First Listen: El Barak says that “It’s OK”
(November 27, 2019) It is an unfortunate fact that too many people live with the trauma and guilt that come with experiencing abuse. These survivors of childhood abuse suffer unspeakable cruelty – often at the hands of people who they love and trust. People who are supposed to have their best interest at heart. One of the saddest – and most infuriating – results of this abuse is that the survivors often believe that they are to blame for the crimes that have befallen them.
Of course, this is not true, but a manipulative older relative or friend is often able to make children that they prey upon that they brought these terrible actions on themselves. These survivors can the physical and emotional scars for years, and it can take years of counseling or prayer to overcome the abuse. Some never recover spend a lifetime in manipulative and abusive relationships. Those who overcome the abuse and trauma do so because they realize that they have done nothing wrong. But that can be a long process and it can be hard for these survivors to trust enough to allow someone to walk with them on their journey to recovery.
The jazzy ballad “It’s OK,” by veteran Philly soul singer and songwriter El Barak tells the story of a man who is committed to being there for a special lady who has not always been treated like a special lady. “It’s OK” is ultimately a song that has two very important and interconnected messages: The first is that abuse – whether it be physical, sexual, emotional or financial – is an evil force that stunts and distorts the normal growth of those who are victimized. Often these survivors find it difficult to establish bonds of trust and love. The second message conveyed by El Barak through the song’s lyrics is the importance of empathy and the willingness to be there and help them reach the point where the survivor will realize that they have done nothing wrong. That it is – and they are – OK. Check out “It’s OK” here.
By Howard Dukes
El Barak – “It’s OK”
