Protest music in America is nothing new. While many people might think of civil rights and anti-war songs of the ’60s and ’70s, people have been using music to express their frustrations and inspire change since before the Civil War.
This type of music usually either focuses on civil unrest, war, or social injustices that people are essentially “fed up” with. This year has seen protests in every single state, largely due to the murders of people of color, George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and others. Because of these events, there’s a good chance we could see a new wave of protest music.
Music benefits people in so many ways by giving all ages a voice and allowing people to engage with each other. Protest music is another way of expressing frustration, passion, anger, sadness, and hope.
So, what is the actual value of protest music? Can music itself change anything when it’s brought on by injustices and suffering? To understand that, it’s important to recognize that protest music goes beyond Bob Dylan, and is still just as relevant today.
A Brief History
Race, politics, and social injustice have always been driving forces behind protest music. Even during the Civil War, the Union soldiers coined a song called “John Brown’s Body,” which called for the hanging of Confederate leader Jefferson Davis.
What most people think of today when protest music comes to mind probably stems from the jazz/electric movement of the 1930s, when radios became more prominent in American households. Billie Holiday’s famous song “Strange Fruit” is a perfect example of protest music that didn’t necessarily issue a call and response. Rather, it told a story to impact listeners, referring to the lynching of Black people that took place in the south. That carried over into some of the more popular protest music of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Some of the most famous artists known for their activism music at the time were:
- Peter, Paul, and Mary
- Bob Dylan
- Pete Seeger
- Joan Baez
- Woody Guthrie
Guthrie was a huge leader in the folk movement for protest music, and heavily used inclusive language in his songs, especially “This Land is Your Land.” Guthrie’s opening lines say “this land is your land, this land is my land…”, indicating he’s talking to anyone and everyone, without specifically mentioning or excluding specific groups. This is a song of unity for the country. Inclusive language has continued to be used in protest music, signifying a sense of unity and togetherness to “fight the power” of injustices.
Speaking of fighting the power, that brings us to the rap and rock era of the ‘80s and ‘90s. Some protest songs of that particular era are blunter than others. N.W.A.’s hit “F*** The Police” is an anthem against police brutality.
Even in the late 2000s, protest music has continued to make an impact in areas of racism, gender equality, and political agendas. From Beyonce’s “Formation” as a nod to the extremely prescient Black Lives Matter movement to Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” as a clap back to those against LGBTQ+ rights, it’s clear that protest music has always had a place in nearly every genre.
The Right Kind of Motivation
The idea behind protest music is that it isn’t just created for entertainment value. Rather, it can motivate people and inspire change where it needs to happen most. Certain songs can become anthems for movements.
In today’s world, there are some worries about the tone of protest music, especially as it relates to the hot topic of racism and police brutality. Throughout the last several weeks, many musicians have released new music in response to the killing of George Floyd and other POC. By the 3rd of June 2020, 13 people had died in the protests calling for justice for George Floyd. Most of those people were shot as protests turned into riots and looting. While peaceful protesting can certainly initiate change, music that promotes violence or hatred toward any group (even the police) can motivate people in the wrong way.
Protestors who choose to do things like riot or loot must understand the potential consequences of criminal charges. While music can be great for getting fired up, it’s not worth risking your life or facing serious criminal charges for breaking the law.
The Passion Behind the Protests
Since the start of the protests surrounding George Floyd’s death, some changes have, indeed, taken place:
- Police restraint policies in several cities/states
- Confederate statues being removed across the country
- Police reform policies in Congress
As people continue to protest passionately about the George Floyd case, as well as other POC who have been faced with police brutality or racism, there is really no question that the musical trend of promoting protests through artistry will continue. Keep in mind that protest music goes far beyond what you might be seeing on the news. Protest music can be written about anything from who is in the White House to saving the planet from climate change. Music has been spreading the word about environmental awareness for years, and awareness is often the first step in making true change. John Prine’s 1971 song “Paradise” talks of coal trains carrying away beautiful scenery, and the classic Joni Mitchell song “Big Yellow Taxi” is a protest against construction over natural beauty and the use of harmful chemicals like DDT. Songs like these are anthems for environmental protests where people can spread awareness about the state of the planet, and what can be done to reverse some of the issues.
In the end, protest songs have always been about a passion for change, and a desire to right wrongs and eliminate injustices. Music is extremely therapeutic for many people and can even be used to help with mental health conditions. So, if someone is passionate about making a change through protests, music is a great motivating tool that can help everyone to feel connected to a cause. Thanks to the rich history behind American protest music, it’s a trend that will likely continue until more injustices are righted for good.
Courtesy of Indiana Lee