The Call to Stand Against Hatred and Racism
In a world where hatred and racism persist, music artists and creatives find themselves on the front lines, showing their art as both a shield and sword against those processes that seek to destabilise society. Throughout history, musicians have been powerful voices for justice, using their talents to challenge oppressive systems and inspire societal change. Today, more than ever, artists must embrace this role and stand firm against the tide of hatred sweeping our borders.
Music as resistance the lessons from legends
Musicians have long been at the forefront of social justice movements providing themes and articulating the feelings of the collective, using their platforms to amplify the voices of the marginalised and confront injustice head-on. We see this in the legacy of artists like Bob Marley, whose song “Get Up, Stand Up” became an anthem for human rights.
“Get up, stand up: stand up for your rights! Get up, stand up: don’t give up the fight!” His words continue to resonate, reminding us of the enduring struggle for equality.
Another is Nina Simone, whose song “Mississippi Goddam” boldly addressed the brutal realities of racism in America. Simone’s lyrics, “You don’t have to live next to me / Just give me my equality,” were a direct challenge to the status quo and a rallying cry for the civil rights movement. Through her music, Simone exposed the hypocrisy and violence of systemic racism, encouraging others to join the fight for justice.
“Strange Fruit” by Billie Holiday is a haunting song that powerfully addresses the horror of racism and lynching in America.
Southern trees bear strange fruit
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root
Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees
Exposing the Establishment Through Song
Music has always challenged and exposed, it critique of the establishment is unparalleled. Songs like Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” deliver unflinching critiques of systemic oppression and the propagation of hate. The lyrics, addressing heroes and their portrayal in mainstream media:
“Most of my heroes don’t appear on no stamps.”
They challenged the sanitised narratives of history and demanded a reckoning with the uncomfortable truths. This willingness to confront propaganda and rhetoric head-on is essential in the battle against racism and hatred.
The Challenge of Bad Actors
The struggle against hatred and racism is further complicated by the presence of bad actors who muddy the waters of public discourse. Figures like Suella Braverman or Cruella Devil, whose parents were economic migrants, yet who espouse policies that seem to betray the very principles of compassion and justice that underpinned her own family’s journey, serve as stark reminders of this complexity. The Windrush scandal, which saw many from the Caribbean community wrongfully detained, denied legal rights, and threatened with deportation, is a painful example of how supposed British values can be weaponised against the very people who helped rebuild the nation post-World War II.
As artists, it is crucial to recognise and call out these contradictions. Music has the unique ability to cut through the noise and expose the hypocrisy of those who preach division and hatred.
UB40 was formed in Birmingham, England, in 1978. The band’s formation was driven by a shared interest in reggae music and a common background of growing up in a multicultural city with significant immigrant communities.
I don’t want to hear your stupid lies
I don’t want to hear your stupid lies
I don’t want to hear your stupid lies
Don’t let me be a victim
Artists can draw inspiration from the Windrush generation’s strength and perseverance. By honoring their legacy through music and storytelling, we can highlight the enduring value of diversity and the importance of standing up against injustice.
Standing on the Right Side of History
Remember the words of John Lennon: “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will be as one.” These words serve as a reminder that the fight for justice is a collective effort, one that requires courage, empathy, and unwavering commitment.
As artists, your voice is powerful. Use it to inspire, to challenge, and to create a world where equality and justice prevail. Stand with the legends who came before you, and become a source of hope and resilience for future generations. The fight against hatred and racism is far from over, but with your creativity and passion, we can continue to push for a better, more inclusive world.
Racism a construct of the elite to maintain division
At its core, racism is a social construct designed and perpetuated by the elite to maintain control and power. By sowing seeds of division and exploiting perceived differences, those in power can divert attention from their own actions and reinforce their dominance. Yet, there is only one race—the human race—and recognising this truth is essential to dismantling the structures that uphold racism.
The Illusion of Race
Science affirms that race has no biological basis. All humans belong to a single species, Homo sapiens, and the genetic variation within our species is minuscule compared to the vast similarities we share. Differences in skin colour, hair texture, and other physical traits are superficial and result from adaptations to diverse environments over time.
Divide and Conquer
The roots of modern racism can be traced back to the colonial era, where European powers sought to dominate vast territories and diverse peoples. The strategy of “divide and conquer” was employed to great effect: by creating divisions among the colonised populations based on arbitrary racial classifications, the colonisers could prevent unified resistance and maintain control.
As Bob Marley’s lyrics in “War” poignantly capture:
“Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior
Is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned
Everywhere is war.”
A Tool of the Elite
The perpetuation of racism serves the interests of the elite by keeping the working and middle classes divided. By fostering a sense of otherness and promoting racial scapegoating, those in power can distract from economic inequalities and social injustices that cut across racial lines. This tactic is evident in the political rhetoric that blames immigrants or minorities for economic woes, rather than addressing systemic issues such as wage stagnation, corporate greed, and lack of social mobility.
As Public Enemy powerfully stated in “Fight the Power”:
“From the heart
It’s a start, a work of art
To revolutionise make a change nothing’s strange
People, people we are the same
No we’re not the same
‘Cause we don’t know the game
What we need is awareness, we can’t get careless
You say what is this?”
Embracing Unity
Recognising that we are all part of mankind is a powerful step toward dismantling the structures of racism. When we understand that our differences are superficial and that our shared humanity is far more significant, we can begin to see through the divisive tactics employed by the elite.
A Call to Action
It is incumbent upon each of us to reject the construct of race as a tool of division and to embrace our shared humanity.
As Maya Angelou so eloquently wrote in her poem “Still I Rise”:
“You may write me down in history”