Introduction
Throughout history, numerous social movements have arisen to address pressing societal issues and advocate for change. Many of these movements have been accompanied by the powerful expressions of music and artwork, serving as a medium to galvanize collective action, inspire solidarity, and communicate the movement’s core values. This essay will explore the interplay between music and artwork with social movements, focusing on a specific example from the contemporary era (2018-2023). By examining a song or artwork’s role in a social movement, this essay will delve into the causes, outcomes, and theoretical perspectives, such as relative deprivation or resource mobilization, which shaped the movement’s trajectory.
The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, emerging around 2013, gained significant momentum in the years leading up to 2018 and beyond. The movement aimed to address systemic racism and police brutality against Black individuals in the United States, advocating for equality, justice, and an end to racial discrimination. “This is America,” a song by Donald Glover, also known as Childish Gambino, became a powerful anthem that resonated with the movement and encapsulated the struggles faced by the African American community (Glover, 2018).
Is the Movement a New Social Movement?
The Black Lives Matter movement, which gained significant momentum in the contemporary era, can be classified as a new social movement. To understand its classification, we must examine the defining characteristics of new social movements and their relevance to the Black Lives Matter movement. According to DeMeulenaere and Maly (2020), new social movements are distinguished by decentralization, utilization of digital platforms, and a focus on cultural and identity-based issues. Let us explore how these characteristics align with the Black Lives Matter movement.
Decentralization
New social movements often lack a centralized leadership structure and operate through loosely connected networks. The Black Lives Matter movement follows this trend, as it emerged organically through grassroots activism and the efforts of local chapters and community-based organizations (DeMeulenaere & Maly, 2020). Instead of being led by a single figurehead or a small group of leaders, BLM embraces a decentralized approach, allowing individuals and groups to engage in activism at their own levels.
Utilization of Digital Platforms
In the contemporary era, digital platforms have become essential tools for social movements to organize, communicate, and mobilize supporters. The Black Lives Matter movement has leveraged the power of social media, websites, and digital campaigns to disseminate information, raise awareness, and mobilize communities on a global scale (DeMeulenaere & Maly, 2020). Platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have been instrumental in promoting the movement’s message, sharing real-time updates on protests, and coordinating actions.
Focus on Cultural and Identity-Based Issues
New social movements often center their agendas around cultural and identity-based issues, seeking to challenge existing power structures and cultural norms. The Black Lives Matter movement aligns with this characteristic as it advocates for racial justice, equality, and an end to systemic racism in the United States (DeMeulenaere & Maly, 2020). BLM’s core mission is to address the disproportionate violence and discrimination faced by Black individuals in society, making it an identity-based movement with a clear cultural focus.
In conclusion, the Black Lives Matter movement aligns with the defining characteristics of new social movements, namely decentralization, utilization of digital platforms, and a focus on cultural and identity-based issues. Its decentralized nature allows for widespread grassroots participation and fosters a sense of collective ownership. The strategic use of digital platforms amplifies its reach and facilitates global solidarity. Moreover, its focus on cultural and identity-based issues reflects a broader social transformation agenda that seeks to address systemic racial injustice and inequality (DeMeulenaere & Maly, 2020). As such, the Black Lives Matter movement epitomizes the essence of a new social movement, harnessing modern tools and tactics to effect change and challenge established power structures.
Application of Theoretical Perspectives
The relative deprivation theory posits that social movements emerge as a result of a perceived discrepancy between individuals’ expectations and their actual socio-economic status (Oliver & Myers, 2018). In the context of the Black Lives Matter movement, African Americans experienced a profound sense of relative deprivation due to the persistent racial disparities in the criminal justice system, employment opportunities, and access to quality education. The song “This is America” captured the frustrations arising from this relative deprivation, using powerful imagery and lyrics to depict the harsh realities faced by the Black community (Patterson, 2020).
On the other hand, the resource mobilization theory focuses on the mobilization of resources, such as funds, human capital, and social networks, to drive a social movement’s success (Oliver & Myers, 2018). In the case of the Black Lives Matter movement, the song “This is America” played a significant role in resource mobilization. The song’s popularity and emotional impact contributed to increased support and donations for BLM organizations, bolstering their capacity to organize protests, community outreach, and legal advocacy (Patterson, 2020).
