Down with the System: A Memoir (of sorts)BOOK REVIEW
A moving reflection on how Serj Tankian’s memoir bridges the gap between rock stardom and radical activism, offering a masterclass on how to use power and art to honor one’s heritage and fight for global justice.
I'm sure words will fail to express what it felt like to read this. The simplest way I can think of describing it is "the intellectual equivalent of falling in love".
Rock music has fundamentally help shape my personality. The nonconforming lyrics and attitude were a way for my introverted and repressed self to truly feel part of something bigger. To feel seen and understood - free to express myself. To dream.
System of a Down is an intriguing band because it does exactly that: thought provoking lyrics, unconventional song structures, and a comedic tone to relieve the heaviness of the world.
During my early twenties, when I started caring about politics and my role in this world, SOAD's material resonated a lot with my beliefs and reminded me to stay loyal to them even when I felt defeated and hopeless. Especially (!) when I felt defeated and hopeless.
In this book, Serj explores the dynamics of art and activism. I feel honoured to learn from someone with this much life experience. Someone who's seen war, injustice, and betrayal, but chose to spread love.
I was only made aware of the history of Armenia because of System. There is so much we do not learn about when living elsewhere. Also because my home country (Brazil) has the size of a continent and its own intricacies. Nonetheless, the message here is one of hope, no matter where you are in the world. I am grateful to have learned so much about his nation and its legacy. When there's people fighting for survival on a daily basis I can't help but recognize the privilege I have and to honour every human being with compassion and respect.
It sure was cool to, as a fan, dive into the tour drama, the sketchy contracts with record labels and the interactions with other rock legends, but more than that, as a human being, it was inspiring to follow Serj's life journey. The search for inner peace, the contradictions, the endless dilemmas someone with a powerful influence goes through. And most of all, the critical decisions on HOW to use such power.
Highly recommended!
"I don't do neutral well." — [Down with the System, by Serj Tankian]