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How Did Bob Dylan Influence The Civil Rights Movement

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One can argue that the 1960s was one of the most transformational decades in American history, largely due to the political and cultural landscape that occurred after World War II. The 1960’s were a decade of drastic change in politics, culture, and idealism. As a result of groups beginning to challenge the norms of society, there was a need for Americans to help lead this charge and inspire others to become a part of it. In addition, society turned to mainstream culture, particularly towards music, for guidance and inspiration. One such massive cultural and societal change in the 1960s was the Civil Rights movement. Led significantly by Martin Luther King Jr. and the NAACP, the events that unfolded during the movement had an impact on the mainstream culture. Americans, particularly popular artists, were given the call to freedom, to provide a deeper sense to Americans of whom they were and might become. Bob Dylan and his music was very much a part of that. His music expressed what he wanted to express, but people caught onto it as an expression of what they were feeling or thinking. This aspect of his music makes Bob Dylan …show more content…

As a result, it made Dylan the “spiritual leader” of the movement. “Blowin in the Wind” was about how silence kept by Americans was betraying society and how the nation’s leaders at the time failed to keep their promises to their country. Again, Dylan is angered and frustrated by the lack of action by not only the government but also fellow Americans, whose silence and lack of desire to intervene failed to bring about change in society and in politics. He encourages Americans to speak up, be more involved in the movement, and hold their elected leaders accountable for the violence and outrage going on in. This is a great example of Dylan “raising the stakes” for Americans, challenging them to break the silence and speak up for

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