How Did Folk Music Influence The Civil Rights Movement

In a time where racial integration rarely ever occurred, especially in the South, “early rock-and-roll music, which boasted black and white artists and black and white fans… drew on both black rhythm-and-blues and white country influences… [this] symbolically reproduced the best hopes of many activists”(Ward). This seemingly insignificant occurrence was actually very significant in that it was one of the first instances in the time period of the Civil Rights . The occurrence brought about a new change for the way society works. Known as the movement that brought both races together, it allowed the race and people of white descendants to view the other side of blacks as the same humans that white people are. The civil right movement was happening at the same time as rock & roll was being revolutionized by African Americans, the connection seen was stated as “The threat integration posed to white Americans by the Civil Rights Movement was magnified as Rock & Roll gained popularity with white teenagers. Identifying correlations between the evolving musical style of Rock & Roll and the societal changes, attitudes and expectations engendered through the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s”(Ward). The changing ways of the youth toward an African American Rock & roll allowed the most of the population to have an open

During this call to action, people had different ideas on how to respond to the events surrounding the bombing on 16th street Baptist church. The response ranged from marching, protests, and most importantly, music. During the Civil Rights movement, music allowed artists to express their dissent through a medium in which their message could reach a plethora of peoples. Music during this time was also akin to the music effect of “work songs” sang during slavery as well as songs such as “we shall overcome” which draws parallels to songs sang as slaves attempted to escape to the north. Music also helped those involved in the civil

Motown Records was founded in 1959 by Berry Gordy who turned his music production company into history’s most successful black-owned record label company.

In the article, McCalla lists 10 famous songs about civil rights movement and analyzed their contents. "Oh Freedom" is about the call for freedom in the Civil Rights movement. "We Shall Not Be Moved" presents the determination in Civil right movement of face with govenment. "Go Tell It On the Mountain" is as an analogy for Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights movement. "Time They Are A Changin by Bob Dylan captured the spirit and essence of the change and turmoil that surrounded the Civil Rights movement". "Lift Every Voice And Sing" and " Strange Fruit" talk about ugly essence of lynchings racism and the opposition to the Civil Rights movement. Moreover, "People Get Ready" is about the optimism and excitement of the Civil Rights movement

The songs of the slave represent the sorrows of his heart; and he is relieved by them, only as an aching heart is relieved by its tears” (Douglass 12). Music was a way for slaves to release their anger and sorrow in hope to find relief of their oppression. During this time in history, slaves possessed little to no rights so one of their only ways to express their beliefs was through songs. Josephine Wright states that “enslaved African Americans turned to song […] to tell their histories, record experiences, articulate aspirations for justice, vent anger, and protest the institution of slavery (414). Out of fear, slaves could not openly protest against the way they were treated.

Even though the civil rights act was signed in 1964 there were still social inequality and there was still a movement of trying to bring people together. Michael Jackson or the Jackson 5 was the first for young black people to have a figure like the Beatles. This was because the Jackson 5 were trying to bring music to white people, which they did and in return help the long ongoing civil rights movement. Additionally, some music from the 70's showcased the civil rights movement in songs by how artist would sing something out of the norm such as about the government or other issues that were being protested. This represented the civil rights movement because the sit ins or the freedom riders were a non violent act that was considered being civil disobedient that got a lot of peoples attentions and even helped with the movement, such as the songs were portrayed somewhat of a disobedience and influenced movements like the civil rights

This is not to say that the entire meaning of gospel music changed once they began being used in the movement, but songwriters and movement leaders were careful to make sure that the meaning behind the songs could be interpreted in a way that was equally related to political activism as well as non secular desirings. In this way, they were designed to “attract the masses, raise consciousness, enliven elder activism, incite youth activism, invigorate mass meetings, promote prayer vigils, and instill self-confidence” (Rabaka, 55). These songs had a lot riding on them. But as it turned out, it was not too difficult to take mainly spiritual and guiding pieces and turn them into the soundtrack of a movement. Take “We Shall Overcome”, which quickly became the anthem of the Civil Rights Movement, as an example.

All cultures following prehistory had a musical background, therefore everyone can connect more effectively with a music containing a message than a speech, therefore spreading the message more effectively. “The freedom songs are playing a strong and vital role in our struggle” (MLK). In the case of the Civil Rights Movement, it was the prominent method to give the group a voice, represent them, and highlight their determination for social change. When times were hard for the movement, they would also rely on songs to sustain morale:

From the Civil Rights Movement to the Black Lives Matter movement, music continue to be the expression of all that is contained in the movement. It shows the struggles, the passions, the history of the movements. It gives hope, brightens the day, rallies, and unifies the people of movements.

For centuries, Gospel music has influenced and promoted African-American social, moral and ethical values, playing an imperative role in modelling their past and future. Originating from the hardships of slavery and the strength of Christian worship, Gospel music has adapted to musical tastes through the development of a number of sub-genres, while retaining its moral and spiritual framework. Throughout its musical history, Gospel music has had a profound and predominant influence on its devotees and followers. During the turbulent years of the American Civil Rights Movement, Gospel music played a vital role in building the foundations of stability and

Artists like Bruno Mars, John Legend, and Alicia Keys have reflected that in their recent music by using the same melodies that were used by the slaves and civil rights activists calling for young African Americans to follow in the footsteps of those like Martin Luther King Jr. and search for the “liberty for all” that is spoken of in the Pledge of

Outside the black community, white artists such as Bob Dylan and Joan Baez played a prominent role in civil rights movement. They raised issue of civil inequality, while performing songs like: “The Times They Are a-Changin” and “We Shall Overcome” during the “March on Washington for Jobs and freedom”.

Though the blues were developed in the rural southern United States, toward the end of the 19th century, and found a wider audience in the 1940s as blacks migrated to urban areas. Jazz music has dozens of variations and also utilizes elements from other genres. Albeit the fact that it is

“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.

The rise of Soul music was a product of the particular environment of that time in which the musicians who created it lived, a period much paralleled with the Civil Rights Movement (CRM) and Black Power Movement (BPM) (Maultsby, 1983, 54). The objective of this research was to examine any existence of political and social messages delivered in Soul music around the civil rights movement era in America, which would lead to a better understanding of the role of Soul music having served in the process of political and social changes in the country.