Discuss The Role Of Music In The Civil Rights Movement

What is the purpose of music in society? Foremost, in layman terms, music is just sounds. However, individuals then use these sounds as a medium in order to spread certain ideas and emotions across society. Naturally over time different types of music become associated with different communities; thus, this identification creates an overgeneralized interpretation of who these communities are and what they stand for. One prime example is the stereotype that jazz and swing was the music of the African Americans in 20th century Los Angeles. Even though it may be true, the stereotype does not give an answer as to why or how jazz and swing became to be known as “black music”. In order to answer these questions, it is imperative to know what conditions

In his article, Brooks strongly focuses on how protesting work with music based on moral, physical and perceptual. A song is written not only to sell, it is also composed depend on individials’ speeches that about peace, avoiding violence and war. Brooks expresses people against themselves when they protest because they would be arrested by violence, so people should not protest and ask themselves why they have to protest. However, actually, people need to protest because it is also their benefits that they must protect. Protesting and avoiding against themselves, it seems to be impossible, but it is not. Protest music can make impossible to possible. Brooks analyses how majority, chorus, and footnote impact to a protest music. In addition,

Music is an important aspect of life. It is used to express thoughts, opinions and feelings. During a time of war it can unite and incite. The music can commemorate important people and events. In times of sorrow it can comfort. Despite the differences between the North and the South, people shared a love of music, as well as a common musical culture. The music of the Civil War period illustrates the many uses of music during times of

Music is a special art form that has been used to mark special occasions in our lives at a global level, national level and even at community and individual levels. It is often used as a source of entertainment but music holds very great power. Psychologists also say that the music a person listens to can greatly influence his or her personality6. Such a powerful tool should be used with great care and anyone trying to uphold music through vices should be stopped. Otis was able to surpass the troubles of racism and segregation and he wrote music that played a part in unifying the black Americans and the whites. We should follow this great emulate this example and use music to break social barriers in the

During the civil rights movement in the 60’s nonviolent protest was a popular method of expressing beliefs. While methods such as marches and boycotts were certainly beneficial, there is another aspect that is not often considered: music. “African American spirituals, gospel, and folk music all played an important role in the Civil Rights Movement.” Activist musicians had many songs that they used in a variety of ways, such as providing motivation during protests or strength against harassment (Music in the Civil Rights Movement). Though on the surface, music might not seem like it could make much of an impact, music definitely had a crucial role in the civil rights movement. In their interview with the Southern Oral History Program, folksingers

Throughout history, music has been used for many reasons: national anthems, love songs, praises for God, even to invoke a feeling from a listener. The variety of music that is offered through the Internet or radio is overwhelming because, depending on the artist’s style, genre, and tone, each new song or composition is unique because no one has thought of that sound before. Music has also been used to voice political dissent. During the Vietnam war, music was used to show disapproval, even to the point where people disobey the government by not registering for the draft. In addition to voicing political dissent, it has also been used for current events like the Super Bowl, National Basketball League Finals, even used for a theme song for national

The words “civil rights” trigger a sense in the human mind. One of remorse, passion, and hope in a cause worth fighting for. Those weathered by its raging storms refer to it as a turning point in American life after over a century under segregation that can only be described as a necessary silence that African Americans were forced to take on the matter. However, the human mind found itself a way to express those feelings that flowed from its veins. That expression of power and revolt was music. Music acted as the horses that pulled pearlescent chariots of liberty and freedom to the front doors of the White House through public protests, involvement of musical artists, and its impact on the lives and culture of those who were oppressed.

Music, and particularly cultural, social, and political songs, has remained an essential facet of the longstanding tradition of uprisings and struggle for change in American culture. It is difficult to fathom the passions and purposefulness of pop culture music in the civil rights movement of the 1960s; thanks to the freedom songs, whose endeavor was to mobilize and reinforce collective participation in the civil rights campaigns, demonstrations, and protests (Stefani, 2015). The three songs from this period that exemplify popular music’s role in calling for positive change regarding civil rights included “We Shall Overcome” by Southern African American tobacco workers, “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round” by Freedom Singers, and “People Get Ready” by Curtis Mayfield.

