In our world today, we are quick to judge another person based on superficial things. I wanted to write this song to remind people that at the end of the day, we are all connected no matter where we come from. We all share interests and are brought together for a reason, whether it’s to learn, help, or grow from each other. While working closely with and helping migrant workers in Hong Kong, I was inspired to write this song to spread love and the idea that we need to start judging people based on their character, morals, and values rather than their appearances or background. By illustrating how they “cross the waters” to a different country in order to make a better life for their children, I wanted to show the difficulties and hardships behind their stories and the heroic qualities they displayed. They’ve all made sacrifices by moving to a foreign country in hopes of a brighter future for their family. The song was also inspired by what I learned about the United States. According to statistics, in New York City, 88% of police stops in 2018 involved Black and Latin people, while 10% involved White people. Of those stops 70% were completely innocent. One study found that job resumes with traditional white-sounding names received more callbacks than those with traditionally Black names. 

I also wanted to speak out about our repetitive daily routines in which we are so consumed in as not only do we not take the time to get to know others but are also stagnant to new ways of seeing others. This song also references big cities, such as my home in Hong Kong and New York, which is filled with neon lights, night lights, and an overflow of information, to prompt the imagery of a fast paced life, rushing from one place to another.