The Indigenous Eye Health Unit (Minum Barreng) at The University of Melbourne were proud to partner with the Indigenous Hip Hop Project, Gilimbaa, Institute of Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH), Deception Bay Clinic, Moreton ATSICHS, to create this music video to raise awareness around the issue of diabetes and eye health in Indigenous communities. This music video will form the part of a National Campaign encouraging community members with diabetes to get a yearly eye check and to raise awareness among the community around prevention and treatment for eye health.
Check out the lyrics below for more.
DIABETES IS A WORD THAT WE CAME TO TALK ABOUT
DON’T KEEP IT UNDERCOVER STAND UP AND SHOUT IT OUT
DON’T WAIT FOR SYMPTOMS DAMAGE CAN OCCUR
IN THE BACK OF YOUR EYE AND MAKE IT ALL BLUR
CLEAR AND STRONG VISION CAN HELP US SEE
FROM THE OCEAN TO THE LAND AND OUR COMMUNITY
DON’T BE AFRAID TO HEAR THE TRUTH
GOLDEN OLDIES RIGHT DOWN TO THE YOUTH
MAKING DEADLY CHOICE IS WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT
BETTER TO BE SAFE THEN HAVING ANY DOUBTS
TAKE YOUR PRIDE, PUT IT ASIDE
COS WHO IN YOUR FAMILY IS GOING TO PROVIDE
WE ALL STAND TOGETHER SIDE BY SIDE
KEEPING THE FIRE IN THE FAMILY ALIVE.
BREAK THE CYCLE, SEEK SOME TREATMENT,
TOGETHER AS A MOB WE CAN BEAT IT
WATCH THE TIDE ROLL IN
WATCH THE TIDE ROLL OUT
THE SUN WILL FALL
AND THE SUN WILL RISE
WE SEE IT THROUGH OUR URBAN EYES.
OUR URBAN EYES, OUR URBAN EYES,
DON’T BE SHAME
JUST GO AND GET AN EYE CHECK
DIABETES CAN CAUSE YOU BLINDNESS
WE ARE STRONG DEADLY PEOPLE COMING FROM QUEENSLAND
UNITED TOGETHER DIFFERENT TRIBES AND CLANS
FRESH WATER FLOWING FROM GLASS MOUNTAINS HIGH
FLOWING THROUGH THE VALLEY DOWN TO THE SEA SIDE
WE WANT OUR FAMILIES TO BE HEALTHY AND WISE
YOU BETTER LISTEN UP NOW IT’S TIME TO REALIZE
IF YOU HAVE DIABETES YOU GOTTA CHECK YOUR EYES
COZ THE BLOOD CAN LEAK AND MAKE YOU GO BLIND
SO GET IT CHECKED OUT EVERY YEAR
NO MORE CRYING, NO MORE TEAR
DON’T BE SHAME AND HAVE NO FEAR
WE WANT OUR VISION TO BE CRYSTAL CLEAR
TOO MUCH SALT TOO MUCH SUGAR
FAST FOOD KAI KAI IST NO GOOD FOR YA
BURN IT UP EXERCISE
CONTROL YOUR DIABETES AND SAVE YOUR SIGHT.
WATCH THE TIDE ROLL IN
WATCH THE TIDE ROLL OUT
THE SUN WILL FALL
AND THE SUN WILL RISE
WE SEE IT THROUGH OUR URBAN EYES.
OUR URBAN EYES, OUR URBAN EYES,
DON’T BE SHAME
JUST GO AND GET AN EYE CHECK
DIABETES CAN CAUSE YOU BLINDNESS
WE SEE DOLPHIN DUGONG WHALE AND FISH
TURRTLE, CRABS, OYSTERS “WE WISH”
WE SEE SEA BREEZE BLOWING THROUGH PALM TREES,
WE SEE TROPICAL FLOWERS BIRDS AND BEES
WE SEE THE SEASON CHANGE FROM HOT TO WET
WE SEE GLASS HOUSE MOUTAINS AND BRIGHT SUN SET
A CHECK TODAY TO SEE TOMORROW
DON’T GO BLIND LEAVING THE FAMILY IN SORROW.
WE GOT TO STAY CONNECTED, KEEP OUR FEET PLANTED
NEVER EVER TAKE YOUR SIGHT FOR GRANTED
TEACH OUR CHILDREN , TAKE THEM BY THE HAND
GIVE THEM THE KNOWLEDGE SO THEY CAN UNDERSTAND
WE GOT TO STAY CONNECTED, KEEP OUR FEET PLANTED
NEVER EVER TAKE YOUR SIGHT FOR GRANTED
TEACH OUR CHILDREN , TAKE THEM BY THE HAND
GIVE THEM THE KNOWLEDGE SO THEY CAN UNDERSTAND
DON’T BE SHAME
JUST GO AND GET AN EYE CHECK
DIABETES CAN CAUSE YOU BLINDNESS