Pieces of music/videos that speak on injustice
Alright by Kendrick Lamar is a rap song that discusses the lack of freedom and social issues that the black community faces today. The song draws parallels to "Negro Spirituals" sung during Slavery. It is a modern day take on the trials and tribulations black people face today and the message is "Even though we might not have freedom as long as we have faith in God we will be alright." The video features this black and white filter which can be used to describe the current state of society as being mostly black and white. The black and white could also be trying to relate to the past and how much has not changed. One particular scene also shows this, the scene in which the police car is burning and a group of men are celebrating is reminiscent of the LA riots in the ninety's. There is also an additional scene in which a black man is being slammed into the wall by a white police officer and after managing to get away, is shot. These scenes show that struggle for freedom is still very real in the black community and that despite the efforts of past trailblazers there is till much room for growth in America.
I Want to Break Free by Queen is LGBTQ anthem. The lyrics scream liberation from a personal prison of not being able to express yourself and the song in itself represents the desire for freedom to love whoever they want. The song also came out around the time the Gay rights movement began to sweep the nation. The video shows the band members dressed as women in a time when the LGBTQ community were beginning to organize itself into an actual movement.
You Don't Own Me by Lesley Gore came at the peak of the Women's right movement. The song is perfectly titled as a statement that completely goes against the previous notion that women were only around for men's pleasure. Gore sings about how happy she is to be free from that lifestyle singing, "I'm free and I love to be free. To live my life the way I want. To say and do whatever I please!" The song is relevant to present day with the feminist movement and the #MeToo movement which play onthe same ideals sung within the song.
Other Relevant Songs:
Freedom by Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar
I'm Coming Out by Diana Ross
Pray by Sam Smith
Boys Keep Swinging by David Bowie
Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday
Strange Fruition by Lupe Fiasco
Respect by Aretha Franklin
Our Revolution by Sarah Jones
Freedom by Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar
I'm Coming Out by Diana Ross
Pray by Sam Smith
Boys Keep Swinging by David Bowie
Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday
Strange Fruition by Lupe Fiasco
Respect by Aretha Franklin
Our Revolution by Sarah Jones
Pieces of Art that are relavent to today, as well as fifty years ago.
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From not accepting black people into white schools, to not accepting the LGBTQ community, to not allowing women to be their own woman, to not accepting immigrants into this country; There is still a continuing struggle of prejudice against minorities groups. Knowing this, can we truly say that we have all achieved freedom? Or has this "American Dream" that has always been sold to us been false? They say the "American Dream" is "not about having stuff, its about having opportunity". Yet, the having of opportunity is not applied equally to everyone. Has the system always been built for minorities to fail? Is the "American Dream" attainable to those coming from other countries to make a better life for themselves?
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