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Music as a tool of protest and social change
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Recommended: Music as a tool of protest and social change
Today I will be discussing the Rebel Music video and how the it affects the individuals in the video. They are presenting an uprising of a new generation that is helping the Native American community turn in a positive direction by using music in different ways. Notable artists, such as Inez Jasper, Mike “Witko” Cliff, Frank Waln and Nataani Means are at the forefront of this new 7th generation movement of music. Building upon the last paragraph, Native Americans are still being affected in negative ways as they have the highest rates of suicide and violence against females. These issues are not being addressed with priority and artists like Inez Jasper has decided to fuel her passion into her music by creating positivity and inspiration
On October 23, 2016 I went to a concert type of event that different music groups were performing. This event is what Hispanics call a “Jaripeo Baile,” which is a place that people can see other people bull riding like in the rodeo, but this event was only about music groups performing. One of the music groups that performed was a band called “Josecito Leon y Su Internacional Banda Roja.” While I watched the band’s performance it reminded me of how it relates to the themes that were from our readings and discussions that we had throughout the semester.
For centuries, music has been defined by history, time, and place. To address this statement, Tom Zè, an influential songwriter during the Tropicália Movement, produced the revolutionary “Fabrication Defect” to challenge oppression as a result from the poor political and social conditions. On the other hand, David Ramsey discusses, in mixtape vignettes, the role of music to survive in New Orleans’ violent setting. Furthermore, “The Land where the Blues Began”, by Alan Lomax, is a film and perfect example to understand under what musical conditions profound ways of communication are made to stand the hard work of cotton plantations. As a result, music plays a crucial role in the sources’ cultures and its creation relies on particular conditions such as the social
...hy I chose to do my case study on Lila Downs is because she is a strong indigenous woman who has come to realize and appreciate her culture and her people. She doubted her blood once, but know she is proud of who she is. I admire her music; she keeps it traditional as her ancestors would once, and adds her own spice to it. The way that her music is, contributes to her listeners such in Oaxaca and other Latin American countries who listens to her. She is the voice for the indigenous people, as she writes song that advocate for their mistreatment. Also Lila Downs doesn’t compose songs as any other singer/composer would, she tries to make a connection with the diverse audiences. I appreciate the fact that Downs writes song about political and social justice and immigration not only that but I like how she implies her own dialects into her music and cultural background.
Within Lakota Woman, by Mary Crow Dog, a Lakota woman speaks of her story about growing up in the 60s and 70s and shares the details of the difficulties she and many other Native Americans had to face throughout this time period. Although Native Americans encountered numerous challenges throughout the mid twentieth century, they were not the only ethnic group which was discriminated against; African Americans and other minority groups also had to endure similar calamities. In order to try to gain equality and eliminate the discrimination they faced, such groups differed with their inclusion or exclusion of violence.
After reading the play “Songcatcher”, by Darby Fitzgerald, as well as looking at an interview done with Evie Mark, their stories revealed the same key concepts; the dilemmas they face while trying to revive Native American Music. Both of these men felt as if they needed to prove who they were to everyone around them. Making the journey to find the music from inside them a very personal one. The prime focuses in each are the struggles they face to revive the music passed down through their cultures history. They also show the persistence they have to “rekindle the fire” or the love music, within today’s younger Native generation. Both stories are inspirational to the identity crisis within these nations.
...ng” which all have been directed to the experiences of female perspectives. . Through hip-hop, Jerilynn approporatelydelivered messages of female experiences as she states, “...to provide safe spaced for people to express themselves...”(Warner). Drawing on feminist and intersectional theories, this paper highlighted JB The First lady’s demonstrates bodies of possibilities since she counters the negative labels of assumptions of Native women and encourages them to fight against it. Her analysed works, “Get Ready, Get Steady” and “Too late to apologize” discuss the issues in Native communities. In summary, JB the First Lady states, “ “A lot of our music talks about manifesting and encouraging people to find their own gifts and where they come from” (Hong). Thus, Jerilynn’s goal is to motivate the fallen youth of the Native community to get back up and be the change.
