Music In Protest

516 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Music as a tool of protest and social change

Music has an influence on the world far beyond entertaining drivers on their morning commute. Though commonly thought of as simply an art form, music has been a powerful tool throughout history. In some ways, it has changed the course of history in monumental ways. Music has been used to end the regimes of dictators, spark the fires of civil rights movements, and bring aid to disaster ridden countries.

Music and Politics
Throughout history the use of music in protest has been seen. From 2010 to 2012 the Arab world protested at what was called “The Arab spring”. More specifically in Egypt, citizens protested in the streets, singing music written by Ramy Essam calling for the end of the regime led by Hosni Mubarak. After 18 days of protest the dictator resigned and was sentenced to life in prison.
A more famous example of music being used to bring down a dictator can be seen in the detainment of Manuel Noriega by The United States. Noriega was wanted for drug trafficking in the US. On Christmas Day in 1989, they surrounded the Vatican Embassy where he was hiding and proceeded to blast heavy metal music around the clock. After five days of psychological torture, Noriega surrendered himself to the US.
Music and Civil Rights …show more content…

His music was used as an anthem across the country that inspired people to voice their need for change. Another musician who became the voice for a movement was Bob Marley, he created numerous songs calling for the rising of African American protest for equality. Marley was so passionate that he played a show two days after being shot in an assassination attempt. When asked why he still played the show, Marley (1976) was quoted as saying, “The people who are trying to make this world worse aren't taking a day off. How can I?” cited Haltiwagner

Show More
Related

  • REGGAE AND ZYDECO

    3174 Words  | 7 Pages

    If one were to look back into the world’s history, one would find that an important and consistent element is the world of music. Music has presented itself in various forms throughout its spread and through our identification of its magical realm, people have been fortunate enough to come across a means of relation. Whether it is blues and reggae or rap and pop rock, there is music out there for everyone. Music can serve as a stabilizer for some, a relaxant to others, and to many a form of inspiration.

    Read More

  • Music of the Civil Rights Era

    1022 Words  | 3 Pages

    A major situation in which the music was used was massive protests on public property called sit-ins. Sit-ins were protesting strategies by African Americans during the Civil Rights Era where they would sit in on diners, bathrooms and “public” locations that they weren’t allowed and wouldn’t leave until they were given equality or service. During these protests, African Americans would sing songs of freedom and good times ahead and would adapt these songs from past songs of slavery and inequality were revived and reused from before (Stewart). Many white Americans would discriminate those doing this to try to diminish their morale on the right, but as a response the African Americans would continue to sit and sing s...

    Read More

  • The History of Slave Music and its Impact on Modern Music

    2049 Words  | 5 Pages

    Music is an art and a wonderful gift to human race. It soothes, stimulates and makes us feel happy. It affects our moods in many different ways from lullaby to war cry for changes in the society. Music is actually distinct to different people. Above all, it has a transformational importance that is captured in its art and nature. Music draws our emotions and it has an impact of bridging different cultures across the continents. Slave songs were very vital channels through which all kind of information was conveyed both positive and negative.

    Read More

  • The Influence of Protest Music during the 1960’s And Beyond

    3810 Words  | 8 Pages

    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 protest music, which has reached out to the youthful generations everywhere demanding for a revolutionary change. The protest music took the children of the 1960’s to a completely new different level. Musicians of this generation were not going to sit and do nothing while the government lied to the people about what was going on in Vietnam. Instead, they took their guitar-strumming troubadours from the coffee houses, plugged them in, and sent the music and the message into the college dorm rooms and the homes of the youth of America. However, as decades went by, protest music does not have much of an impact as it use to because of the way things have changed over the years. Through the analysis of the music during the 1960’s, there shall be an understanding on how the different genres of protest music has affected social protesters based on how musicians have become the collective conscience of that generation through their lyrics and music and the main factors that contributed to the lack of popula...

    Read More

  • How Did The Swing Era Impact Society

    1252 Words  | 3 Pages

    Music’s role on society has changed drastically through the course of its history as it has become ever so increasingly expansive. Many of the previous musical movements were only for the wealthy as entertainment

    Read More

  • The ‘60s: Culture and Music

    1486 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout our history, music has constantly been influenced by trends of its time, reflecting social, economic and political changes. On the other hand, music has defined the culture and social events or leading them to social revolution. For instance, guys like Bob Dylan and Stevie Wonder greatly contributed to social events. Such leaders and musical revolutionaries have existed throughout history.

    Read More

  • Music In Protest

    2250 Words  | 5 Pages

    Protest is not always in the form of picketing outside a private property. There can be many forms of protest. Some include picketing, rioting, mass gatherings, strikes, and petitions. The difference between this and using music as a form of protest, aside from violence, is that music can be done in a way that almost everyone can appreciate. Music does not hurt anybody. In fact, music is something that almost every human being in the world likes. The style of music changes throughout each person but the core of music is similar in everybody. Music is something that brings everybody together and using it as a way of protest, for necessary reasons, is a great idea compared to the other forms of protest such as picketing, rioting, etc.

