 1997), you can notice how the lyrics, once again, discuss our ideas of class and social structure.

"Any man can get where he wants to
If he's got some fire in his soul.
We'll see justice, Sarah,
And plenty of men
Who will stand up
And give us our due.
Oh, Sarah, it's more that promises.
Sarah, it must be true.
A country that let's a man like me
Own a car, raise a child, build a life with you..."

I think the most hearbreaking part is when he says "It  must be true."  Not will, but must.  H(w)e can't live without the idea of  having this possibility.  And then factoring this into the idea that Coalhouse, even though he fights the most for his due, is also the greatest victim of his class, until he's forced to act out (I'm of course, referencing the trashing of his car, his wife's death and his subsequent arson).  This idea is emphasized near the end, where he says

 "Then they will see me come out with my hands raised, and no further harm will come to any man from Coalhouse Walker, Jr."

and then, to confirm it, he makes a sudden movement, ensuring his death and proving that sometimes, you can do anything, but nothing happens until you convince others as well.

 The other video is called "Make Them Hear You" and it's Coalhouse's big dramatic death number.  (And also, everyone needs to listen to the entire soundtrack, I'm making my free post about that).  The title really says it all.  We'll see justice one day, but only if we all work for it, as equals.