Protests have taken place for centuries in this country, fundamental constitutional First Amendment rights of freedom of speech, association and right of peaceful assembly in the U.S. Often wonderful harmonic non-violent cadences rhythmically looping songs and chants have filled city streets and country roads with sounds of determined and intense righteous indignation soaring from crowds over some social ill or another. A mixture of traditional Spirituals and popular songs like "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around", "We Shall Overcome", " "Blowin in the Wind" were familiar during the sixties.
Recently, the brutal death of George Floyd witnessed and recorded live on tape as well as other unjustified killings of unarmed young blacks by nervous, fearful and hate filled police officers have resulted in protestors lifting their voices in outrage, marching in cities across the nation and throughout the world for miles on end.
Unfortunately, blacks have far too long witnessed cruel and inhumane acts, crimes fueled by racism of klansmen and other cloaked white supremacists terrorizing them as they traveled through remote towns of this country, especially in the south and frequently in their own neighborhoods. In northern cities the violent attacks against blacks came mostly at the hands of police officers.
Singing songs have been a means of communication during slavery and a peaceful and constructive way of emboldening non-violent action as black people and other protesters supporting non-violent social change coped with clubbings from billie clubs, violent thrusts from water hoses and other actions by law enforcement to deter protests. now its pepper spray and flash grenades.
Music, sound and song brought comfort and healing throughout the ordeals. Sometimes the invisible shield of sound vibration created from hundreds of voices singing in unison made all the difference in creating and maintaining peace and harmony. I applaud and honor all who marched peaceably and who practice the teachings of King and Ghandi marching and lifting their voices until constructive change takes place in policing policies.
Here is a list of some of popular music's most notable protest and social observation songs and anthems over the years.
