Protest Songs in History Essay Example

battle, we propose constructing shelves for them to fight among themselves. This will allow peaceful individuals who enjoy singing to remain undisturbed. Together, let us sing a simple song of freedom like never before. May this song resonate through the air and convey our universal message rejecting war. Let us emphasize and ensure that this song fills the air, informing people everywhere of our refusal to accept war. It is worth noting that Bobby Darin (also known as Walden Robert Cassotto) was born on May 14th, 1936.

Darren, an Italian-American, lived until the age of 37 and passed away on December 20th, 1973. Despite growing up in a poverty-stricken family during the Great Depression, he managed to survive by living on the streets in a cardboard box. Unfortunately, these unsanitary conditions affected his health and he was diagnosed with a debilitating heart disease at just 8 years old. Doctors believed that reaching the age of 16 would be fortunate for him. However, driven by poverty, illness, and the knowledge that his life would be short-lived,
Darren channeled his emotions into his musical talent.

Similar to many individuals in America during that time, he made the decision to alter his name to something more American so as not to disclose his original nationality. Nevertheless, he faced difficulties in achieving success until he was introduced to a young woman named Connie Francis. Connie sought help in launching her career and therefore Darin collaborated with her in composing songs, eventually developing romantic feelings for her. Regrettably, their relationship was disapproved by Connie's father who even went as far as threatening Darin with a gun, forbidding him from ever seeing

his daughter again. It was through the song 'Splish Splash' that he achieved his first significant breakthrough. Interestingly enough, this song originated from a bet Darin made with himself where he challenged himself to create a song using the words 'Splish Splash'.

Darin, who was also an actor, wrote the protest song 'Simple song of Freedom' and founded 'Direction Records', a recording studio that supported folk and protest music. He also hosted his own TV show called The Bobby Darin Amusement Company, which aired until his death. Unfortunately, on December 19th, Darin forgot to take his medication before a dental appointment and was accidentally poisoned. As a result, he had to undergo a six-hour operation performed by five surgeons to repair his weakened valves. Sadly, he died before regaining consciousness.

Written in 1969, the protest song targeted the General American Public and discussed the responsibilities (or lack thereof) of leaders like Presidents, Prime Ministers, and kings in maintaining order. It encompassed a wide range of individuals, including African Americans and the religious community, with regards to their connection to the war. This song was composed during the Vietnam War (November 1, 1959 - April 30, 1975). President Richard Nixon began withdrawing troops from Vietnam after perceiving defeat but later tried to gain control over defenses in Southern Vietnam.

During the Vietnam War, President Nixon implemented a strategy known as Vietnamization to garner support for the war among non-protesting Americans. This coincided with significant events like the commencement of the Battle of Dong Ap Bia, also called Hamburger Hill. In August, secret negotiations were conducted but failed due to a lack of consensus among representatives. On

October 15th, an anti-war protest drew hundreds of participants. Inspired by their determination, Darin penned the lyrics for his song, which portrayed war as confinement and peace as liberation. Consequently, he titled it 'Simple Song of Freedom'.

The main theme of the song is a plea to stop the war for the benefit of the people. The singer, who represents Americans, expresses their longing for peace through the words, "We, the people here, don't want a war." He challenges the misconception that war isn't as terrible as it appears and asserts that fighting is not ideal for his country. Darin addresses the audience directly and reveals that war only brings suffering. Throughout his lyrics, he consistently appeals for an end to this unnecessary conflict in order to prevent further loss of life. He strongly believes that most of the population shares his sentiments and asks, "Seven hundred million are ya list'nin'?"

Brother Solzhenitsyn, are you available? Hey, there, mister black man, can you hear me? He opines that those in power, including war leaders (e.g., Presidents), should exclusively engage in conflicts and exclude everyone else. Therefore, let us construct shelves for their altercation while loyal soldiers may dissent from this song along with patriotic members of society. They maintain the belief that America required war to progress globally and that because leaders act in the best interest of the people, if the leader commands, people should engage in warfare.

The authority figures in power are portrayed as antagonists who believe that the country should stay united during troubling times and not be divided by differing opinions. Darin sarcastically suggests that they should be allowed

to do as they please while others follow their own paths, which mocks their leadership abilities. In contrast, the soldiers prioritize unity and operate under the principle of "all for one, and one for all." The leader's decisions have a significant impact on the entire nation.

This song challenges the notion of a united nation, suggesting that peace does not necessarily equate to true freedom, as war will always loom. The authority figures portrayed reject the idea of intentionally causing war, recognizing its gravity. Bob Dylan's "Only a Pawn in their game" recounts the assassination of Medgar Evers, attributing it to an unknown individual who fired a bullet from behind a bush and triggered a chain of events.

