Power To The People
Nina Simone was an artist
living through a dark time where equality didn’t exist. Her song ‘Mississippi
Goddam’ was a direct message demanding the end to racism. In this song you can
hear the sadness, and pain in her voice it was a cry for help demanding action
to take place. Billie Holiday’s ‘Strange Fruit’ was a song about violence,
discrimination, and exposed slavery brutality throughout the lyrics.
Today we still fight for
equality, and still fight to end discrimination. Many artists like Kanye West, Beyoncé,
and Logic protest through music trying to end this hate. In the trailer
‘Strange Fruit’ that we watched in class the video exposed today’s version of
racism, and discrimination. You could see how police brutality was being
exposed to the world when an unarmed black man was killed by a white police
officer. What really made the video shocking is you could see the media trying
to cover up for the police.
We live in a society
where racism will never end. We have a president who throws racists remarks
about almost every different ethnicity. Beyoncé’s album ‘Lemonade’ was a direct
message to stop racism and encourage equality around the world. Her performance
‘Formation’ was performed at the Super Bowl and she received much back lash for
her message on spreading equality and stopping racism. I think that many artists
should continue to protest through music about racism because it spreads a
message that will be shown on TV, and social media and will be talked about for
ages, and hopefully encourage equality.
Our former President
Barack Obama farewell speech mentioned how the Civil Rights movement opened
many doors for African Americans, and how it gave him the opportunity to run
for President. President Barack Obama also mentions how President Donald Trump
was symptom of today’s racism not a cause. He also mentioned that we as a
county need to stand together and encourage equality instead of spreading
racism.
Nina Simone, and Billie Holiday are only a few
artists that I heard who protested Slavery, and Discrimination. Today we have
hundred of artists who aren’t afraid to take the stage their song being their
message to the world. They aren’t afraid to protest and encourage people to
protest as well. I think Beyoncé is one of the most influential African
American artists in our generation today, she collaborated with Kendrick Lamar
‘Freedom’ an anthem about injustice, systemic racism, and police brutality.
Music helps get messages across the world and will continue to make history.
Below
I have attached some links to some empowering songs, and performances that are
worth watching!
I love how artists today still represent the times and take on the role of fighting back with their music. I love the links to the empowering songs.
ReplyDeleteArtist protesting against discrimination and injustice is an amazing way to use their power and influence for good.
ReplyDeleteI honestly had no idea that Beyonce had received backlash for her super bowl performance, but it does go to show that artists have a huge impact. Its not great that she had backlash but it is great how she continues to keep going after what she believes in even with as much backlash as someone as popular as her probably gets.
ReplyDeleteI love your tie in between the start of the civil rights movement and modern day, very thought provoking
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