Activist
The Palomas Lyrics

The lyrics to The Palomas’ song “Activist” are confrontational and provocative, addressing the frustration and exhaustion that can come with fighting for social justice. The repetition of the line “I wanna be a terrorist” is not meant to be taken literally, but instead is a hyperbolic expression of the anger and disillusionment felt by activists who feel they are not making progress. The use of the word “terrorist” is intentional, and may be seen as a commentary on how individuals or groups that fight for social justice are often painted as “terrorists” or “extremists” by the state or those in power.

The following lines, “I’m so tired of protests, I’m so tired of rallying, I’m tired of fighting for my rights by holding up signs,” further emphasize the exhaustion felt by activists who feel their protests are not being heard. The line “Because nothing seems to be happening” reveals the frustration felt by these activists who feel as though their efforts are futile. Ultimately, the repetition of “I don’t wanna be an activist anymore” highlights the desperation felt by those who have been fighting for change for a long time but have yet to see meaningful progress.

One interpretation of this song could be that the use of the word “terrorist” is a commentary on how the state or mainstream media may label activists that don’t use more mainstream tactics as “extremists” or “terrorists.” The song could be a call to action for individuals or groups to consider more extreme tactics in order to effect change. However, it’s important to note that the lyrics do not condone violence or terrorism in any way.