The Power of Music in Confronting Racism and Promoting Social Awareness

by | May 1, 2024 | Communication

 

Watch this short video (3 minutes) of Billie Holiday singing Strange Fruit, while reading the lyrics as you hear her voice. After, type your responses to the questions below and upload a file here. The format you must follow is Times New Roman, 12 point font, double-space, with one-inch margins all around. Please type a minimum of one full page, and no more than two pages (do not include the questions as part of your reflection). Your header should only be your name. Only Microsoft Word or PDF files are accepted.

 

Southern trees bear strange fruit
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root
Black bodies swinging in the Southern breeze
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees

Pastoral scene of the gallant South
The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth
Scent of Magnolias, sweet and fresh
Then the sudden smell of burning flesh

Here is a fruit for the crows to pluck
For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck
For the sun to rot, for the tree to drop
Here is a strange and bitter crop

Please share your experience in listening to this song. Was this your first time listening to it? Did you have any emotional reaction that you care to share?
How do the lyrics to this song convey the depths of racism? Why do you think this song was banned from the radio?
How can a song challenge what we consider normative or deviant, and or promote social awareness on critical issues of our time?
Can you think of other songs that call attention to social injustice in our society? Name one or more and explain how.
What other forms of popular culture. social activism, or community organizing have spurred movements for social justice?

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

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The Power of Music in Confronting Racism and Promoting Social Awareness

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Listening to Billie Holiday’s haunting rendition of “Strange Fruit” is a profound and emotional experience that leaves an indelible impact on the listener. The chilling lyrics, coupled with Holiday’s soulful voice, evoke a sense of deep sorrow and reflection on the dark history of racism in America. This was not my first time listening to the song, but each time I hear it, I am struck by its raw power and the poignant message it conveys.

The lyrics of “Strange Fruit” paint a vivid and harrowing picture of racial violence and injustice in the Southern United States. The imagery of black bodies hanging from trees like strange fruits serves as a stark reminder of the brutal lynchings that took place during the era of Jim Crow segregation. The song confronts the viewer with the gruesome reality of racism, forcing them to acknowledge the atrocities committed against African Americans.

“Strange Fruit” was banned from the radio due to its controversial and provocative subject matter. The song’s unflinching portrayal of lynching and racism challenged the prevailing norms of the time, making many uncomfortable with its stark depiction of violence and discrimination. By shining a light on these taboo topics, “Strange Fruit” disrupted the status quo and forced people to confront the ugly truths of America’s history of racial oppression.

Music has a unique ability to challenge societal norms and promote social awareness on critical issues. Songs like “Strange Fruit” serve as powerful tools for raising consciousness about injustices that are often overlooked or ignored. By drawing attention to uncomfortable truths through music, artists can inspire listeners to think critically about the world around them and take action to create positive change.

There are many other songs that address social injustice and raise awareness about important issues. One example is “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye, which addresses themes of war, poverty, and police brutality. Through his music, Gaye called attention to the pressing social issues of his time and encouraged listeners to engage with these critical topics.

In addition to music, various forms of popular culture, social activism, and community organizing have played crucial roles in spurring movements for social justice. Films, literature, art, protests, grassroots campaigns, and social media have all been powerful tools for raising awareness, mobilizing communities, and advocating for change. These diverse forms of expression and activism have helped to amplify marginalized voices, challenge oppressive systems, and drive progress towards a more just and equitable society.

In conclusion, “Strange Fruit” stands as a testament to the transformative power of music in confronting racism and promoting social awareness. Through its poignant lyrics and evocative melody, the song continues to resonate with audiences today, reminding us of the importance of using art as a tool for social change and justice.

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