Amanda Stevenson
Profs. Kuykendall & Woodiwiss
MU/PO 215
6 April 2016
Historically, music has been routinely used as a tool of resistance. Specifically in the United States, music has been present for a plethora of extreme situations, from the encouragement found in the coded songs of slaves, to the inspired anthems used as motivation in violent riots in Ferguson, Missouri. However, the results of music’s effect in these situations have varied greatly. This is due to the fact that music simply cannot be used as a tool without someone to apply it. Music can be used as “movement politics”, which is the delegation of music to a certain cause, influencing politics. Music is simply an expression and action comes from someone outwardly reacting …show more content…
While it did not come to a quick end by any means, slavery was abolished not only because of the governmental declaration, but also due to the willingness to act of the people suffering. While oppressed, slaves use songs as signals for certain actions. Even then, the music was not the action, but rather, it provoked it. The music was the signal for something else. Some songs were merely used as encouragement to get through a task. However, certain songs held very specific hidden messages or directions. For example, the song Wade in the Water “explained to runaways how to escape from bloodhounds”. Simply put, in this case, the periphery of the society was displeased with their situation and so they took steps to change it. This particular slave song did not encourage riots or violence, but it did go directly against the hegemonic regime of the slave owners and the slave trade …show more content…
If music alone changed order, then there would not be as much variety. Music as “movement politics” relies solely on actions. However, the margin for potential error is too broad too make an all encompassing statement that music has enough leverage to change an established order. Establishing this standard would require all emotional responses to be within the same bracket and that is not the case. One person may consider a song completely passive, while another may view the work as revolutionary. An example of this is the culmination of reactions to Beyoncé’s Formation. Interpretations of the lyrics ranged from being celebratory of heritage to threatening domestic security of police. While at times it may seem as if music has altered a situation, modifications are only the result of actions. However, whether music has the power to change well established institutions is unclear. Music certainly can be an added factor to potentially hazardous situations, but it is not necessary for a certain result. That is, music simply adds to situations, intensifying the good or bad presented along with
Profs. Kuykendall & Woodiwiss
MU/PO 215
6 April 2016
Historically, music has been routinely used as a tool of resistance. Specifically in the United States, music has been present for a plethora of extreme situations, from the encouragement found in the coded songs of slaves, to the inspired anthems used as motivation in violent riots in Ferguson, Missouri. However, the results of music’s effect in these situations have varied greatly. This is due to the fact that music simply cannot be used as a tool without someone to apply it. Music can be used as “movement politics”, which is the delegation of music to a certain cause, influencing politics. Music is simply an expression and action comes from someone outwardly reacting …show more content…
While it did not come to a quick end by any means, slavery was abolished not only because of the governmental declaration, but also due to the willingness to act of the people suffering. While oppressed, slaves use songs as signals for certain actions. Even then, the music was not the action, but rather, it provoked it. The music was the signal for something else. Some songs were merely used as encouragement to get through a task. However, certain songs held very specific hidden messages or directions. For example, the song Wade in the Water “explained to runaways how to escape from bloodhounds”. Simply put, in this case, the periphery of the society was displeased with their situation and so they took steps to change it. This particular slave song did not encourage riots or violence, but it did go directly against the hegemonic regime of the slave owners and the slave trade …show more content…
If music alone changed order, then there would not be as much variety. Music as “movement politics” relies solely on actions. However, the margin for potential error is too broad too make an all encompassing statement that music has enough leverage to change an established order. Establishing this standard would require all emotional responses to be within the same bracket and that is not the case. One person may consider a song completely passive, while another may view the work as revolutionary. An example of this is the culmination of reactions to Beyoncé’s Formation. Interpretations of the lyrics ranged from being celebratory of heritage to threatening domestic security of police. While at times it may seem as if music has altered a situation, modifications are only the result of actions. However, whether music has the power to change well established institutions is unclear. Music certainly can be an added factor to potentially hazardous situations, but it is not necessary for a certain result. That is, music simply adds to situations, intensifying the good or bad presented along with