“A pamphlet, no matter how good, is never read more than once. But a song is learned by heart and repeated over and over.” Joe Hill, IWW organizer
art and social justice
Working on social justice in a classroom presents us with a risk: that we can get caught up in the philosophical and intellectual aspects of social justice and neglect staying rooted in the emotional side of working for social justice. That’s why we began the year with stories—stories have heart and resonate with our emotions. So do the arts. The arts play an important role in inspiring people to act, understand and make change. Music has played a crucial role in social social justice movements for a long time. African Slaves, shipped to the Americas, called each other to rebellion with drums and conch shells, and slaveowners frequently outlawed drumming in response. North American Plains Indians revived the 19th century Ghost Dance a century later, each time accompanying their ceremonies with drums and singing. Like so much cultural expression in the face of adversity, their rhythm was the heartbeat of a movement against oppression. Striking miners in the United States and elsewhere accompanied their protests with music. Recent decades have globalized the sound of social justice. The American Civil Rights movement famously made "we shall overcome" the chant of a generation. Nigerian Fela Kuti and multiple generations of Jamaican Reggae artists' music resonates among those who fight against oppressive regimes. There are countless anti-war songs from across the globe. Recently North African hip hop artists have inspired those across the Arab World to 'vote with their feet' and hip hop in the US has long served as a force for media and cultural critique (see: What if the Tea Party was Black").
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Annual selectionsreadings and suggestions for arts and social justice |
The Assignment:
Identify or create a piece of music, visual art, drama or performance that inspires you and moves you to act and understand social justice in some way. We’ll works of art from everyone in the class, compile them and post them on our webpage. Each person will write a statement to accompany their song as well—what is your piece about? Why did you choose it? What does it say to you? Make it personal.
Search for a video (or image) of the work on the web. If you are having trouble, let me know, and I’ll give you some suggestions and help. See the website for previously selected songs, articles about music and protest and how to send the embed link with your video. Post your outline/draft/selection of liner notes/song in your Google Docs. Liner notes should express a personal connection to the song and shall include the following in the following format:
Identify or create a piece of music, visual art, drama or performance that inspires you and moves you to act and understand social justice in some way. We’ll works of art from everyone in the class, compile them and post them on our webpage. Each person will write a statement to accompany their song as well—what is your piece about? Why did you choose it? What does it say to you? Make it personal.
Search for a video (or image) of the work on the web. If you are having trouble, let me know, and I’ll give you some suggestions and help. See the website for previously selected songs, articles about music and protest and how to send the embed link with your video. Post your outline/draft/selection of liner notes/song in your Google Docs. Liner notes should express a personal connection to the song and shall include the following in the following format:
- Your Name
- Name of song or work of art
- Artist
- URL to video or image of work
- Analysis of song or work of art and how it inspires, moves or changes you when you hear it. What do you like? Does it make you want to act—and if so, why? Quote(s) from lyrics or the script, or describe elements of the piece. How does this work inspire you to act for social justice?
how to upload liner notes and video
- First, be sure to read samples from previous students.
- See instructions above; include in bold print: Your Name, Song/Art Title, Artist and be sure to post in your Google Docs. Copy and paste it in the class document as well which will be uploaded to the website.