Amandla!
The film gives testimonies of the
role of music in the black revolution against apartheid in South Africa. Music was essential to the revolution in many
ways. It kept spirits up, united the
people, spread messages, and provided an outlet of emotion, among other
things. Many of the interviewees—composers,
musicians, actors, and freedom fighters—spoke of the importance of music to
them and the how it helped them through the tough times. The fight against apartheid was arguably
fought more through music than it was through violence, as these singers used
their words more effectively than any other weapon.
What I found most interesting was
the way in which one man described how much music permeated his life. He described how his mother would come home
with no money to buy food and sing a dirge, rather than complain or weep. Another woman described singing for fallen
comrades in battle rather than weeping, in order to keep spirits up. This was a vivid example of how large of a role
music played in these peoples lives. We
use music in America to spread messages, but in a very different way. Is there any equivalent output of everyday
emotion in America? Is the use of song
to express these emotions effective or does it limit the singer’s ability to
get their message across? Would South
Africans consider this “music” or simply an everyday expression of self?
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