PROTEST SONGS

Non-violent forms of protest

Learning Intentions/Success Criteria
• During this lesson
• explore how music can be used to attain social and political changes in society
• exploring ways in which music helped advance the civil rights movement
• After completing this lesson, students will be able to
• discuss how music can positively influence social and political issues in society
• identify how specific pieces of music have had an impact on the civil rights movement
and
• explain the motivation or inspiration of various composers for becoming involved
musically.
Consider-

Do you enjoy What types of Do you think

listening to music do you that music can
music? If so, enjoy, and why? put you in a
what do you certain mood?
enjoy about it? Or inspire you to
change
behaviour? Or
teach you
something?
Discuss
• “Music doesn’t lie. If there is
something to be changed in this
• “Music can world, then it can only happen
change the through music.” —Jimmy Hendrix
world
because it
can change
people.” —
Bono
Why protest with music?
• There are many of types of sources which allow historians to examine
how previous generations viewed significant events. One such
example is the protest song, a song which is created to voice the need
for social change.
• Social change and political expression have always had their place in
music. Often, artists use their creative talent to send a controversial
message that they relate to. 
• Protest music is music that aims to send social messages and make a
change (associated with a movement for social change or other
current events through music). Often using the popularity of the
artist to bring more attention to a particular issue.
• Whether it’s songs about the world, police brutality, or even Donald
Trump… there are plenty of issues that get addressed through art and
music such as popular protest songs. 
What Impact Does
Protest Music Have?
• Throughout history, protest songs have
galvanized the oppressed into resisting
their oppressors.
• Martin Luther King Jr said, “freedom
songs serve to give unity to a movement”.
The revolutions in North Africa and the
Middle East have been inspired by rap
music, which the authorities tried to ban,
pointing again to the potential of political
music to effect social change.
• However, the inevitable question that
comes up when considering protest music
is whether it really matters. Does it make
a difference? 
A civil rights song—“We Shall Overcome.”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFcOd4ssKKM
• We Shall Overcome—Peter, Paul and Mary
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJstIEx6EnU
• “We Shall Overcome,” Arranged by Jordan Millar
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXDU3n4HTTY
• History of We Shall Overcome
The Black Lives Matter
Movement: An Origin Story
• Trayvon Martin: Murdered in 2012 by George Zimmerman, a
neighborhood watch coordinator, sparking national outrage.
• Alicia Garza's Facebook Posts: "A Love Letter to Black
People," and Patrisse Cullors' response: "#BlackLivesMatter."
• Slow start: In 2013, the hashtag appeared 5,106 times on
Twitter.
• Turning point: Michael Brown's murder in 2014 ignited massive
protests and increased hashtag usage dramatically.
• Inspired by history: Influences from Civil Rights, Black
Feminist, Pan-African, political hip-hop, and LGBTQ+
movements.
• Rejecting traditional hierarchy: BLM empowers marginalized voices,
placing Black women, trans, and queer members in leadership roles.
• Innovative activism: BLM uses disruptive strategies like challenging
politicians and disrupting national holidays.
• Wide support: The movement garners public support from various
organizations, media coverage, and millions of participants in
protests.

