The lyrics of "Special Treatment" detail the history of injustice and mistreatment experienced by generations of a family - from the speaker's grandfather who was enslaved, to their father who faced discrimination at work, to their parents who were separated against their will, and finally to the speaker who was raised in shame and deprived of their cultural identity.

Meaning of "Special Treatment" by Paul Kelly

** "Special Treatment" by Paul Kelly delves into the legacy of systemic racism, discrimination, and trauma that has impacted generations of Indigenous peoples in Australia. The song highlights the intergenerational effects of colonialism, from the forced renaming and displacement of the grandfather to the unequal pay and labor conditions faced by the father, and ultimately to the speaker's loss of cultural connection and identity. The repeated refrain of "special treatment" serves as a bitter irony, underscoring the fact that what is considered special treatment is, in reality, a history of oppression and marginalization. The song resonates with themes of dispossession, cultural erasure, and the enduring impact of historical injustices on individuals and communities.

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