Okay America, Now let’s get
in Formation!
Throughout
the week we talked about how much African American people are going through all
forms of racism dating all the way back from the Civil Rights Movement to
today. We talked about music and how it has impacted the lives of African
Americans. I chose the song Freedom by
Beyoncé, Featuring Kendrick Lamar. I chose this song because I’m a big Beyoncé
fan, and she is one of the biggest artists that I know that speaks her mind and
isn’t afraid to show it.
Beyoncé’s Freedom is off her album Lemonade her only visual album. She uses
this song as a message to the world signifying racial injustices, and police
brutality. I really liked this song because she uses her platform to spread
messages. During the visual representation of the song one thing really caught
my eye was Michael Brown’s mother who was holding up a picture of her son after
he was fatally shot by a white police officer.
“Seven misleadin’ statements ‘bout my
persona/Six headlights wavin’ in my direction/Five-O askin’ me what’s in my
possession/ Yeah, I keep running’ jump in aqueducts”. This line was sung by
Kendrick Lamar who voiced the existence of police Brutality.
“I break
chains all by myself/ Won’t let my freedom rot in hell”. This verse is sung by Beyoncé,
which really stands out because she mentions the time of racial injustice which
happened during the Civil Rights Movement, and how she won’t let her freedom rot,
and be taken away from her.
It’s hard to
ignore that there is racism going on this world, it’s something that won’t be
ignored and many artists including Beyoncé, and Kendrick Lamar are using their
fame platform to spread a message of equality. Kendrick Lamar is a great
addition to the song because of his music relating to his political stance.
During the
week we also talked about the quote from James Baldwin “I love America more
than any other country in the world and, exactly for this reason I insist on
the right to criticize her perpetually”. This quote really stood out to me because
our country has that opportunity to have freedom, speak our mind, and vote.
Many countries aren’t allowed freedom, so we have a privilege, but this also
allows us to protest for our rights. The ‘March for Our Lives’ was a protest to
the NRA the protesters being students some who were affected by the Parkland shooting.
I think it’s great that we have the privilege to express how we feel. After all freedom is a great thing.
Below I have
attached the song Freedom performed
at the BET Awards
I really like how you mentioned the quote by James Baldwin and we are so lucky to be able to protest and express our feelings! Also I love your title to this!!
ReplyDeleteYou're title really caught my attention and really made me want to read more, I liked how you acknowledged the problem of racism still going on today as well. And how you acknowledged the topic of freedom being great.
ReplyDeleteI love the title of your post!
ReplyDeleteI love the song, so glad you added the attachment to listen too!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to have the freedom to say what we want! Otherwise we would never know about the pressing issues that artists like Beyonce share to the public time and time again., and we certainly wouldn't have the bravery to speak up for ourselves just like them.
ReplyDelete