Roots in the Civil Rights Movement

• The Black Lives Matter Movement draws inspiration from the
1960s Civil Rights Movement, which fought against racial
segregation and discrimination, aiming to achieve equal rights for
African Americans.
Influenced by the Black Panthers
• BLM is also influenced by the Black Panther Party, a revolutionary
socialist organization that advocated for self-defense against police
brutality and fought for the empowerment of Black communities
through various social programs.
Music as an instrument of social change
• Do you know any modern protest songs?
• Discuss the meaning of the modern-day protest song you have chosen and to
explain why it has become popular
• Use the table to breakdown your chosen song
“Formation” by Beyonce 
• Beyoncé takes a stand with her 2016 “Formation” song and
music video. The Black Power anthem showcases the pop
powerhouse appreciating her roots (“they never take the
country out of me”) and who she is as a Black woman. She
claims her power with conviction and her self-love lyrics. 
• Set in New Orleans, the visual, which was released on Trayvon
Martin’s birthday and the day before Sandra Bland’s birthday, is
even more striking when you see Beyoncé standing on a police
vehicle, rocking her natural hair, paying homage to the Black
South and including queer and trans members of the
community. 
• As the video nears the end, Queen Bey makes it a point to show
a young Black boy dancing in front of police officers in riot gear.
In the subsequent moments, the same boy faces them and
raises his arms to the line of cops, who then also raise their
hands up. “Stop shooting us,” says the following image after
the exchange between the young boy and the police officers. 
• Again, it’s Beyoncé way of standing up against police brutality
in an undeniable way.
“Same Love” by Macklemore and Ryan
Lewis
• Released in 2012, the song Same Love by
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis became “the first song
to explicitly embrace and promote gay marriage that
has made it into the Top 40″.
• Not only does it advocate for same-sex marriage,
the entire song is dedicated to arguing for marriage
equality. 
• One of the most powerful lyrics in this song is: “No
law’s gonna change us, we have to change
us; Whatever god you believe in, we come from the
same one; Strip away the fear, underneath it’s all the
same love; About time that we raised up!” 
• This song was pivotal in influencing public opinion
around the time major countries change their
marriage laws: USA in
Australia in 2017
“This is America” by Childish Gambino 
• Childish Gambino’s provocative “This Is America” visual
immediately begins showing the musician dancing and
pulling a gun on an anonymous person. He proceeds on
grooving throughout the video as a diversion, shedding light
on how distracted the masses tend to be even though
violence and chaos are happening in the world — as seen in
the background of the video. He makes a solid point: People
tend to be occupied with social media and Black culture, yet
don’t stand up for Black people when violence is inflicted
upon them. 
• He also references the 2015 Charleston shooting in the latter
half of the video when a choir is shown singing hymns and
yet, a gun is fired. A white supremacist Dylan Roof murdered
nine Black individuals during a Bible study in Emanuel
African Methodist Episcopal Church’s basement. 
• Childish Gambino uses imagery and symbols in “This Is
America” to wake society up to the various discriminatory
acts occurring on a daily basis.
“Black Rage” Lauryn Hill
• Lauryn Hilll released her song “Black
Rage,” which she has dedicated to
the people fighting for racial equality
in Ferguson, Missouri.
• "Black Rage" takes its melody from
Rodgers and Hammerstein's "My
Favorite Things," a song that
originally appeared in The Sound of
Music but has since acquired
subversive connotations within black
music.
Vocabulary 
• relevant [ rel-uh-vuhnt ] (adjective) related or connected to a subject or matter
• stereotype [ ster-ee-uh-type ] (noun) an oversimplified and unfair belief or idea
that people have particular characteristics or are the same
• tolerance [ tol-er-uh-ns ] (noun) a fair, open, objective, and permissive attitude
toward people whose opinions, beliefs, practices, racial or ethnic origins, etc.,
differ from one's own
• lyrics [ lir-iks ] (noun) the words of a song
• metaphor [ met-uh-for ] (noun) a word or phrase for one thing that is used to refer
to another thing in order to show or suggest that they are similar (without using
“like” or “as”)
Australian Protest Songs
• Beds are Burning—Midnight Oil
• Treaty—Yothu Yindi
• Archie Roach—Took the Children Away
• Paul Kelly—From Little Things Big Things
Grow
• I was only 19—Redgum
• And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda—
Eric Bogle
• Little Things (2021)—Paul Kelly and Ziggy
Ramo
Extension Activity
• List key social justice issues from 'The Hate U Give’
and the experiences they go through
• Brainstorm ideas and key messages related to their
chosen social justice issue.
• Highlight key words, phrases and figurative devices
that represent these messages and ideas
• Draw inspiration from the characters and events in 'The
Hate U Give' to add depth and relevance to the lyrics.
 Step-by-Step Guide to Writing
Protest Song Lyrics with Key Words,
Phrases, and Rhyme Schemes:
1. Select a Social Justice Issue and Key Words/Phrases:
1. Choose a social justice issue from the list or one inspired by 'The Hate U Give.'
2. Identify key words and phrases related to the issue, such as "justice," "equality," "change," "voice,"
"freedom," and specific terms associated with the chosen problem.

2. Craft a Powerful Opening:

1. Start with an attention-grabbing line or phrase to set the tone and engage listeners from the beginning.
2. Use emotive words to evoke feelings related to the issue and draw the audience into the message.

3. Formulate the Chorus:

1. The chorus should be memorable and convey the main message of the protest song.
2. Incorporate the key words and phrases identified earlier to reinforce the core theme.
3. Consider using repetition to emphasize the central idea and make it catchy.

4. Build Verses with Rhyme Schemes:

1. Choose a rhyme scheme for the verses (e.g., AABB, ABAB, or AABA) to create a sense of structure
and rhythm.
2. Introduce additional key words and phrases in the verses to elaborate on the issue and provide context.
3. Use descriptive language and vivid imagery to paint a clear picture of the situation.
Writing songs continued…
5. Use Metaphors and Analogies:
1. Employ metaphors and analogies to illustrate the social justice issue and its impact.
2. Link the issue to relatable concepts or everyday experiences to make the message more relatable and
memorable.

6. Express Emotion and Empathy:

1. Infuse the lyrics with genuine emotion and empathy to connect with the audience on a deeper level.
2. Show understanding and compassion for those affected by the issue, and convey the urgency for change.

7. Address Calls to Action:

1. Encourage the listeners to take action and be part of the solution.
2. Include calls to protest, spread awareness, support organizations, or advocate for policy changes.

8. Bridge and Transitional Phrases:

1. Use a bridge to transition between the chorus and verses, providing additional context or emotional
impact.
2. Transitional phrases can be used to smoothly connect different sections of the song and maintain the flow.

9. Conclude with Impact:

1. End the song with a powerful closing statement that leaves a lasting impression.
2. Reiterate the main message and inspire hope for a better future.
Continued….
10. Review and Revise:
• After completing the lyrics, review the song for clarity,
coherence, and impact.
• Edit and revise as needed to improve flow, tighten language, and
enhance the emotional resonance.
• Remember, protest songs are a form of artistic expression, and
there is no one right way to write them. Allow creativity to flow,
and let the emotions and passion for the cause guide the process.
• If musically talented: compose melodies and add music to the
protest song lyrics, creating a complete song. Create an audio or
video recording of their performance to share with the class.