Paradigm
Ani DiFranco Lyrics

I was born to two immigrants
I was born to parents who came to this country to pursue a better life and to contribute to society.

Who knew why they were here
My parents understood the value of their citizenship and were committed to fulfilling their responsibilities as citizens.

They were happy to pay taxes
My parents recognized the importance of contributing to the greater good and were not only willing but happy to pay their taxes.

For the schools and roads
They understood that taxes were used to support community infrastructure such as schools and roads.

They took it seriously
Being active and engaged in the community was not seen as a chore, but as a privilege and responsibility.

Just like a job of citizenry
Engagement in the community was comparable to a job that required commitment and effort.

My mother went campaigning door to door
My mother was actively involved in the political process, seeking to effect change at a grassroots level.

And holding to her hand was me
I was fortunate enough to accompany my mother on her campaign efforts and was exposed to the importance of democratic participation at a young age.

Cause I was just a girl in a room full of women
As a young girl, I found myself surrounded by other women who were actively involved in building communities and supporting democracy.

Licking stamps and laughing
Despite the serious work they were doing, there was a sense of camaraderie and joy amongst the women.

I remember the feeling of community blooming
The sense of community that emerged from these efforts was palpable and deeply satisfying.

Of democracy happening
Through my mother's efforts, I witnessed firsthand how democracy is built and maintained through the actions of its citizens.

But even though my parents were cool
Though my parents were admirable and involved citizens, there were still things I needed to learn and understand for myself.

I had to teach myself to see
I recognized the need to develop my own perspective and understanding of the world around me.

All that stuff that got lost on its way to church
There were aspects of our shared values and morality that sometimes seemed to get left behind on the way to religious institutions.

All that stuff that got lost on its way to school
Similarly, some of the core values of education and learning were sometimes lost in the school system.

All that stuff that got lost on its way to the house of my family
In our day-to-day lives and within familial relationships, certain values and priorities were sometimes overlooked or not fully appreciated.

But something was not lost on me
Despite these difficulties, I remained committed to understanding and appreciating the important aspects of my life and my community.

Teach myself to see each of us
I worked hard to develop empathy and understanding for all individuals in society.

Through the limbs of forgiveness
Forgiveness was a key component in my efforts to understand and relate to others.

Like we're stuck with each other, god forbid
I recognized that despite our differences, we must work together to build and support strong communities.

Teach myself to smile
I worked to develop a positive and friendly demeanor towards all individuals, regardless of their background or views.

And stop and talk to whole other color kids
I made a conscious effort to engage and listen to individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Teach myself to be new in an instant like the truth
I worked to develop an open-minded and flexible perspective, always willing to learn and change my views based on new information.

Is accessible at any time
I recognized that knowledge and understanding were constantly available to me and that I could always continue to learn and grow.

Teach myself its never ever one or the other
I recognized that there were often many valid perspectives on important issues, and sought to appreciate and understand a range of viewpoints.

It's a paradox in every paradigm
I recognized that seemingly contradictory values and perspectives were often present within different cultural, religious, and social contexts.

In my chest pocket was my house key
As a young person, I was growing more independent and responsible, taking on more mature roles and responsibilities.

And my quarter to buy lunch
I was still very much a young person, with simple needs and desires for sustenance and connection with others.

And on that big yellow bus with my sign that said sucker
Despite my growing sense of confidence and independence, I was still subject to the norms and expectations of my peer group.

And I was off to the days suckering punch
Despite occasional difficulties and challenges, I remained committed to making the most of every day and finding joy in small moments.

But there are so many artists who would fall into magnet school
I recognized the value of education and the important role that art and creativity plays in shaping our society and communities.

And I remember thinking that the long hair lady who called herself a poet was particularly cool
I was inspired and fascinated by artists and poets, recognizing the important role that they played in shaping our society and communities.

Someone stood up and gestured to a forest of options
I was exposed to a range of perspectives and opportunities through various influential individuals and experiences.

And I found my path to joy through those trees
Through exploration and self-discovery, I found my own passions and interests that brought me a sense of fulfillment and joy.

But I had to teach myself to keep coming back
I recognized the importance of persistence and consistent effort in achieving my goals and maintaining a sense of balance in my life.

To the view from a field from right in the middle of my peace
I found peace and contentment through developing my own perspective and engaging with the world and individuals around me in a meaningful way.

Oh yes
I am reflecting back on my journey and the lessons that I have learned along the way.

I was just a girl in a room full of women licking stamps and laughing
I am grateful for the strong women who have guided and supported me throughout my journey, and for the sense of community that has emerged from our shared efforts.

I remember the feeling of community brewing
The sense of community that emerged from these efforts was palpable and deeply satisfying.

Of democracy happening
Through my mother's efforts, I witnessed firsthand how democracy is built and maintained through the actions of its citizens.