Music in the Struggle for Social Equality

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Music in the Struggle for Social Equality

The struggle to achieve equality by the African Americans began right after the American Civil War ended. There were several legal provisions in the United States Constitutions that granted the African Americans the right to participate in elections and equal protection under the law (OHC, 2020). However, in reality, these legal protections were not practised because they continued to be discriminated socially, politically and economically. This prompted many Americans to unite across colour lines and protest against discrimination and racism that was emerging, or rather existed in the United States. Many people of colour faced employment discrimination as they were prevented from acquiring or working in professional jobs even after obtaining a college degree. Consequently, it led to the formation of organized civil rights organizations in the early 1960s to achieve equal rights because they felt that the United States did not provide equality and freedoms to all people. Human rights activists applied various methods for passing the message to the government and creating awareness to the public about the struggle. Songs were disseminated to the activists in large meetings and publications by song collectors and through collaborations between musicians and singers (LOC, 2018). Music essential role in supporting the movements that fought for equality whereby protest songs like We Shall Overcome which was written by a political activist – Pete Seeger – helped in giving hope and strengthening the endeavor for justice and equality.

Seeger’s We Shall Overcome was one of the songs that were used in the struggle because it showcased the aspect of the movement’s adaptability. After Pete Seeger finished writing the lyrics of the song, it was acquired by Guy Carawan in the early 60s, a music director in Highlander (Todd, 2016). The latter then promoted and used it as a mobilizing force to disseminate the message of lobbying for racial equality. The main objective of the rights movement was to put a struggle for social justice and create an environment in the United States, whereby the people of colour would have equal rights under the law.

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