Your Playlist: Depeche Mode

I heard this oldie but goodie on the radio recently: Depeche Mode’s People are People. For those unfamiliar with this fabulous song, let me highlight the opening lines:

People are people so why should it be
You and I should get along so awfully

The song would be a good accompaniment to refugee and asylum issues. Check out these lines:

It’s obvious you hate me
Though I’ve done nothing wrong
I never even met you
So what could I have done

The stanza pairs naturally with discussion of persecution directed by and against individuals without any prior relationship.

I also think the song would be a good accompaniment to issues of professionalism in the classroom. I recently taught an extremely challenging course with warring factions of students on the left and right who really did “get along so awfully.” Perhaps this song is a good way to begin discussion about across-the-aisle conversations. I’m interested in hearing how other immprofs have handled the issue of conflict in the classroom – perhaps it could be a topic of discussion at our next conference!

-KitJ