Expression: The Culture of Social Movements in Protest Music

For this assignment you need to read:

• https://www.npr.org/2020/06/05/870259123/the-new-sounds-of-protest-and-hope (Links to an external site.)
• “How Protest Works” https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/21/opinion/sunday/how-protest-works.html (Links to an external site.)

Select 1 protest song that is associated with an extant or historical social movement (or a social cause). There are good examples in the first reading as well as below: (you are not limited to these examples)

• In a 600-700 word paper discuss the following:
  • Select a verse from the song that you feel tells the story of the song. What does the lyrical content say about the contentious politics around this issue?
  • Who is the intended audience for this song? How can music encourage people to participate in their community, their nation, and the world?
  • Why did you choose this protest song and what does it say about your “worldview” (your beliefs around the issue)
  • 15 points

** Please review the rubric to maximize your points for this assignment and integrate the ideas from the readings.

Verse/Song: The description: What does the lyrical content say about the contentious politics around this issue?

Audience: The description: Who is the intended audience for this song?

Activism: The description: How can music encourage people to participate in their community, their nation, and the world?

Application to you: The description: Why did you choose this protest song and what does it say about your “worldview” (your beliefs around the issue)

Spelling, grammar words

These are the rubric.

Other choices:

• Black Liberation Movements
• “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by James Weldon Johnson
• “Freedom” by Beyonce’ and Kendrick Lamar
• “Strange Fruit” by Billie Holiday
• “The Revolution will not be Televised” Gil Scott-Heron
• “Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud” by James Brown
• “Alright” Kendrick Lamar
• “Pride (In the Name of Love)” by U2 (Live Version)
• Anti-Colonial / Political Corruption Movements
• “Redemption Song” by Bob Marley
• “Get Up, Stand Up” by Bob Marley
• “White Riot” by The Clash
• “American Idiot” by Green Day
• “Sleep Now In the Fire” by Rage Against the Machine
• “All I Need Is One Mic” by Nas
• Anti-Poverty / Urban Movements
• “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash
• “Fight the Power” by Public Enemy
• “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” by Gil Scott-Heron
• “All I need is one mic” by Nas
• “Hallelujah Money” by Gorillaz
• Feminism / Women’s Movement
• “Just A Girl” by No Doubt
• “Respect” by Aretha Franklin
• “Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves” by Aretha Franklin and Annie Lennox
• “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette
• “Unity” by Queen Latifah
• “Man! I Feel Like A Woman” by Shania Twain
• Gay Rights / Identity Movement
• “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga
• “Relax” by Frankie Goes to Hollywood
• “Americans” Janelle Monae’
• “Small Town Boy” Bronski Beat
• “Uprising of Love” Melissa Ethridge
• Anti-War Movements
• “What’s Going On” Marvin Gay
• “Masters of War” by Bob Dylan
• “I Ain’t Marching Anymore” by Phil Ochs
• “The Times They Are Changing” by Bob Dylan
• “For What It’s Worth” by Crosby, Stills, and Nash
• “I Feel Like I’m Fixin’ to Die Rag” by Country Joe and the Fish
• “Give Peace a Chance” by Plastic One Band
• “Ohio” by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young
• Chicano Activism: https://www.npr.org/sections/world-cafe/2016/08/25/491373782/latin-roots-chicano-activism (Links to an external site.)
• If you use examples from here or other Spanish songs, please translate.