It 's easy to think of Art as something created merely for self expression. When compared to the many medical and technological innovations happening in the world today, some see art as a waste of time and resources. However, when one diminishes the value of art in this way they may be blind to its power. Art can expose us to the social issues we may not be as aware of and push us to resolve those issues. Art can give voice to those who may not be able to in other forms express their emotions. It humanizes their experiences and showcases the emotions behind them. Art can sometimes even shock and impel us into a reaction. Artists like Suheir Hammad and Helen Reddy have used their art to voice their experiences and adversity as women in society.
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"I Am Woman" is a song written by artist Helen Reddy. This song directly and powerfully addresses issues of feminism, women’s rights, and gender equality. Within the song she is assertive about women no longer being submissive or accepting their inferior social status “…I’ve been down there on the floor… No one’s ever gonna keep me down again”, “I am strong I am invincible I am woman”. For many years females have been treated as inferior and lesser than males. They have always been forced into a submissive position within society. When Helen Reddy released this song she was pushing back against that; empowering women to embrace themselves despite what society has encouraged. In his book What is Art?, Leo Tolstoy explains how art should have an effect on others. “The activity of art is based on the fact that man receiving through his sense of hearing and sight another man 's expression of feeling, is capable of experiencing the emotion which moved the man who expressed it.”(Tolstoy 1) In this Tolstoy is saying that the artist through his art must be able to invoke the same emotion in the viewer or listener that he intended when creating the art. In Helen Reddy’s song I Am Women she wrote the song with strong feelings of empowerment and strength and that definitely translated. This song became an anthem for many women. Those who listened to it felt the same feeling of power Reddy …show more content…
For many artists in the United States, art is a platform that helps to voice social injustices like those among oppressed groups such as women and African Americans. Examples are musicians Helen Reddy and James Cooke. Both artists used their music in order to express their experiences living in inferior social groups in the United States. Helen Reddy 's “I Am Women” expressed empowerment and self appreciation. Despite societal setbacks her song echoed power to women who at the time might not have felt very powerful because of where they were told they stood socially. Sam cooke in his emotional song “A Change Is Gonna Come” voiced his experience and feelings living as an African American man in the United States. He also expressed his hope for the future and inspired many other African Americans not only at the time but still to this day. Art gives voice to those who have been pushed down and silenced by society. It humanizes their experiences. Art touches people emotionally and sometimes impacts them enough to create a change. When creating a piece of art, artists not only give themselves a voice but they immortalize their experience so that it can continue to be heard long after they are gone. People will remember the power behind “I Am Women” and the hope displayed in ‘A Change Is Gonna Come”. Art speaks
"I Am Woman" is a song written by artist Helen Reddy. This song directly and powerfully addresses issues of feminism, women’s rights, and gender equality. Within the song she is assertive about women no longer being submissive or accepting their inferior social status “…I’ve been down there on the floor… No one’s ever gonna keep me down again”, “I am strong I am invincible I am woman”. For many years females have been treated as inferior and lesser than males. They have always been forced into a submissive position within society. When Helen Reddy released this song she was pushing back against that; empowering women to embrace themselves despite what society has encouraged. In his book What is Art?, Leo Tolstoy explains how art should have an effect on others. “The activity of art is based on the fact that man receiving through his sense of hearing and sight another man 's expression of feeling, is capable of experiencing the emotion which moved the man who expressed it.”(Tolstoy 1) In this Tolstoy is saying that the artist through his art must be able to invoke the same emotion in the viewer or listener that he intended when creating the art. In Helen Reddy’s song I Am Women she wrote the song with strong feelings of empowerment and strength and that definitely translated. This song became an anthem for many women. Those who listened to it felt the same feeling of power Reddy …show more content…
For many artists in the United States, art is a platform that helps to voice social injustices like those among oppressed groups such as women and African Americans. Examples are musicians Helen Reddy and James Cooke. Both artists used their music in order to express their experiences living in inferior social groups in the United States. Helen Reddy 's “I Am Women” expressed empowerment and self appreciation. Despite societal setbacks her song echoed power to women who at the time might not have felt very powerful because of where they were told they stood socially. Sam cooke in his emotional song “A Change Is Gonna Come” voiced his experience and feelings living as an African American man in the United States. He also expressed his hope for the future and inspired many other African Americans not only at the time but still to this day. Art gives voice to those who have been pushed down and silenced by society. It humanizes their experiences. Art touches people emotionally and sometimes impacts them enough to create a change. When creating a piece of art, artists not only give themselves a voice but they immortalize their experience so that it can continue to be heard long after they are gone. People will remember the power behind “I Am Women” and the hope displayed in ‘A Change Is Gonna Come”. Art speaks