‘We Matter’, released on January 15 in honour of Dr Martin Luther King Jr, is the first single from Mara and Mini. The track shines a light on the systemic racism in US society, as well as the 13th amendment and black on black crime.
The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution reads as follows:
Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Passed by congress on January 31, 1865 – 156 years ago this coming Sunday – it’s shameful that the tenets within it are still not yet upheld. ‘We Matter’ highlights the action that still needs to be taken in order for this to come to fulfilment: changes to the law, and a reduction in inner-city crime.
Mara x Mini were deeply moved by the events which led to the Black Lives Matter movement, with Mini losing her father to a senseless act of violence only last year. Nonetheless, she views the future with positivity, and Mara and Mini have made the song for their dads, brothers, family, and the wider community, and hope that the message will be received and understood: “Never forget that your life matters”.
In the music video for ‘We Matter’, Mara and Mini’s lyrics speak loud and clear that exclusion, and negativity, and everything that goes with it, must disappear. The way you are treated in society must not be determined by your skin colour: everyone is worthy of acceptance, and should be respected, and be allowed to feel secure.
Watch the music video below for ‘We Matter’, and follow Mara x Mini online on Twitter.
