#hold power and authority acountable

[kd-22]

Crew Rationale

Group name: The Words Behind the Movement

Group members: Alexis Musaelyan-Blackmon, Katie Do, Jason Harris, Ayeisha Lawrence 

Overview:

Showcasing BLM/Racial Inequality Through Song Lyrics

Idea:

Music allows listeners to reflect on the ways that black struggle, liberation, and identity have evolved in the United States and around the world. Many artists push back against racial violence through music by using their voice and platform to decry entrenched systems of power. The importance of music in the Black Lives Matter movement will be demonstrated through lyric analysis as music can stir strong emotions, build group identities, and amass individuals to take action. Dissecting song lyrics to showcase how Black Artists utilized lyrics to influence society against racial inequality and voicing the BLM movement. Our intended audience would be directed towards those who don’t understand the lyrics behind their favorite type of music like hip hop/rap, and r&b..

Songs that are highlighted are taken. 

Artist/Songs: 

“Changes” - 2pac

 Expresses what Black people have to struggle with daily and ideally comes to the conclusion that there needs to be changes 

“DNA” - Kendrick Lamar 

Speaks on the issues of internalized racism that has been perpetuated by white supremacy within the United States. There is a point within the song where Kendrick plays a clip of a news anchor quoting, “rap music has done more harm to african americans than racism.” which proves his point on how white people will try and pin racial issues on black people themselves rather than taking acountability. 

H.E.R - “I Can’t Breath”

Covers recent killings of unarmed Black people, police brutality, the fight to hold the police accountable. She makes references to the #Alllivesmatter movement was a response to BLM and how that silences the Black voice and instead of advocating for change it is just a way to redirect the conversation. 

Blood Orange - “Sandra’s Smile”

Focuses on the death of Sandra Bland after her wrongful imprisonment and the prevalence of wrongful detainment in the Black community.

“Fuck the Police” NWA

Speaks on issues relating police brutaility being disproportionately being carried out amongst black people. Song actively rebels against the crooked policing system. “They have the authority to kill a minority” is a lyric that has been sung and explains how police can get away with taking away lives of people of color with little repercussion.

Beyonce - “Freedom”

Sheds light on the struggles and strengths of the Black community by making a political statement of support for the Black Lives Matter movement and the fight against police brutality.

J. Cole - “Neighbors” 

Covers America’s perception on Black people, how simply being Black is a crime alluding to systemic racism. He talks about how racial injustice infects every level of society. He emphasizes criminalization of Blackness and the oppression associated. In this song it highlights his own life and how these perceptions of Black people undermine him as a person. 

“Land of the Free” Joey Bada$$

Speaks on issues such as systemic racism in general and how the U.S fails to take appropiate action to help remedy the harm they have done to black people. “300 years we seen the cold shoulder” is a lyric sung and explains that for all of America’s history, black people have been given a cold shoulder.  

“The Hell You Talmbout” - Janelle Monae

Janelle Monae highlights the victims of police brutality in her song through chants of various African American people who died due to encounters of racial violence.

“Black Rage” - Lauryn Hill 

Discusses the brutality Black people have to endure; expresses the pain and suffering of these injustices 

Lil Baby - “The Bigger Picture”

A call for justice against police brutality in the US, systemic racism, inclusion of activism, showcases protests and chants. It also includes frustration with boxed stereotypes; he sees the “bigger picture” rather than social ills from a microcosmic perspective. 

“Alright” Kendrick Lamar

         This song can be seen as a “symbol” of optimism for Black people despite the oppression and and struggle they have to face, ex… police brutality

         An anthem of positivity for civil unrest 

“The Blacker The Berry” 

        Showcases a realization Kendrick Lamar has about being African American 

         Demonstrates the perspectives of how “others” (White people) view Black people

         References police brutality