Racism And Music

For as long as mankind has walked on this earth, music has been an important part of our culture and lifestyles. Each walk of life beats to a different drum. Different cultures use music for many aspects of their lives; for religious purposes, for celebrations, for comfort, for sorrow, for relaxation, for sports, for dances, for energy, for learning, for sleeping, and for sexual experiences. Everyone uses music for something. Music connects with people and reaches them in ways that words simply cannot. Music is a representation of what feelings sound like. It expresses emotion and brings that characteristic out from within us; it tells us a story. Every generation has its’ own sound and different music styles have emerged and become

Some may say music is just music; a song is just a song. However, music plays an enormous role in our psychology, because a single song has the ability to bring about many kinds of thoughts and emotions in the listener. Music is subtly one of the main factors in which people identify with certain groups and establish their belonging in society. It shapes people’s perspectives on how the world functions and the roles they play within it. Music can function the same way in a culture; it can reflect many of the culture’s values and ideologies. Music can have many effects on culture and the people’s idea of who they think they are within that culture. Music can serve in a way that promotes cultural identity and pride, yet it could also play a

In the American Academy of Pediatric web article "Impact Of Music, Music Lyrics, And Music Videos On Children And The Youth" it explained that music provides entertainment and distraction from individual problems. It also serves as a way to relieve tension and boredom. Music is one of the most distinctive aspect of one’s country and or culture; but how do these melodic rhythms affect individuals, families and whole society? For example, Dembow, Rap, and Hip Hop have become an important part of the Dominican Republic culture. Although this genre is popular it also brings negativity to the society. Hip Hop promotes violence, vulgarity and the degradation of women.

I can say that for myself, I have witness how Hip Hop has created racial bounds. One day I visited our schools steam room, and shortly after a white boy came in and sat down next to me. I noticed that he was listening to a Meek Mill album that had just been released. I found this similarity between us that we both had herd the new album. Because of this interest we shared I decided to spark up a conversation with him about his reviews on the album. Our conversation progressed and I noticed how we were just sitting there holding a mutual conversation. I know that without me noticing what he was listening to he would have never held a conversation with me just by the way that I look.

Racism is all about difference and power. A song, Black, Brown and White was recorded and it implies that there were more people from the black side who experience unemployment than people from the white side (Bloch & Solomos, 2010). This is a clear manifestation of racism in songs for the issue tackled degrades the abilities of the black people. Although the effects of racism are not seen, it has its psychological effects on blacks and the racists.

It included multiple, fascinating examples of the effect of music on people from a neurological perspective as well as an emotional one. The book elaborates on particular subject cases involving music or where music has been a by-product of a particular incident and elaborates upon these cases in a manner which is both interesting and enabled me to think further on the subject of music as well as the behaviour of the human

Music is an aspect of our day-to-day lives. We listen to it either on the radio while getting ready for work, through the iPod while working out, at the restaurant or at a weekend party. It has the power to evoke different emotions, whether sad or happy, depending on the type that we listen to.

Music can affect our lives without us realizing it, different types of music can even make us react in different ways.

Music surrounds us in our everyday lives. We hear it when we are in the car, at work, when we are shopping, at restaurants, at doctor's offices, and many more places. The music serves a purpose other than entertainment at many of these places. Music has the power to influence characterization in people and it’s no secret that it’s a convenience for everyone. Music is used in many ways to enhance and embellish the lives of people. It is meant to be consumed, whether it is by the listener, performer, or composer. It is a way to translate feelings and desires that are sometimes difficult to express using language.

Thesis: Music is a unique form of sound powerful enough to manipulate mood, feelings, and cognition.

People listen to music for a variety of reasons. Some listen to music to relax in which it serves as a sort of escape from everyday life, some because they are a fan and follow a certain artist, and others because they can relate the lyrics to their own personal experiences. Whichever the case may be, music has and continues to serve an important role in people’s lives.

Music is the expression of the society. People tend to share their opinion and express themselves through the music. Consequently, music become in an important way to influence the society’s thought.

Rap music is categorized to be mainly for African Americans. Some people believe that rap music causes young children to grow up and become violent in some way, shape, or form. Apparently the music is supposed to make kids think that bad things are ok to do simply because these rap artists can do it. If someone does not normally listen to rap music, the first thing they recognize is the way the music sounds. What they are missing are what the artists are speaking on. “Rap music is rich with messages about life experiences, strategies for overcoming life obstacles, and perspectives on how to prioritize these strategies” (Travis 148). Regardless of what the music sounds it is all about the story behind the song. Also rap music can grab

A song or a piece of music has the power to transform an individual and take them not only to a different state of mind, but quite possibly a different consciousness. Making or singing music also has the power to transform an individual. “There is a resemblance of music in pitch, volume, rhythm, melody and structure to the natural human expression of emotion in voice, demeanor and behavior” (Ushedo, 2006, 1). Making music can create an environment where it indirectly teaches individuals communication and social skills through the emotions brought out by the music. The social interaction between individuals with behavioral problems has been aided by using musical activities. It can “encourage or motivate communication through musical activities, which are responsive to the child to promote eye contact, turn taking, sharing, joint attention” (Stephenson, 2006, 297). While creating a calmer and more relaxed environment with musical activities, behavioral problems can be aided through the use of this form of music therapy.