In the article, the author states that music had an important infulence during civil rights movement that played a role on giving voices and reflecting the evolution of the movement. Most the songs were written about freedom, a radiant hope, faith, and equality, and they were shared expandly quickly. Moreover, a development of the music in the black struggle also reflects the evolution of the movement. For example, when people sing "Why We Can't Wait", the song helps them to give their wish about Black and White together someday. Malliha Jackson and Harry Belafonte was the most prominent music in the movement. "In the 1961, Freedom Rides songs played a critical role in sustaining morale for those serving time in Mississippi’s Hinds County

Music, “…one of the most widely used and appealing forms of communication…”, is universal and used for different purposes (Root, 2005, p. 7). Among the uses are “…play or entertainment, which humans of all ages engage in to stimulate feelings of joy, tension, and interaction, and enrich their experiences by adding mental complexity, counteracting boredom and lethargy” (Root, 2005, p. 7). In addition, music expresses “…emotions such as love, sentiment, or anger” (Root, 2005, p. 7). Ultimately, it communicates values showing the reality of society and culture. Anyone listening to “a few records [helps] enrich [their] feelings, extend [their] sense of love or despair, and feed [their] fantasies or fire some real relationship” (Cooper & Haverkos,

‘How many years can some people exist, before they’re allowed to be free. The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind. The answer is blowing in the wind.’ When we think of the US Civil Rights movement, there are always several pieces of rhythm come to our mind. Music, indeed, proved its unique magic throughout history. During the US Civil Rights movement, there were a group of people who weren’t politicians, yet made a huge impact, encouraged the process of the movement only using their talent and courage, they were musicians. Without the impact of music during that period, the world may not have become the same as it is today.

Music is a powerful apparatus that shapes generations. In the 1960’s, music was a force that affected the way people thought and behaved(Welch). During that period, people started composing their music in different ways. Many musicians wanted to share important messages or their opinions about situations on that time: Protest songs were born. For example, Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie in their songs “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “This Machine Kills Fascists” were protesting against wars and conflicts. It was new and unique because most of the music composers were being very creative in songwriting. They wanted to reach people’s hearts and minds with peace, justice and anti-war messages(Protest).

On July 5, 1954, forty-nine days after the Supreme Court handed down the decision on the Brown vs. Board of Education case, a nineteen year old truck driver recorded an Arthur Crudup blues track called “That’s All Right Mama” (Bertrand 46). Memphis disc jockey Dewey Phillips found the cut and played it on his radio show a few weeks later. He received calls all over from people, mostly white, who wanted to hear more. He quickly located the musician and brought him into the studio for an interview, audiences were shocked to learn that Elvis was white (Bertrand 46). Elvis’s music brought black music into white mainstream pop culture almost overnight. The breakthrough of Elvis happening almost simultaneously with the dawn of

“Art is not a mirror held up to reality, but a hammer with which to shape it” (Bertold Brecht in Askew 2003: 633). Despite evolution across the globe and the continued development of societies and cultures, one entity has remained present throughout – music. Though manifested in various forms, music has and continues to play an integral role in a multitude of settings, ranging from religious ceremonies to theater to pop culture and beyond. With universal influence, music possesses the ability to unite a nation behind a single cause yet simultaneously subjugate a people through musical propaganda and censorship. For instance, due to a lack of literacy and economic means in countries such as South Africa (plagued by apartheid sanctions), oral communication through music increases the accessibility of critical ideas. Nonetheless, though musical artists have the capacity to assert politically subversive statements through song, vehement government censorship and even propaganda reflect music’s immense influence. Thus, a vessel through which sound is transformed to expression, music has tremendous political ramifications. Exploring the transformation of South-African music from “a mirror” of the apartheid struggles to a “hammer with which to shape”

Although, many people in the 1960s believed that Rock ‘n’ Roll music wreaked havoc on society more than it brought people together, and rejected and disrupted established society, this “protest” rock and R&B music from the 1960s proved to be one of the few ways for the younger generation to describe, address, and improve upon what seemed to be their own downward spiraling social conditions, from the Vietnam war to the Civil Rights Protests. With the constant changes in society, it would be hard for the younger generations to cope with what their parents could not help them understand. Throughout the sixties we will see how music illustrated people’s