Choosing Failure: Society tells me to succeed, I stay "stuff-it!" 
 (*inspired by a noninspiring computer interfacing class*)

written March 25-26, 1997

God decided I should be born Canadian,
into the global upper class.
From childhood forces guided me to academia
taught me "how to think"
their way, not mine
how to match my answers to "the key"
Society told me "I was smart"
Society told me "I was destined to succeed"

So they put me in enriched classes
get ahead with "advanced placement"
I learned "two" languages instead of one
Right answers and grades are what really count
I bought the lie
That a letter could represent learning,
that a teacher could judge,
that they had the right.
I did "well" in school

Then I was told to find a "good" university
Apply everywhere, apply to a range
Society told me "choose carefully"
I ended up here

Once again, I was "smart"
A 4.0 disguises what I never learnt
I didn't skip classes, though I grew to hate them
I majored in capitalism
Economics: "the department of success"
ask ME how my stocks are doing

But I also rebelled
I read Abbie Hoffman as well as my text books
I borrowed Steal this Book on interlibrary loan
My best papers were radical
I lived and preached the revolution
Put up a thousand tax the rich posters Attended countless meetings
dissented on principle, dissented period.
I lived my hypocrisy

*****************************

So four years are gone
Now grad school is my future
I should investigate schools,
contact people "in the know",
apply to "the top".
My adviser said I could get in, get money, get lots
The GREs and me were a big hit
My advisor said I was bound to succeed
I applied to University Massachusetts in Marxist Econ

A month later 175 students took-over a UMass building
Stayed there six days and won
But I was meant to succeed, so they put me on their waiting list.
Now I'm off to NotreDame,
with the "top" award:
a "presidential fellowship".
more than I need, more than I deserve, more than I'll spend
they think I'll make a name for them
I hope it's a name they regret

So now my future is secure
I am blessed with all the advantages of  inequality
I am winning the rat race
I'm all ready to sell-out, to buy into the golden american dream.
Society says my success is guaranteed.

I say just wait
Money is but a tool and mine is a monkey wrench
You say savings account, I say bail
If I can think then I can criticize
If I open my mouth, then I will SCREAM!
If I find my heart, I can feel
If God's spirit inspires, then we'll be on the streets
If we get together, we can win.
If we all do get together, we will win.
My success means revolution
If I succeed, society is gonna fail.