Music can be traced back into human history to prehistoric eras. To this day archeologists uncover fragments of ancient instruments as well as tablets with carved lyrics buried alongside prominent leaders and highly influential people. This serves as a testament to the importance and power of music, as well as its influence in society. Over its many years of existence, music’s powerful invocation of feelings has allowed it to evolve and serve many purposes, one being inspiring change. American journalist and author Hunter S. Thompson once said, “Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of fuel. Sentimental people call it inspiration, but what they really mean is fuel.” This fuel is the very things that powers the influence of Rock ‘n’ Roll on American society, that author Glenn C. Altschuler writes about in his book, “All Shook Up – How Rock ‘n’ Roll Changed America.” Between 1945 and 1965 Rock ‘n’ Roll transformed American society and culture by helping to ease racial integration and launch a sexual revolution while most importantly developing an intergenerational identity.
After reading all of the essays and poems that we were required to read about Native Americans, I came up with the conclusion that the main point of all of the essays is how bad their lives are. But they do not do anything to change it! They just complain and complain and complain! But what have they done about their lives?! Nothing! And that is their problem and they do not have goals that they can achieve!
It appears the caricature of Native Americans remains the same as first seen from the first settler’s eyes: savage-like people. Their culture and identity has become marginalized by popular culture. This is most evident in mainstream media. There exists a dearth of Native American presence in the mainstream media. There is a lack of Native American characters in different media mediums.
...en to the status of the Native Americans in the U.S. and they should not be looked down because they are different but respected for their desire to continue living the life they grew up in.
... a common theme among the works I read, due in part to Momaday’s own struggle for identity and self. That is what makes Momaday’s work so relatable, he injects his feelings and his experiences into his work. The journeys his characters go on are ones that at some point we all go on ourselves, journeys of self-knowledge, journeys of the heart. Momaday writes about Native American life and Native American struggles, but the true meaning in his work is deeper than that. In fact, one of the most poignant messages I read in his novels was that these crises we go through are not limited to those of persecuted ethnic roots—we all feel them. People are people, we all struggle, we all fall, and we all need a support system to pick ourselves up afterwards. We are all who we are, as the famous chief Sitting Bull has so aptly said, “It is not necessary for Eagles to be Crows.”
Music is an art and a wonderful gift to human race. It soothes, stimulates and makes us feel happy. It affects our moods in many different ways from lullaby to war cry for changes in the society. Music is actually distinct to different people. Above all, it has a transformational importance that is captured in its art and nature. Music draws our emotions and it has an impact of bridging different cultures across the continents. Slave songs were very vital channels through which all kind of information was conveyed both positive and negative.
Decades ago Michael Jackson’s iconic “Thriller” music video was released. A music video was something that had never been done before in the music industry. His popular song combined with the memorable video, ended up making him a pop sensation. Today, an artist creating a video to go with their newest song has now become commonplace in the music industry across all genres. For my project, I chose to focus on the Hip-Hop and Rap industry, as this particular style of music is especially popular with my generation. I carefully collected quantitative data on the appearances of each gender in four different music videos in the Hip-Hop/Rap genre. My process for this assignment was to carefully mark each gender. I selected my videos randomly, by
“Music is uniquely wonderful. It is incapable of being touched yet it touches everyone who is capable of hear sounds. It can seemingly evoke any emotion; we instinctively respond to happy tunes, mournful songs, beautiful melodies, inspiring anthems, stirring hymns, and majestic orchestrations.” (Doolan, Robert. 1985) There is no question that music is great part of society; it has been at civilization’s side whether it be the lyres and flutes of the ancient Greeks or how it calms or excites emotions and keeps armies in order during battle. Within society, there has also been social unrest and the desire for change. Protesting is the expression of a society’s concerns on current events of which they feel affected by whether it be through public rallies, picketing, riots or even bombings. Protest through music is one powerful medium for engaging people. Amidst what life throws at individuals, music has comforted the soul, provoked individualistic thought and opinion, and music draws people together through groups alike who have the same attachment or concerns with their surroundings. Whether it be rock, jazz, blues, rap, hip hop, dance, spiritual, or world, music has inspired artists to spill out their expression and views of society. Music is a universally effective tool of protest in generating social change and unrest as it continues to unite those with like ideas.
Joy Harjo has been my favorite author that we have studied this year. She brought a level of insight and understanding that many of the other authors did not. Her love of life and her theme of continuing on despite challenges puts a spin on Native Americans that is not always addressed in Native American literature. Harjo’s works do not ignore the difficulties of life, but encompass them as well as the things that make life worth living.