, but mainly those within the black communities, including musical artists. The hoods worn by the KKK isn't just a fashion statement, but to hide the fact this group is still thriving and prospering in all areas of government, at the local and federal levels. Still maintaining their racist agendas. David Duke, a former leader of the KKK is currently running for a seat within the Senate.
After Billie Holiday performed 'Strange Fruit,' she was stalked and harassed by an agent, from the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, for the remainder of her life. While, many say she was a junkie and the main reason this agent was insistent upon pursuing her, is to have one less addict off the street, is faulty reasoning. Billie Holiday, battled with addiction way before she performed the song 'Strange Fruit.' Another interesting fact is the Carnegie Institution, started stockpiling index cards on everyday Americans way before the Patriot Act, even as far back as 1907. Under the pseudo science, of eugenics. Again, eugenics is the belief, that humanity is better off by eliminating those with mental disabilities, criminals, and certain ethnic groups.
Nina Simone, was extremely and candidly vocal about the racial disparities within the United States and deeply expressed her sentiments in the song 'Mississippi Goddam.'
“Alabama's gotten me so upset
Governor Wallace (Southern Dixiecrat) made me lose my rest
And everybody knows about Mississippi Goddam”
Governor Wallace, was a southern Dixiecrat, who was the first woman, that served as governor of Alabama and was adamant about her stance against desegregation.
‘Mississippi Goddam,’ clearly did not receive a warm welcome in states, which were primarily southern. Radio stations, even went as far as to return the records back broken. It is interesting to know, that she also performed ‘Mississippi Goddam,’ at Carnegie Hall, to an audience, which perhaps, not surprising - at the time to be predominantly white.
She also performed the song during the march in Selma, with coffins used as the structural foundation for the stage.
Fast forward to 2016 and the same erie details reverberate in Beyonce’s, performance to a backdrop of names to all of the lives lost to police brutality.
Again, has anything fundamentally changed?
Soon after Beyonce’s ‘Formation’ performance, faced an overnight backlash, and reception from law enforcement, was that of an anti-cop/establishment sentiment. Not certain of how the radio rotation stats, play out, but my guess is ‘Formation,’ couldn’t even hold a candle to ‘All my Single Ladies.’
Nina Simone’s, palpable frustration is echoed in the verse:
But that's just the trouble
‘too slow’
Desegregation
‘too slow’
Mass participation
‘too slow’
Reunification
‘too slow’
Do things gradually
‘too slow’
But bring more tragedy
‘too slow’
Hopefully, only time will be the narrator as to how Beyonce’s, life as an artist will progress, but Nina Simone, has been quoted as being very regretful after writing and performing ‘Mississippi Goddam,’ because she believed her career was never the same after.
These patterns are a common theme within the music industry. Shortly after John Lennon, released ‘Imagine,’ in 1971, he and Yoko, were faced with the possibility of deportation in 1972.
Here’s looking forward to all the massive amounts of data being collected on Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, and other musical outlets, you know under the guise of creating a better listening experience for the listener and perhaps providing a glimpse of the listener’s political preference.
So I guess… I’ll go plug back in and continue listening to mind numbing music.
Beyoncé's album has stirred things up, but I don't think it will end badly for her or will she regret speaking up against things. She has such a big fan base and she can do no wrong in front of them. Every single thing that she reveals to the public is so strategically thought out. I think the more controversial she is, the bigger she is becoming. And when you have that much power, what can actually be done to her?
I enjoyed this post. Thanks for sharing.
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