World renowned Nigerian Afrobeat exponent Fela Anikulapo-Kuti once exclaimed, "music is the weapon." This newly devised course teases out and plunges into the meaning behind Kuti's statement using a comparative black history framework that treats different historical eras, and the playlists that molded, and crafted protest songs. Connections between and among the African continent and the globe lie at this center of this intriguing conversation which addresses music's revolutionary, and exploratory role. Playlists will dominate the analyses that this course will generate. Questions like, how has music served as a vehicle for change, is it a weapon or not, and lastly, what is music's place in protest movements serve as points for investigation in this course which examines its role as vehicle for change to combat economic inequalities, political abuse, and other forms of discrimination. This course is very interactive. Students will create playlists from different historical eras to investigate the contemporary problem or event of various eras to make connections to present-day. Africans, and others around the world overtly protested through songs that contain symbolism, and historical allusions that channel the mood, and feelings of historic moments. These selected quotes capture the importance of music:
“I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.” ― Billy Joel
“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.” ― Bob Marley
“The only truth is music.” ― Jack Kerouac
“Music is the literature of the heart; it commences where speech ends.” ― Alphonse de Lamartine
“Beethoven tells you what it’s like to be Beethoven and Mozart tells you what it’s like to be human. Bach tells you what it’s like to be the universe.” ― Douglas Adams
“The music is not in the notes, but in the silence between.” ― Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
“Music is the great uniter. An incredible force. Something that people who differ on everything and anything else can have in common.” ― Sarah Dessen