In this activity, you will:

• learn about how songs have been used to fight injustice
• research the story behind a protest song of your choice
• prepare a presentation with your findings about the song you chose

• Multipart Activity

Read About the Role of Music in the Harlem Renaissance

During the Harlem Renaissance, music brought people together in ways that affirmed Black identity and community counter-narratives. The Black community often gathered at jazz clubs and speakeasies in Harlem, New York. From a couple tapping their feet as they listened to the music, to a musician jamming on the piano or trumpet, to someone singing their heart out or tearing up the dance floor, everyone was part of the community. Music was participatory, and everyone played a part. Artist Alison Saar captured some of the passion and energy of the music community in her series The Copacetic Suite, including Torch Song above, and her other prints below.

Look at all five images, and discuss or write your response to the following question:

• What visual details in these images capture a sense of passion and energy? Give three specific examples.

During the Harlem Renaissance, music told stories about love and joy, but also pain, suffering, and oppression. For example, Duke Ellington’s song from 1929, (What Did I Do To Be So) Black & Blue?, is about the pain of discrimination against Black people in a racist white society. This is just one of many examples.

Throughout the Harlem Renaissance and beyond, many songs have called out oppressions and the racist social order. The act of naming oppressions such as racism through music can be unifying for the victims of such injustices. It can make the injustices seen and heard (literally!) and demand equality and social change. Some historical examples of such songs from the early to mid 20th century are:

• We Shall Overcome
• Lift Every Voice and Sing
• Bessie Smith’s Poor Man Blues
• Billie Holiday’s Strange Fruit
• Sam Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come
• Woody Guthrie’s Deportee (Plane Wreck At Los Gatos)

And you can find numerous other examples in more recent music from the 1960s onward—too many to list here! Which more recent song of protest is your favorite?

Research a Song for Change

Choose a song to research—either one of the songs from the list above, or another song that has unified protestors, expressed shared purpose, or named an injustice. It can be from the past or present. Research the song. Consider the following questions:

• What community is this song speaking to/about?
• What ideas come to mind when you listen to it?
• How does this song make you feel when you listen to it?
• How, why, and when was this song used as a rallying cry, an anthem, or an expression of shared purpose for this community?
• Who wrote the song? When and why did they write it? Were any other musicians involved with creating the song?
• How is this song an act of activism, resistance, counter-narrative, or inspiration for social change?
• How does the song express a sense of community self-determination?

Present Your Song

Present what you learned about the song by making a video, podcast, poster, or slideshow. Make sure your presentation includes the following information:

• what story the song tells
• who wrote the song, when they wrote it, and why
• who (individuals and/or a community) sung, performed, or danced to it
• where and when it was sung, performed, or danced to
• how the song was a rallying cry, an anthem of solidarity, or an expression of the shared purpose of the community. Include specific lyrics that support the message.

Taking action to improve communities and society or to challenge injustice and inequality through activities such as organizing, protesting, educating others, or advocating for change.

A network or group of people, sometimes living in a particular place, who share interests, values, characteristics, responsibilities, or physical spaces.

Very satisfactory, often used to mean “all is well” or “everything’s good.”

A story, perspective, or account that challenges and offers an alternative to a dominant, mainstream, or “master” narrative.

Actions stemming from conscious or unconscious prejudice, which favor and empower one group over others based on differences of race, gender, economic class, sexual orientation, physical ability, religion, language, age, national identity, and other categories.

The state of being equal, in which everyone receives equal treatment, rights, and opportunities.

The qualities, expressions, beliefs, physical traits, cultures, and social statuses that comprise a person and/or group of people.

In different contexts, “justice” refers to both moral correctness and fairness, and also the rule of law. By contrast, “injustice” usually describes unfairness.

Historical, organized, and systemic mistreatment of and discrimination towards a group or community. Oppression can be ideological, institutional, interpersonal, and internalized.

Prejudice and discrimination against people because of their race.

The right or ability of a person or group to make their own choices or control their own destiny.

Unity, mutual support, and shared responsibility among individuals or groups around a common cause.

A hidden, secret place where alcohol was sold during Prohibition in the 1920s, when it was illegal to make or sell alcohol in the United States.