Reggae as a Social Movement: Jamaica s Social Reform via Music

Transcription

1 Reggae as a Social Movement: Jamaica s Social Reform via Music

2 Social Movement? Social Movement: Is the structured organization of individuals that encourages or discourages social change. What are some examples of social movements? Women's suffrage movement Women s right to vote. Civil Rights Movement - Political and social equality for all races. Ku Klux Klan Maintaining white racial supremacy.

3 Types of Social Movements Conservative: A movement that seeks to maintain the social and/or political status quo. Reactionary: Focuses on restoration of society to a previous social state. Reform: A movement that aims to gradually and progressively change a society. Radical: Focuses on changing the fundamental values a society. Revolution : Violent overthrowing of the political structure.

4 Jamaica s History Gained independence from Great Britain in 1962 History of Slavery Population estimated at 2.8million Citizen are predominantly of African and East Indian descent. GDP (PPP) per capita as of 2010 was $8400 Christianity is the dominant religion Nearest neighbor is Cuba (90 miles)

5 Jamaica s Musical History Jamaica s music has traditionally represented the medium for elaborating on its: Cultural norms Cultural values Social issues The Jamaica s music can be mapped throughout each decade to gain insight on the social issues of the time.

6 Jamaica s Musical History Ska : Mixture of American and European Jazz (late 1950 s) Millie Small My Boy Lollipop Rock Steady: Similar to early RnB (early 1960 s) Desmond Dekker 007 Shanty Town Reggae: (late 1960 s) Bob Marley Redemption Songs Dub: Similar to Early Rap (late 1960 s) Wake the Town U Roy Dancehall: Similar to Rap and Hip-Hop (early 1980 s) Sean Paul Gimmie Di Light

7 REGGAE

8 Origins of Reggae Coral Gardens Incident Franklyn April, 11, 1963 Bad Friday Nationwide Harassment

9 Reggae: Rastafarians Had a strong African Culture; originating in maroon villages secluded lower class, subculture established and maintained by escaped slaves. Were not accepted within the dominant Anglo- Christian culture. Believed the reincarnation of God s son was Haile Selassie I Believed that Africa as the birthplace of mankind Distorting physical appearance and dress codes Dreads, Poor Hygiene Mostly accepted by the lower class

10 Reggae: Rastafarian Norman Manley, Jamaica s Prime Minister ( ) said, These people and I am glad that it is only a small number of them are the wicked enemies of our country. I ask you all to report any unusual or suspicious movements you may see pertaining to the Rastafarians.

11 PLAY SONG!! Peter Tosh Equal Rights and Justice

12 The Marxian View of Social Movements.

13 The Marxian View of Social Movements. Contradictions: Are unreasonable tensions between the classes which increase over time because of the changes in production. Bourgeoisie = Upper and middle class Jamaicans Proletariat = The Poor, lower class Marx believed that a revolutionary change would be the inevitable outcome of the class conflict.

14 The Marxian View of Social Movements. Collective Consciousness: A group s general awareness of their oppression by the dominant classes and the understanding that there is need for a change. Reggae music represented a means of creating a collective consciousness among the lower class. Reggae also created the means of how society should ideally be.

15 Smelser s Structural Strain 1st Structural Conduciveness: Individuals first must have a means to assemble and discusses the social issue. 2nd Structural Strain: There must be a clearly defined social tensions between groups ( Marx s Contradiction). 3rd General Belief: Ideologies created to solve the issue or to explain what the ideal state should be. 4th Precipitating Event: Event that triggers direct involvement of individuals who are apart of the social movement. 5th Mobilization: Establishment of leaders and communication between members. 6th Social Control: Retaliation by the dominant groups.

16 Structural Conduciveness Popularized by the sound system and frequent street dances.

17 Structural Strain Poverty within the lower class Religious oppression (Rastafarian) Limited access to State resources Education Health Care Political exclusion: limited representation in politics

18 Social Movement : Reggae as an Ideology What was the message of Reggae? Universal equality (within Jamaica as well as internationally) Political Social Pan-Africanism: The social progression of African descendants around the world as well as Native Africans. Philosophical approach Marcus Garvey Haillie Selassie

19 Social Movement: Reggae as an Ideology

20 Social Movement: Reggae as an Ideology Marcus Garvey Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our mind. One of the founders of the Pan-African Movement. Focus the importance of African unity among African descendants around the world Emphasized the relocation of African descendants to Africa ( early core belief of the Rastafarianism)

21 Social Movement: Reggae as an Ideology Haile Selassie Emphasized the equality of all people Focused of debunking ideologies that reinforce segregation of individuals

22 Social Movement: Reggae as an Ideology Bob Marley Seen as a prophet, spreading the meaning of the Rastafarian social movement on an international scale Used reggae music as the media to create awareness of the philosophy of reggae.

23 Mobilization Micheal Manley Jamaican Prime Minister

24 Mobilization Represented the interest of the lower class. Acknowledged Rastafarians and became their voice in the political arena. Was elected Prime Minister of Jamaica due to the support of the lower class and Rastafarians.

25 Mobilization: Michael Manley Social Reforms Established Minimum Wage Equal Pay for Women Illegalizing the of stigma of illegitimacy Increase the rights and benefits of Trade Unions Universal education from Elementary to University Universal Health Care

26 Social Control: Backlash Fear of Communism by the Elite class. Large number of wealthy individuals migrated from Jamaica. Business withdrew investments within the country. International support of the opposition party

27 Group Activity! 1) What other genres or musical artist are related to a social movement? Identify the genre or musical artist. What was the specific social movement. How did the genre or artist affect the social movement. 2) Discuss the meaning of the following quote within your groups:

28 Group Activity! "Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior, is finally and permanently discredited, and abandoned, everywhere is war. And until there are no longer first-class and second-class citizens of any nation, until the color of a man's skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes. And until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race, there is war. And until that day, the dream of lasting peace, world citizenship, rule of international morality, will remain but a fleeting illusion to be pursued, but never attained... now everywhere is war. - Haile Selassie