System of a Down’s “Deer Dance” from their seminal album Toxicity is a track renowned for its complex lyrics and powerful delivery. While not explicitly mentioning a “Deer Dance System,” the song’s themes and the band’s broader socio-political commentary strongly suggest a critique of systemic issues, particularly concerning authority, control, and societal unrest. This article delves into various interpretations of “Deer Dance,” drawing from fan perspectives and contextual information to understand the multifaceted “deer dance system” the song might be addressing.
Unpacking the Lyrics: Seeds of Interpretation
The lyrics of “Deer Dance” are potent and evocative, sparking diverse interpretations among listeners. Several key phrases act as focal points for understanding the song’s potential meanings within the “deer dance system”:
- “Pushing little children with their fully automatics”: This line immediately conjures images of disproportionate force and aggression, often associated with law enforcement or military actions against vulnerable populations.
- “Battalions of riot police”: This phrase explicitly points to the presence of overwhelming state power used to suppress dissent or control crowds.
- “Invitation to peace, war staring you in the face”: This juxtaposition highlights the hypocrisy and underlying threat often present in power dynamics, where peace offerings can mask aggressive intentions.
- “We can’t afford to be neutral on a moving train”: This powerful metaphor, referencing Howard Zinn’s anti-war stance, suggests the urgency of taking a stand against injustice and the impossibility of passive observation.
- “Plastic existence”: This phrase hints at a superficial or manufactured reality, potentially imposed by the “deer dance system,” where genuine human experience is suppressed.
Fan Interpretations: Diverse Lenses on the “Deer Dance System”
The original submissions highlight a range of interpretations, each shedding light on different facets of the “deer dance system” as perceived by listeners:
1. Police Brutality and Protest Suppression
Many interpretations, including those by Austin Mitchell, Jakub Habas, and Skye, converge on the theme of police brutality. They see “Deer Dance” as a direct commentary on the excessive force used by law enforcement, particularly against protestors or marginalized groups. The lyrics about “pushing little children” and “riot police” are seen as direct references to aggressive tactics used to control crowds and silence dissent. The incident at the Staples Center, mentioned by Jakub Habas and SystemFAN03, where protests during the 2000 Democratic National Convention led to clashes with police, provides a concrete example of the “deer dance system” in action – a system where peaceful assembly can be met with forceful suppression. Skye further suggests a specific instance of police brutality witnessed by the band members themselves, adding a layer of personal experience to this interpretation.
2. Global Military Intervention and American Foreign Policy
Heather’s interpretation broadens the scope to encompass American military interventionism. She views the “deer dance system” as the global projection of American power, particularly in the context of the Iraq War under George W. Bush. Phrases like “War staring you in the face” and “battalions of riot police” are seen as metaphors for the overwhelming military force employed in international conflicts. The “plastic existence” and “unaware Americans” aspects suggest a critique of public complacency and ignorance regarding the consequences of these interventions, highlighting a systemic disconnect between the actions of the “deer dance system” and the awareness of its citizens.
3. Historical Trauma and the Armenian Genocide
Several fans, Artin and Karney, connect “Deer Dance” to the Armenian Genocide. They interpret the “deer dance system” as a historical system of oppression and violence, specifically referencing the Turkish government’s actions against Armenians in 1915. The line “pushing little children” takes on a particularly poignant meaning in this context, reflecting the vulnerability of the Armenian population, including women and children, during the genocide. The “invitation to peace” becomes a cynical reference to the deceptive promises made to the Armenians before their forced deportations and mass killings. This interpretation places the “deer dance system” within a historical context of systemic persecution and denial of basic human rights.
4. The Staples Center Riot and Serj Tankian’s Essay: A Deeper Dive into the “Deer Dance System”
The submissions from SystemFAN03 and “the infamous chesse bandit” along with Serj Tankian’s essay offer a particularly insightful perspective by linking “Deer Dance” to a specific event: the cancelled System of a Down free concert at the Staples Center in 2001. Serj Tankian’s essay, originally posted on the band’s website, provides firsthand context to the “deer dance system” as experienced by the band and their fans. The essay details the events leading to the riot, emphasizing the role of fear and miscommunication between the police and the crowd.
Tankian’s analysis points to a “circle of fear” as a central element of the “deer dance system.” He describes how the police’s fear of the crowd, coupled with a lack of communication, escalated the situation and led to unnecessary violence. His call for an “invitation to peace,” referencing a Native American “deer dance,” becomes a central metaphor for de-escalation and peaceful resolution. The “deer dance” in this context symbolizes an alternative to the aggressive “riot police” approach, suggesting a system based on understanding, communication, and respect rather than fear and force.
Tankian’s essay directly connects the Staples Center incident to the themes in “Deer Dance.” The song, written before the event but released shortly after, can be seen as a prescient commentary on the very type of “deer dance system” that manifested at the concert. The song becomes not just a protest song, but also a reflection on the dynamics of power, fear, and control within contemporary society.
Conclusion: A System of Power and Interpretation
“Deer Dance” by System of a Down, when viewed through the lens of the “deer dance system,” emerges as a powerful and multifaceted critique of various forms of systemic oppression. Whether interpreted as a commentary on police brutality, military interventionism, historical genocide, or the dynamics of fear and control in public spaces, the song resonates with listeners because it taps into a shared experience of witnessing or being subjected to systems of power that prioritize control over compassion and communication.
The beauty of “Deer Dance” lies in its lyrical ambiguity and its capacity to evoke diverse interpretations. It is not a song with a single, fixed meaning, but rather a powerful piece of art that invites listeners to confront and analyze the “deer dance systems” they see operating in the world around them. The song’s enduring relevance stems from its ability to speak to ongoing struggles against injustice and its call for a more humane and peaceful approach to power dynamics – an “invitation to peace” in the face of a world often dominated by the “war staring you in the face” of the “deer dance system.”
