Make The Black Nation Rise Essay

Discrimination, poverty, and unemployment are just a few factors that inspired the rise of Black power movements, and can also be seen in the song “How We Gonna Make the Black Nation Rise”. The song “How We Gonna Make the Black Nation Rise” by Brother D consists of many diverse messages about racial inequality and is considered to be the first political rap record. This song, and many others, is an art form that is demonstrating history on what racial inequality Black citizens had to face. Different music genres consisting of gospel, blues, and jazz are all useful in understanding how music plays a role in Black culture and gives others a deeper understanding on the fearful discrimination they faced. The song “How We Gonna Make the Black …show more content…
He makes it clear in his song that Black citizens will not stand by and let violent racial acts occur anymore, stating “Just understanding we’re pro Black, and we’re against anyone or anything that tries to hold us back”. By saying this, he is finding redemption, ensuring others that the Black Nation will rise and will be saved from the evil acts of racism. This step is also seen when Brother D repeatedly says “We’re fired up! Won’t take no more”, because it is clear to see that he has strong beliefs that the Black Nation will regain its strength. In Craig Werner’s book ‘A Change is Gonna Come: Music, Race & the Soul of America’, he states that gospel music “affirms a belief that life's burdens can be transformed into hope, salvations, the promise of redemption” (Werner, 1998), this is a very strong function seen in Brother D’s song because he promises that the Black Nation will rise and he gives others hope that racial inequality will end, which is another reason why his song fits under the gospel