Causes of the Movement
The Black Lives Matter movement’s emergence can be attributed to a combination of systemic racial injustices, high-profile cases of police violence against Black individuals, and the transformative power of social media. The movement’s causes were deeply rooted in historical inequalities and contemporary incidents that sparked public outrage and mobilized people to demand change.
Systemic Racial Injustices
The United States has a long history of racial discrimination and systemic racism against African Americans. Centuries of enslavement, segregation, and institutionalized discrimination have left a lasting impact on the Black community, leading to disparities in education, employment, and access to healthcare. The Black Lives Matter movement sought to address these deep-seated injustices by demanding an end to systemic racism and advocating for equitable treatment of all citizens, regardless of their race or ethnicity (DeMeulenaere & Maly, 2020).
High-Profile Cases of Police Violence
Several tragic incidents of police violence against Black individuals served as catalysts for the Black Lives Matter movement. The deaths of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and many others at the hands of law enforcement sparked widespread protests and raised public awareness about the urgent need for police reform. These incidents highlighted the disproportionate use of force against Black individuals and the lack of accountability for officers involved in such cases. The movement sought justice for the victims and pushed for comprehensive reforms in policing practices (Oliver & Myers, 2018).
Social Media and Digital Activism
The advent of social media platforms played a pivotal role in shaping the Black Lives Matter movement. Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram provided a space for individuals to share information, organize protests, and express solidarity. Hashtags like #BlackLivesMatter became powerful rallying cries, spreading the movement’s message across the globe. Digital activism facilitated rapid mobilization, allowing the movement to transcend geographical boundaries and connect individuals who shared a common cause (DeMeulenaere & Maly, 2020).
Grassroots Organizing
The Black Lives Matter movement’s decentralized structure allowed for grassroots organizing at the local level. Community-based initiatives, led by activists and organizers, played a crucial role in mobilizing people for protests, town hall meetings, and advocacy efforts. These grassroots movements allowed individuals to feel a sense of ownership and agency, empowering them to participate actively in effecting change within their communities (Oliver & Myers, 2018).
Artistic Expressions
Artistic expressions, such as the song “This is America” by Childish Gambino, further fueled the movement’s momentum. The powerful and thought-provoking music video, combined with the song’s meaningful lyrics, conveyed a poignant message about the realities of being Black in America. Art has a unique ability to evoke emotions and challenge societal norms, making it a potent tool for sparking conversations and inspiring action (Patterson, 2020).
Outcomes and Changes
The Black Lives Matter movement has achieved significant outcomes since its inception. It succeeded in elevating the issue of systemic racism and police brutality to the national and international discourse. The movement’s protests, combined with the influence of powerful music and artwork, compelled policymakers to address the need for police reform and racial justice initiatives. Numerous cities and states implemented policy changes, including the banning of chokeholds, increased transparency in police operations, and the reallocation of funds from law enforcement to community resources (DeMeulenaere & Maly, 2020).
Moreover, “This is America” became a cultural phenomenon and won several awards, further amplifying the movement’s message to a broader audience. It also opened discussions on racial inequality in various industries, including the entertainment sector, prompting further self-reflection and commitment to change (Patterson, 2020).
Conclusion
The relationship between music, artwork, and social movements is a symbiotic one, with each aspect reinforcing the other’s impact. The case of the Black Lives Matter movement and “This is America” by Childish Gambino exemplifies how a powerful song or artwork can amplify a social movement’s message, engage the masses, and catalyze change. As a new social movement, Black Lives Matter harnessed the power of relative deprivation and resource mobilization theories, drawing attention to racial injustice and bringing about policy reforms. The legacy of this movement serves as a reminder of the transformative potential of music and art in shaping the course of social progress.
References
DeMeulenaere, E., & Maly, I. (2020). Black Lives Matter and New Media Activism. In J. G. Golson & S. L. Jacobs Henderson (Eds.), Communication in New Media: From Theory to Practice (pp. 277-288). Lexington Books.
Glover, D. (Childish Gambino). (2018). This is America [Video file]. Retrieved from [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYOjWnS4cMY]
Oliver, P. E., & Myers, D. J. (2018). The social bases of collective action: an instrumental action approach to social movements. Annual Review of Sociology, 44, 191-212.
Patterson, O. (2020). “This is America” and Social Protest: A Post-Colonial Discourse Analysis. Popular Music and Society, 43(5), 588-607.
