In This Land
Downcast Lyrics

To be American is to be ethnocentric; over confident of a murderous culture.
Being American often involves being overly self-centered and prideful of a culture that has perpetuated violence and death.

It is to be ahistorical; versed in brazen lies condoning a present brought by an insidious past.
Americans often lack an understanding or acknowledgement of their country's past and the negative impact it has had on the present day.

It is to be cultured in violence, brought from birth to hatred for personal gain.
Violence is a prevalent and accepted aspect of American culture, taught from a young age in the pursuit of personal gain.

It is to be mediated, the agenda of thought given by a corporate hierarchy.
Media and information are controlled by large corporations, leading to a limited and biased understanding of the world.

It is to be apolitical, entrusting elite to rule in a nominal democracy.
Many Americans abstain from politics, often leading to the wealthy and powerful making decisions on behalf of the people in a flawed democracy.

In this land, this heart, Goliath lies drugged complacent.
Apathy and complacency have taken hold in America, leading to inaction and a lack of will to make meaningful change.

From these eyes blinded to truth greed gleams grey.
The pursuit of greed and self-interest has blinded many Americans to the truth and the negative consequences of their actions.

From these clubbed hand comes the dark grace to power over all.
Violence and force are often used to gain and maintain power in America, perpetuating inequality and oppression.

In this land rest the will to destroy the world, in each of us lies the will to destroy ourselves.
America's actions and culture have the potential to cause immense harm to the world, while individuals also contribute to their own destruction through their actions and inaction.

There are blood stains on our past. Cleanse them.
America's history is stained with violence and oppression, and it is necessary to acknowledge and work to rectify those injustices.

To be American is to be patriotic; proud of a culture replete with apathy.
Being American often involves a sense of pride for a culture that perpetuates apathy and inaction.

It is to be privileged, given the right of consumption and destruction without self-expense.
Being American often affords privilege and the ability to consume and destroy without taking personal responsibility for the consequences of those actions.

It is to be controlled, dictated ruthlessly by a lack of alternative ideas.
Americans often find themselves controlled by a lack of diverse ideas and perspectives, perpetuating a narrow-minded worldview.

It is to be unquestioning, the precepts of progress governing an insatiable lust for convenience.
The pursuit of convenience and progress often leads to a blind acceptance of societal norms and practices, without questioning their impact or ethics.

It is to be hypocritical, versed in rhetoric of equality while practicing injustice.
Americans often espouse the beliefs of equality and justice, while simultaneously perpetuating systems of oppression and inequality.

History will prove us to be guilty. We will not change before we are judged
America's past and present actions will ultimately bring judgment and condemnation, yet there is little evidence of a will to change or rectify those wrongs.