Sing Up! Part 2

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.

Creative Social Action Triumphs Classic Oscar Style at Last Night’s Academy Awards

 

By all appeareances the pre-Oscar scuttlebutt about a lack of black nominees in the 87th Annual Academy Awards voting process and choices, sparked by film icon Spike Lee and actress Jada Pinkett Smith   though it had gained much support, respect and substantial momentum in days leading up to the broadcast,was resoundingly rendered moot on various levels and in several categories during the program.

Those receiving awards though not voted in for the regular Oscar yet prestigious in their own right, included Spike Lee who received a Governor's Award for his outstanding contributions to the industry and Harry Belafonte who received the John Hershel Humanitarian Award. Both of the honorees acceptance speeches were remarkable as they were flanked by fellow actors and good friends who grew with them as they struggled together and ascended the ladder of stardom. See the video of  Spike Lee who was introduced by Wesley Snipes, Samuel Jackson and Denzel Washington. It provides a very inspirational glimpse into their comraderie. Also as educational and encouraging  is Belafonte's speech made as he beckons the great Sidney Poitier to the stage to join him.

 In light of  Lee's and Smith's input I think  it is safe to say their protest had an impact on the result from the Academy prior to the regular Oscar awards ceremony.Their actions certainly moved the dial.

 It was a wise act to expand upon the telecast and include recipients of both  Awards. Social activist Harry Belafonte was the perfect choice being one of the most notable and consistent artist activists over his lifespan and career. It set the tone for the evening, did the Afro-American community proud and made me feel very much a part of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences  community, as in "inclusive".

 Two Mexicans, Latinos Hispanics Best Director awards shed a light on immigration issues without tackling them head-on or intentionally. It just worked out in its own way with Birdman directors' (of Mexican descent) tongue in cheek comments about immigration during his Oscar acceptance comments. John Legend and Common's win for Best song "Glory" was the perfect top off for the evening not just for "Selma's " social justice message and the hard fought right to vote, but broadened the victory to overlap into women's rights equal pay issues, age discrimination, immigration and the plight of aging actors (Birdman) who often get looked over because of the value misplaced on youth in society. (Whiplash's actor @ 60 has been in the industry 40 yrs before winning an award).

Reese Witherspoon's interview on the red carpet about the role she played behind the scenes as a producer of two Oscar nominated movies, "Wild" and "Gone Girl" set the table so to speak for Patricia Arquette's big win for her performance in "Boyhood" and for women's rights in the motion picture industry across the board. Giving more insight and credit to technical aspects of filmmaking by presenting video on special affects designers, etc. was a nice touch.

The outcome was the perfect social consciousness palette, a racially diverse spread of Oscar winners list done with class. A beautifully done reminder that we can and must do this thing called "great society" together... 

See Wikipedia for a more detailed breakdown of the 87th Annual Academy Awards ceremony here.

Cynthia Wilson