The right to swing your fist ends where another person’s nose begins. This statement is both metaphorically and literally true. Whatever you do, make sure it does not affect anybody else and that is the unspoken natural law. One other reason to love music is for the social issues and human rights awareness that is well discussed in the lyrical artistry. Lyrics are more than just entertainment as the lyricists can pass important and sensitive messages through their music. The good thing about these lyrics is that they traverse all genres of music. There are people who stick to a favorite genre for a lifetime and in spite of their limited music taste, they never miss the chance to learn from the lyrics from their genre of choice.
An icon, the symbol of reggae music, a remainder of peace love and unity; Bob Marley, during his time wrote several songs on the freedom of the people, social injustices, the struggle for peace and always had the words to encourage people in their temporary situations. His lyrics still resonate with us today. In redemption song, he reminds people to fight for their rights and not let themselves be oppressed. There are times we fight for change because the law might be the oppressor. In the case of the police, their role is to enforce the law and protect the citizens but at times they take it too far by using too much of their power against the people they are supposed to protect.
The news has never been short of police brutality. This is one freedom that you have the right to fight for. You have the right to say no to being a victim. It might not be you today, but the oppression might knock at your door on the next day. Oftentimes we let political leaders sweet talk us and give empty promises only to fail us over and over. Emancipate yourself from mental slavery. This is the best line from the song. Make sure to free you mind from influence because mental slavery is the worst kind of oppression and because of it, more than one generation is affected as it trickles down depending on the information you pass down to your offspring.
Hip-hop/rap is a genre that came about mainly to act as a weapon against social injustices. This genre is one that has never failed to educate. At least most of it I would say. There is a plethora of lyrics in this genre that push the agenda of social issues. The list is endless. Tupac in his lyrics of the song Changes talks of how change is a constant that should be embraced. The society has come along way. It is had to imagine that slavery and racial segregation were part of the law at some point considering how far we have come. But then again it is not as shocking when you realize that even in this generation there are people who still treat others as if they are lesser humans.
There are a number of generational stereotypes that need to be unlearned for the world to be a better place. The changes we hope for is that in which we treat each other equally and with the respect they deserve. Kendrick Lamar also talks a lot about police brutality based on racism but with an unshakeable hope especially in hard times, everything is going to be Alright. Our freedom and rights are worth fighting for. We have come so far as humanity; we have had to fight for a lot of things during our time but eventually everything is going to be alright.
When I think about the origin of rock music, the Beatles and one member in particular, John Lennon comes to mind. It has not even been a century since the last world war, yet we still have regional, tribal, religious wars amongst us. Aren’t we from the same species though? I mean, is land more important than the times we spend together entertaining each other, giving each other advice, sharing love and a meal? Why do we fight each other to prove that our believes are better than the rest? This is absurdity that I fail to comprehend. In the song Imagine, Lennon imagines of a utopian world.
Where peace prevails, where my neighbor matters more than my piece of land. As simple as this sounds it is unfortune that it is just an imagination with the current state of the society. We are selfish. We forgot how we related as kids. Innocent. No one was better than the other and those days were fun. Our religions, races and tribes did not matter. We all loved each other.
As the world grows more liberal and progressive, it is time that we accepted each other as we are. For things that we do not understand we should at least try not to have an opinion about. What does my friend’s, colleague or neighbor’s sexual orientation have to do with me? If I do not understand it, what right do I have to fight it?
Why should I violate another person’s right because I do not understand them? Fighting others for their sexual orientation is outright stupidity. In her song Born this way, Lady Gaga reminds us to embrace our true selves how we see fit. We do not have to hide it and for this reason so are we not supposed to let others step on us for being who we are. As long as being who you are does not affect any other person no one has the right to meddle in your life.