Music’s function related to this topic can be thought of as having a proactive role, and a reactive role. In this post, we’ll explore the proactive role of music in dealing with dire global circumstances: Activism. Music has been used in conjunction with activism throughout history. Often, it has been used as a tool of propaganda for governments to rally the support of their populaces. It’s also been used by groups to protest those very same governmental structures and entities. It has been used by religious groups to enrapture their followers. It’s been used in counter-culture movements as an expression of individual freedom, sovereignty, or libertarianism. It has been used to battle against systemic injustice. One of the most famous examples of this was the Civil Rights movement in the sixties. Though any musicians and songs played a role during this time, perhaps none were as powerful or memorable as Peter Seeger’s “We Shall Overcome.” This song became the unofficial anthem of the movement, and Martin Luther King often made reference to its message in his speeches. White and Black people stood shoulder-to-shoulder while singing this song – a powerful symbol of protest in the spirit of peace, brotherhood, and hope. Trigger Warning: some images in this video are graphic and disturbing.
December 3, 2023