Forms Of Protest In The Civil Rights Movement

In the early 70’s, the Vietnam War mainly caused this song to happen. When his brother came back from Vietnam, his brother told him horrifying memories that scarred Marvin. That is where the initial idea came from. From there Marvin went to Motown and composed this song with a group. The social conscience message of the song, “What’s Going On,” is that only together with love can they destroy the segregation that has imprisoned

In 1971, Marvin Gaye, a renowned Motown artist, published a concept album that would become a huge hit for both critics and casual listeners throughout the US. Written towards the end of the Vietnam War, What’s Going On would touch on subjects including war protests, unification of the American people, and the poor treatment of veterans. Gaye’s brother served in Vietnam, and much of this album shows the brother’s thoughts and feelings when he returns. Throughout his album, Marvin Gaye uses his own experiences to give us a look at why he and many others had a dissatisfaction with society and the government during the Vietnam War era in the United States.

“What’s Going On” defined a time in history where social unrest was at it’s highest in the black community. Police brutality was rife. Just like in the USA in 2015, one could argue that this problem is still extremely prevalent. In the early 1970s, police were racially profiling young black males and females across the United States. This was witnessed by Ronald “Obie” Benson who wrote the initial draft of the piece. Benson proclaimed "'What is happening here?' One question led to another. Why are they sending kids so far away from their families overseas? Why are they attacking their own children in the streets?" (Lynskey, 2011) Similarly, Gaye was also impacted by the issues of the Vietnam war, in which his brother spent 3 years overseas like countless other Americans. Gaye reveals "I was very much affected by letters my brother was sending me from Vietnam, as well as the social situation here at home. I realised that I had to put my own fantasies behind me if I wanted to write songs that would reach the souls of people. I wanted them to take a look at what was happening in the world.” (Buskin,

In a broader context, protest musicians composed songs about student protests in which they firmly sided with the protesters, supporting their actions and condemning those trying to stop the protests. (OnlyEverArabella, n.d.). The ideas were expressed in music as it served as a form of publicity and promotion for the counterculture community during this era. The government continuously tried to prevent media coverage about these movements but their music simply spoke the

Marvin Gaye composed “What's Going In”, along with fellow Motown songwriters, Al Cleveland and Renaldo "Obie" B Jenson. This song was released May 21, 1971 by Motown Records. Gaye was overwhelmed by the stories his brother, Frankie Gaye, was telling him about the tragedies he witnessed while serving in the Vietnam War. His song was more of questioning why these "tragedies" were occurring and basically stating we should love more and battle less. Gaye's lyrics proclaim, "picket lines picket signs, don't punish me with brutality," which is the American people protesting the Vietnam War and being against U.S. involvement in this war. Gaye feels as though we need more love and less war to solve this issue. He is seeking peace and happiness for all mankind.

More often than naught protest music is often associated with war and politics and a little less with the social norms of the current society and culture. The most iconic artist that did challenge and changed the social norms was Elvis, even though at the time he was not aware of doing so.

Civil disobedience is present in our day to day lives. During the civil rights protests occurring in Birmingham, AL, Eugene Connor was the Commissioner of Public Safety who publicly attacked African Americans with fire hoses and dogs. The Boston Tea Party was a rebellion which led to major tax reformation. Another moment in history of disobedience would be the Civil Rights movement. Oscar Wilde claims social progress is promoted through disobedience and rebellion which is valid.

In Thoreau 's essay Civil Disobedience he makes the point that bystanders are just as bad as criminals and that people should stand against unjust crimes even if it means going against the law. And to some extent I do agree because in the past people have broken unjust laws and have created change. A well-known example would be when Rosa Parks sat on the bus in the "White-only" seating area, which lead to important events that helped push the Civil Rights movement forward. But I think that it depends on which laws they choose to break and how far they choose to go with it.

From Cherokee Indians refusing to abandon their homes in 1838 to the Sit-ins of the civil rIghts movement in the early 1960s, people have been using acts of civil disobedience to stand against injustice they saw in their communities. Although there are many examples of people abusing this benefit and causing more grief and shame than progress, many have used it to their advantage to bring about positive change for the greater good of society, therefore acts of civil disobedience can positively impact a free society if they remain peaceful, respectful, and justified.

Since the Constitution of the United States was written, Americans have practiced their right to freedom of speech as a way to express their point of view on issues facing the country. Over time, voicing one’s opinion went from outspoken newspaper articles to large rallies, and during the Vietnam War, music was a prevalent tool in aiding the protests. Allowing political messages to be shared nationally, the music had touched the lives of the younger generation. Author Jerome L. Rodnitzky explains in his journal, “The Sixties between the Microgrooves: Using Folk and Protest Music to Understand American History, 1963-1973”, how music was “trying to be all things

Through songs many people express their feelings of the world threw the words they have wrote. Many songs talk about civil rights of the people and how change should be an option. In the world we live in today we have social issues that people have to face such as: police brutality, racial profiling, discrimination etc. Through Kendrick Lamar, Public Enemy, The Game, Bebe Winans, and N.W.A they will use their voice as a weapon for change among all people. Music with a message thrives in a live setting, for obvious reasons, and many politically conscious musicians aim to channel the heightened emotions

Martin Luther King unlike Moto X contended that nonviolence was the most potent weapon for both blacks in the US civil rights movement and for the oppressed people struggling for justice throughout the world. Growing up he always had a negative attitude toward whites he had been introduced to a racial prejudice at a young age. His negative attitude toward whites started to change after he become more religious and was much more educated.

The fight for African-American civil rights, the endeavor to give women the right to vote and the creation of the Americans with Disabilities Act are three major civil rights movements in American History. Each movement had specific goals and for these goals to be achieved specific tactics were undertaken. Tactics include grassroots, militancy, non-violence, coalitions, mobility, gradualism and assimilation. Some tactics were found to be successful while others unsuccessful. These three movements have similarities and differences, and because a tactic was successful for one movement did not mean it would be successful for another.

The 1960’s was one of the most controversial decades in American history because of not only the Vietnam War, but there was an outbreak of protests involving civil and social conditions all across college campuses. These protests have been taken to the extent where people either have died or have been seriously injured. However, during the 1960’s, America saw a popular form of art known as protest music, which responded to the social turmoil of that era, from the civil rights movement to the war in Vietnam. A veritable pantheon of musicians, such as Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs, Joan Baez, and Bob Dylan sang their songs to encourage union organizers to protest the inequities of their time, creating a diverse variety of popular

“Where Have All The Flowers Gone?” by Pete Seeger became a popular anti-war protest song during the 1960s. This song did not only protest against the Vietnam War but also made their generation more aware about the global problems. Songs like “Not Ready to Make Nice” by Dixie chicks about freedom of speech was written after they received death threats for singing against the Iraq war, protests against the violation of human rights. But music is not only used to protest, it is also used to give hope and optimism. “We Shall Overcome”, a song sung by Guy Carawan together with the Montgomery Gospel Trio and the Nashville Quartet, is perhaps the best known example of civil rights song. Instead of blaming the government, this song registered a feeling of hope and faith among African-Americans during the civil rights movement.