Music is one of the most well-known forms of protest. Song allows millions of people to connect through lyrics they believe in. Although it may be controversial, musicians are able to use their platforms to raise awareness about anything they deem necessary (Berkin 3). According to Mikal Gilmore, music in the 1960s “enriched a progressive struggle that is far from over.” (Gilmore 22).Throughout the 1960s, different styles of music influenced and reflected social aspects such as war, racism, and drug-use.
During the 1960s, many social movements were occurring. These included protests about the Vietnam War, civil rights, and a new wave of drug use. Many young troops were sent overseas to fight in the Vietnam War. The American public as a whole became …show more content…
Racism was still a prevalent issue in America, and many were doing their part to combat the unfair treatment of minorities all over the country (Morrison 2). Music was one way this movement progressed so rapidly. As Martin Luther King Jr. said in 1964, “Jazz speaks for life… (musicians) take the hardest realities of life and put them into music, only to come out with some new hope or sense of triumph. This is triumphant music.” (Morrison 1). The civil rights movement was full of songs that unified and motivated people to fight for equal rights for everyone (Morrison 3). Jimmy McGriff’s “Lift Every Voice and Sing” was one of the most popular songs, and was eventually claimed as the anthem for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (Morrison 4). With lyrics such as “Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us/ Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us/ Facing the rising sun of our new day begun/ Let us march on till victory is won”, it is clear that “Lift Every Voice and Sing” is a song of hope for the African Americans that had fought for so long to be treated as
During the 1960s, many social movements were occurring. These included protests about the Vietnam War, civil rights, and a new wave of drug use. Many young troops were sent overseas to fight in the Vietnam War. The American public as a whole became …show more content…
Racism was still a prevalent issue in America, and many were doing their part to combat the unfair treatment of minorities all over the country (Morrison 2). Music was one way this movement progressed so rapidly. As Martin Luther King Jr. said in 1964, “Jazz speaks for life… (musicians) take the hardest realities of life and put them into music, only to come out with some new hope or sense of triumph. This is triumphant music.” (Morrison 1). The civil rights movement was full of songs that unified and motivated people to fight for equal rights for everyone (Morrison 3). Jimmy McGriff’s “Lift Every Voice and Sing” was one of the most popular songs, and was eventually claimed as the anthem for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (Morrison 4). With lyrics such as “Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us/ Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us/ Facing the rising sun of our new day begun/ Let us march on till victory is won”, it is clear that “Lift Every Voice and Sing” is a song of hope for the African Americans that had fought for so long to be treated as