Music and Politics by Dom Malpica https://padlet.com/dommalpica/w41ie9r6cmzx en-us 2018-04-16 20:52:04 UTC 2025-01-21 21:15:05 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Lovecoffee.png Music and Politics dommalpica https://padlet.com/dommalpica/w41ie9r6cmzx/wish/252345353 I chose the song "Say it Loud, Im Black and I'm Proud" by James Brown. I had never heard the song until now, so it was definitely not a song I was acquainted with. The song is about being black and proud, hence the title. I am not black, so this song doesn't directly apply to me. However, I did enjoy the song, and as a person of color, I love the proud message it sends. The lyrics in the verses talk about some of the hardships that African Americans have faced and continue to face. The chorus says "Say it loud! I'm black and I'm proud", which sends a proud, positive message, encouraging African Americans to take pride in their race and culture. I love music and art that encourages pride and positivity despite oppression. This song can be applicable all around the world, since there are black people all around the globe. Having a world-wide relatable song is en extremely powerful thing, which is why this song is so significant. You really don't see songs that talk about being white and proud, and I think that's because it's pretty obvious that white people are proud and privileged. It is oppressed communities like the black community that needs artists to make empowering songs like these. ]]> 2018-04-16 20:54:13 UTC https://padlet.com/dommalpica/w41ie9r6cmzx/wish/252345353 Say it Loud! dommalpica https://padlet.com/dommalpica/w41ie9r6cmzx/wish/252347352 The song "Say it Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud" by James Brown is very politically charged. America has a dark history when it comes to its treatment of African American people. From slavery, to segregation, to discrimination and racial profiling, African Americans and people of color in general have had it extremely rough in America. One thing that many people turn to in times of hardships is music. This song provided (and still provides) peace and pride in times of racial hardships. I think that this song will always be relevant and important, because unfortunately we still aren't equal in America in terms of race. ]]> 2018-04-16 21:03:07 UTC https://padlet.com/dommalpica/w41ie9r6cmzx/wish/252347352 dommalpica https://padlet.com/dommalpica/w41ie9r6cmzx/wish/252352056 The effect of black music on white people," he continues, "did not always lead to overt changes, but to a widening of vision, a softening of the heart, and an increase in tolerance."
Cuthbertson, Charles. "On Highway 61: Music, Race and the Evolution of Cultural Freedom." Theory in Action 9.2 (2016): 104-8. ProQuest. Web. 16 Apr. 2018.

While this song was made to encourage pride for black people, it also reached and was accessible to white people. According to the quote above, while black music didn't always lead to social and political change, it sometimes opened the minds and hearts of white people, which is better than nothing. It provided perspective that wouldn't otherwise have been provided to white people.

]]> 2018-04-16 21:26:30 UTC https://padlet.com/dommalpica/w41ie9r6cmzx/wish/252352056 dommalpica https://padlet.com/dommalpica/w41ie9r6cmzx/wish/252353934  ...many African-American musicians describe their music as at once Black and American...
Fry, A. "Jazz Consciousness: Music, Race, and Humanity (review)." Music and Letters, vol. 88 no. 2, 2007, pp. 335-340. Project MUSE,

This quote states that many black musicians experience life as both black and American, a duality that intersects and creates a unique experience. This experience can be integrated into a black musician's music, which provides a genuine, unique perspective, like in the song I chose. While yes, the song can be universal to all black people around the world, I believe that the song has significant American undertones to it that are unique to an African American's experience. 
]]> 2018-04-16 21:36:34 UTC https://padlet.com/dommalpica/w41ie9r6cmzx/wish/252353934 dommalpica https://padlet.com/dommalpica/w41ie9r6cmzx/wish/252355653 2018-04-16 21:48:29 UTC https://padlet.com/dommalpica/w41ie9r6cmzx/wish/252355653 dommalpica https://padlet.com/dommalpica/w41ie9r6cmzx/wish/252356008 This is a vinyl cover for James Brown's "Say it Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud". I bet that at the time when this song came out, it was extremely empowering to see a vinyl cover with a song title like this. ]]> 2018-04-16 21:50:40 UTC https://padlet.com/dommalpica/w41ie9r6cmzx/wish/252356008 dommalpica https://padlet.com/dommalpica/w41ie9r6cmzx/wish/252356627 Even today, there are still inequalities when it comes to race, gender, sexuality, and religion. One of the most prevalent movements right now is the Black Lives Matter movement. Police brutality and racial profiling are still significant issues today in America. Even though "Say it Loud" first came out in 1968, it still has power and relevance to this day. I bet back then, people didn't think that there would still be racial discrimination, but sadly there still is. James Brown's song is timeless, as are other songs that are politically charged.]]> 2018-04-16 21:55:16 UTC https://padlet.com/dommalpica/w41ie9r6cmzx/wish/252356627