    Read More

  • Reggae: The Music of Protest

    2352 Words  | 5 Pages

    ...layed the One Love Peace Concert in Kingston, bringing the two leaders of the violently warring Jamaican political parties (Michael Manley and Edward Seaga) together in a largely symbolic peacemaking gesture. Marley had been awarded the UN Peace Medal in 1978 for his humanitarian achievements. His sociopolitical influence also earned him an invitation to perform in 1980 at the ceremonies celebrating majority rule and internationally recognized independence of Zimbabwe. After one month later of his death Marley was awarded Jamaica’s Order of Merit.

    Read More

  • Music as a Tool of Protest and Social Change

    1915 Words  | 4 Pages

    “Music is uniquely wonderful. It is incapable of being touched yet it touches everyone who is capable of hear sounds. It can seemingly evoke any emotion; we instinctively respond to happy tunes, mournful songs, beautiful melodies, inspiring anthems, stirring hymns, and majestic orchestrations.” (Doolan, Robert. 1985) There is no question that music is great part of society; it has been at civilization’s side whether it be the lyres and flutes of the ancient Greeks or how it calms or excites emotions and keeps armies in order during battle. Within society, there has also been social unrest and the desire for change. Protesting is the expression of a society’s concerns on current events of which they feel affected by whether it be through public rallies, picketing, riots or even bombings. Protest through music is one powerful medium for engaging people. Amidst what life throws at individuals, music has comforted the soul, provoked individualistic thought and opinion, and music draws people together through groups alike who have the same attachment or concerns with their surroundings. Whether it be rock, jazz, blues, rap, hip hop, dance, spiritual, or world, music has inspired artists to spill out their expression and views of society. Music is a universally effective tool of protest in generating social change and unrest as it continues to unite those with like ideas.

    Read More

  • Music and Cultural Identity

    1236 Words  | 3 Pages

    Music plays a huge role in the structure of a society. It can have both negative and positive influence on cultures and communities. First, musical sounds and instruments can be a dividing factor between the people within the same culture. These opposing social and economic identities within these cultures can lead unnecessary animosity between the members. However, music can also be one of the forces that unite members of a culture and provide a sense pride for everyone. This makes it easier for people to display their identification to that culture.

    Read More

  • Bob Dylan's Influence during the Civil Rights Movements

    1207 Words  | 3 Pages

    During the Civil Rights Movement, Bob Dylan used his talent of music as his tool to help the movement sweep through the nation. Dylan had very big ambitions for not only his life alone, but for the world. Dylan had a massive influence on people’s minds, hearts, and souls. Dylan had a message to share. He was looking for a change, and it would come along if he had anything to do with it.

    Read More

  • Nkosi Sikelel' Africa: A Song Made More Popular by the Government's Banning

    1338 Words  | 3 Pages

    The music from the Apartheid in South Africa was extremely important in the movement for freedom. At a time when there wasn’t much money for the Anti-Apartheid Movement, music became the most important weapon. The songs sung all over South Africa in resistance to the Apartheid intimidated the government more than weapons and violence could because of the powerful meaning behind each song that unified and strengthened the resistance. Artists all over South Africa wrote songs speaking out against the government and its cruel laws and although many of them were banned, the people of South Africa heard them and sang them to protest the rules of the government.

    Read More

  • Censorship of Music

    1642 Words  | 4 Pages

    Music has always been a basic form of expression. From Antonin Dvorak, to Eminem, to even ancient, tribal music, it has been a medium through which individuals convey their thoughts and expressions. Today this medium is under attack. Everywhere we turn, everything we do and say is being scrutinized. We are being told what to say. We are being spoon-fed our emotions. No longer are we allowed to think freely, openly. All the censors out there are on the prowl for another piece to rip to shreds because it doesn't fit their description of what is decent and moral. What they fail to realize is that we don't make the music for them... We do it for release.

    Read More

  • 1960's Music Influence

    865 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the 1960’s, music was used as a media outlet to communicate a wide range of issues. The lyrics of many rising and popular artists of the time actively confronted politics, publically expressing prevalent feelings of empathy, concern, and anger through music. This activism through music was especially prevalent in the anti-war movement. Artists such as Bob Dylan, Country Joe and the Fish, and Phil Ochs released anti-war anthems that received much popularity and empowered the youth to rally in an expedition for “liberation” and change (Rebel Music through the Decades). Bob Dylan’s “Masters of War” was a protest song which “signified the ideas of the students and young people who were protesting against the war” (Bob Dylan 1960’s). The song aggressively attacked and criticized the U.S. government and the way in which it forced young and innocent people to fight in a war they did not commit to. Its radical lyrics accused government higher ups to “set back and watch; when the death count gets higher… hide in [their] mansion'; As young people's blood; Fl...

    Read More

  • Violence Against Women In Music

    993 Words  | 2 Pages

    Particularly distressing in today's society is the level of dysfunctional relationships. Values considered outdated and baseless, such as mutual respect, consideration for another person's feelings, and common courtesy, are becoming extinct human customs. Especially troubling are the violent misogynous messages infused in hard-core rock and rap music and their negative effects on today's youth.

    Read More

More about Music In Protest

Open Document