However, he should not be faulted. He is simply a pawn in their game. A Southern politician addresses the impoverished white man, stating 'You have more than the blacks, so don't complain. You are superior to them because you were born with white skin,' they clarify. The politician exploits the name of the African-American community for personal gain as he gains fame, while the impoverished white man remains at the bottom of society. Yet, he should not be held accountable as he is merely a pawn in their manipulations. The deputy sheriffs, soldiers, governors, marshals, and cops all receive compensation for their actions, while the poor white man is controlled by them like a tool.

Under the belief that the laws support his white skin and enable his hatred, he has been educated in his school. This mindset hinders clear thinking about his circumstances, making him a mere tool used by others. Living in poverty, he

perceives the world through the cracks of his surroundings, hearing the thundering sound of horses' hooves in his mind. He is taught to conform to group behavior: shooting others from behind, clenching his fist, participating in hanging and lynching, hiding beneath a hood, and killing without remorse. Treated like a nameless creature on a leash, he is not responsible for this perspective; rather, he is just a pawn manipulated by those in power.

Dylan, born in Duluth, Minnesota and raised in a small Jewish village, is renowned for his powerful protest songs like 'Blowin' in the Wind' and 'The Times They are a-Changing'. Since 1980, he has been continuously touring the world as part of his Never Ending Tour. His music has made significant contributions to various aspects such as social issues, politics, philosophy, and literature. Dylan's remarkable accomplishments encompass winning prestigious awards including Grammy, Golden Globe, Academy Awards while also being honored with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Furthermore, he penned an autobiography named Chronicles.

In high school, he formed various bands like Shadow Blasters and Golden Chords. He also changed his name inspired by Dylan Thomas. During this time, he realized that folk music had more depth and emotion compared to Rock and Roll. Later on, he married Joan Baez and acted in BBC's The Madhouse on Castle Street. One of his songs called Only a Pawn in their Game is about the killings of civil rights worker Medgar Evers and black hotel barmaid Hattie Carroll. Both victims were murdered by William Zantzinger, a white American Southerner.

Bob Dylan's song, written in 1963 during the Civil Rights Movement,

highlights the discrimination and atrocities faced by African Americans at that time. The corrupt government allowed this unnecessary racism to prevail, resulting in the deaths of those who supported black rights and the horrifying lynchings carried out by the Ku Klux Klan. While some northern cities, like Chicago, embraced black individuals, the South continued to enforce segregation, subjecting them to brutal treatment akin to that of dogs. It is within this historical context that Dylan's song is situated.

The Famous March on Washington aimed to achieve six main goals, which included obtaining meaningful civil rights laws, advocating for a large-scale federal works program, ensuring full and fair employment, promoting decent housing, fighting for the right to vote, and advocating for normal integrated education. Upon reflecting on the matter, Dylan realized that many white individuals had been influenced by various factors, such as their parents' racist beliefs, the education system's biased teachings, and corrupt laws that perpetuated the notion that blacks were inferior. Dylan ultimately concluded that white children had never been afforded the opportunity to form unbiased opinions about black individuals due to the intimidating environment in which they grew up.

According to Dylan's song, young white children can be easily influenced and may later engage in destructive actions. The government is portrayed as using them as pawns to promote corruption and discrimination. These children are manipulated to kill without remorse, like a dog on a chain. This manipulation is achieved by exposing them to discriminatory ideologies that justify violent acts against black individuals. Both the deputy sheriffs, soldiers, governors, marshals, and cops receive compensation for their roles in enabling this system. However, the poor

white man is merely used as a tool by all of them.

The government assumes responsibility as they endorse racism and segregation. They support laws that prioritize the preservation of their white skin and encourage the perpetuation of hatred, which clouds their judgment. Consequently, the young child is deprived of the opportunity to form independent and unbiased thoughts about African Americans. Instead, they are expected to prioritize safeguarding their white skin, which signifies their pride and reputation, and to perpetuate a hatred based on ignorance. Naturally, the government would vehemently deny any association with this song, refusing to acknowledge their own corruption rooted in hate and racism.

It is unjust for a government official to view a situation with bias. The Ku Klux Klan and other racist individuals from the South would also oppose this perspective. They would argue that they have no intention to 'corrupt' or 'exploit' young children. Corruption refers to influencing someone's negative thinking to override their good judgment. The Southern Government would assert that they are merely allowing civilians to freely express their thoughts without objection or prejudice.

Despite their biased laws and negligence towards the growing number of missing African Americans, they fail to acknowledge their role in exacerbating the situation. It is worth noting that the jury and court were predominantly white. The Ku Klux Klan perceives their actions as promoting righteousness and justice for future generations. They do not take responsibility for corrupting individuals, but rather view the influence of the south as a positive factor.