A local youngster has penned a poetical protest track criticising the government’s out-of-touch approach to young people in Britain.
Jamie Chapman, from Birmingham, has created a music video portraying a bleak view of his home city as he reflects on how current education policies are negatively affecting the future prospects of students.In the performance piece, titled Taught from a Texbook, the 21-year-old voices his concerns about the rise in tuition fees and the loss of the Education Maintenance Allowance, with the lyrics:
‘College will help you on your way, You will need a map to find that EMA; And if university is where you’re off to, Nine grand a year? You’d be stupid not to.’
Also explored in the recording are themes related to careers, the rat race, university degrees being wasted due to a lack of opportunity as well as a tribute to the lyrics of contemporary music artist Frank Turner.
Explaining why he wrote the song, Jamie said he wasn’t attacking individuals who are struggling to find work but rather speaking out against the legislation and financial climate that is creating this struggle for young people.
“My reason for doing this was to express my views on certain issues, but mainly to encourage people to think a bit deeper into their lives and life in general. To think outside the box and to not always follow what they’re told is the best path to take,” he said.
“I think university can be helpful to some, but disastrous for others. Some people go to university as they have a genuine passion or interest they wish to pursue as a career, which works well. However, some people go to university just for the sake of getting a degree that’s not related to their passion or future.”
He also clarified he wasn’t attacking so-called “McJobs” in the lyrics ‘You have your degree, whoop-de-f***ing-doo; that job at McDonalds is waiting for you’, and felt those who pay for a complete education should expect more than menial labour work.
“I don’t think working in a fast food outlet is a bad thing either, I just feel people that spend thousands of pounds on an education and study hard for years deserve to be in a job they have studied towards.”
Having already explored youth service cuts and unemployment in previous social action videos, Jamie hopes his current film can provide a voice and platform for ordinary young people in the city.
“I guess the main thing I want to get across with the video is that everyone should be able to live a happy life. I know we don’t live in a perfect world but I really dislike seeing people ‘trapped’ within the system and unhappy to be working the same job every day just to get by.
“So think about your life if you’re not happy, and then make a positive change before one day it’s too late.”
You can watch Jamie’s Taught from a Textbook video at his online channel www.youtube.com/ChapperzTV and below:
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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0MC657iQbw?rel=0]
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LYRICS
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Taught from a Textbook
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We’re taught from a text book, from a very young age
To stay within the lines and to not go off the page
They tell us that we’re free and have got it made
“Follow the plan and you’ll earn an honest wage”
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In your teens, they build your dreams
With tales of high flying careers
But all is not as it seems
And will probably end in tears
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College will help you on your way
You will need a map to find that EMA
And if university is where you’re off to
Nine grand a year? You’d be stupid not to
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You have your degree, whoop-de-f***ing-doo
That job at McDonalds is waiting for you
Happy days though mate
Your future is now all set
Just another eight years
To pay off all your debt
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A life time on the hamster wheel, you’ve sadly slaved away
The rat race was a mouse trap, but there was another way
Your pension is all that’s left and that’s still locked away
Should you change things now? Or regret that final day?
Frank Turner once taught me, don’t leave it too late
“Why slave 50 years away on something that you hate?”
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We’re taught from a text book, from a very young age
To stay within the lines and to not go off the page
They tell us that we are free and to suppress the rage
Really we’re under lock and key, trapped inside a cage.
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© Jamie Chapman, 2012.
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