adaptations: “mercy, mercy me” – environmental crime in 2025 america

​”environmental justice is the movement to ensure that no community suffers disproportionate environmental burdens or goes without enjoying fair environmental benefits.”
— van jones

mercy, mercy me (the ecology) (marvin gaye)

google’s deep dive podcast: environmental crime, corporate complicity, and the future of eco-justice in america

with the development of ana volkova’s bonus tracks, how “her” bonus track adaptations are fundamentally new songs inspired by the originals she loves, we wanted to do the same with songs from our own playlists, but with a timely twist.

poignancy in the 2025 american context

outsider mentality & social alienation
these revamped songs line echo the eternal feelings of the majority of the fracturing america, where people increasingly, now exponentially, feel like outsiders in their own country, whether due to political, racial, sexual, economic, ideological or intellectual alienation. the social contract feels broken, and disenfranchisement is at an all-time high. these are quintessential american blues songs for the present state of the “home of the free.”

illustrating the america of 2025

the u.s. is plagued by resentment, isolation, and loss, all of which are embedded in these lyrics. whether it’s the feeling of being feared, rejected, hated, or even trapped, the songs capture a collective national psychology of longing, inadequacy, and mounting rage.

in a time when people feel more disconnected than ever, these tracks remain anthems for the lost, the bitter, and the unheard—an unintended but chilling soundtrack to america’s broken soul.

it’s about control

project 2025 is presented as a plan to streamline government and restore conservative governance, but it is a response to the declining dominance of white males in american power structures. rather than solely aiming to control perceived political enemies, it reflects broader demographic anxieties, seeking to reassert influence in a changing society. by advocating for an expanded executive branch, the removal of civil servants deemed ideologically opposed, and policies rolling back diversity initiatives, project 202

project 2025’s environmental rollback plan is a direct assault on justice and the planet

project 2025, the far-right policy blueprint led by the heritage foundation and allied conservative groups, is being hailed by its creators as a roadmap for a “return to american greatness.” but beneath its patriotic branding lies a sweeping plan to dismantle environmental protections that have taken decades to build—targeting not only federal environmental programs but also environmental justice (ej) communities already bearing the brunt of pollution, climate change, and industrial neglect.

at the center of project 2025 is a concerted effort to gut the environmental protection agency (epa), stripping it of its regulatory authority and slashing key programs that protect air, water, and land. these rollbacks are not incidental—they’re intentional. the plan calls for weakening or eliminating climate regulations, reducing oversight on polluters, and ending the very programs that protect marginalized communities from environmental harm. the epa’s environmental justice initiatives, which prioritize the health and safety of low-income, indigenous, and communities of color, are squarely in the crosshairs.

by dismantling the epa’s enforcement powers, project 2025 paves the way for unregulated industrial development, fossil fuel expansion, and corporate pollution—all while silencing the voices of those most affected. vulnerable communities who already suffer higher rates of asthma, cancer, and water contamination will be left defenseless.

and what soundtrack could possibly echo the pain of this betrayal more than marvin gaye’s haunting classic, “mercy mercy me (the ecology)”? released in 1971, the song is a soulful lament for a planet in distress—a plea for compassion, justice, and accountability. lines like “oil wasted on the oceans and upon our seas / fish full of mercury” feel prophetic today, as climate change accelerates and protections are peeled away. gaye’s voice—mournful, wise, and aching—speaks directly to the heartbreak felt by those watching their lands, waters, and futures desecrated in the name of profit and ideology.

project 2025 is not just a policy proposal—it’s a blueprint for environmental abandonment. and in the echo of marvin gaye’s timeless cry, we’re reminded that what’s at stake is more than politics—it’s life itself. the earth is still asking for mercy. will we listen this time?

action speaks faster than words

we can sing all day or do something about it. tatanka is pragmatic and the time for words alone has passed. tatanka’s project 2025: a quiet rebellion of peace (http://p25.site) is our applied tenet to counteract division, fear, and injustice—not with resistance, but with an unwavering commitment to love. in a world where hate fuels conflict, we stand firm in the belief that only love can dismantle its power. through music, cultural fusion, and collective action, aka dei, we cultivate a movement that uplifts, heals, and unites across borders. this is more than a project; it is a call to live with purpose, to build with compassion, and to embody the truth that love alone conquers hate. join us—become a part of this quiet rebellion of peace.

mercy, mercy me (the ecology) (marvin gaye)

(sung in wolof, a widely spoken language in west africa, particularly in senegal, touching on the global nature of environmental justice issues)

verse 1

woah-oh, oh, bàmmeel, bàmmeel maa

waaw, yooni nañu te du yooni

fii la ngir xel yi diis?

bëgg naa jàmm ak wàlluwaay ñu ngi soppé ci ndëgg

verse 2

(fa) woah-oh, bàmmeel, bàmmeel maa (ah, bàmmeel)

waaw, yooni nañu te du yooni (xam naa xel yi)

aji wóor ak ndox ngir njàmbaar ak bu rëy

tëdd yi ñu tollu ci xel yi (xam naa, xam naa, baax na)

verse 3

oh, oh, oh, bàmmeel, bàmmeel maa (aay, xam naa, bàmmeel)

waaw, yooni nañu te du yooni (xam naa, xam naa, xel yi)

bëggu yëngu ci kaw màngor, réew ba ca biy am

ay jëfandikoo yi, fukki mbir yi ñu ngi rëy ci kaw yoon

verse 4

oh, bàmmeel, bàmmeel maa (aay, xam naa, bàmmeel)

waaw, yooni nañu te du yooni

bëggul na aji wóor fi ngay jëfandikoo? (bëgg naa, xam naa, te yendoo)

na nga jàmm ci ndëgg ay wàllu aji wóor

outro

oooh, oooh, oh, no no, na na na na

ma loolu, na na na

ma, ma loolu, ma loolu

soppi!