The roots of connection between social justice and music run deep. Music has a unique power not only to tap into a deep emotional state, but also share that state with an entire group of people. It is both evocative and connecting, making it a perfect medium for social justice.
A Brief History of Social Justice and Protest Music
The Concept of Lament
The roots of social justice in music share a common ancestry with the lament. A lament is a passionate expression of grief, often captured in poetry or song. Laments have an ancient history, with surviving examples dating as far back as Sumer 4,000 years ago. The lament has been popular across the ages and all over the globe, from Old Testament Judaism to the Scottish bagpipe lament.
Following in the footsteps of the many women throughout history who have practiced lament, the Crow Women have our own language of lament. This is perhaps nowhere better seen than in “The Roots of My Heart.” We have sung this beautiful piece for far too many memorials, to the point that is almost shorthand for love and loss within our group. It is a powerful piece that brings us closer as a group and reminds us of the tenuous threads of life that hold us to the earth. Presuming it doesn’t fall apart in the middle (it is a complicated song!), we rarely make it through with dry eyes.
Social justice also has roots in grief and loss. Sometimes it calls for divine deliverance, but more often it calls for a more earthly reckoning.
Social Justice Music and the African-American Experience
Perhaps nowhere in American culture is the connection between music and social justice more powerful than in African-American music. Starting with early southern gospels during the slave era, song expressed the communal call for freedom. This freedom was often couched as deliverance to heaven. Gospel hymns were freeing and subversive. They used language acceptable to Christian slave owners, but expressed a self-determination those same owners likely would not have accepted.
Gospels evolved into blues music, which shed the religious tones and focused more on the self-determination. Blues became a reflection and repository of the political interests of the moment. As Black politics shaped the music, so the music shaped the culture.
Blues’ younger cousin jazz (particularly free jazz) similarly reflected and shaped many aspects of the Civil Rights movement.
Jazz was originally protest music—music with a social message, promoting social change.
Nabaté Isles
Protest songs
Later other protest songs emerged. Some comprise a subgenre of folk music, popularly exemplified by such folk musicians as Bob Dylan and Woodie Guthrie and the many anti-war pieces from the late sixties and early seventies.
Punk rock emerged from the working-class as a post-industrial, anti-establishment “howl of rage.” It was in some ways to British white boys a similar expression that hip-hop would become for African-Americans.
Over the years we’ve used song to protest slavery, exploitation of workers, lack of political voice for women, violence against marginalized people, and many other human rights issues.
A Sampling of Protest Songs in Popular Culture
- Black and Blue (Louis Armstrong)
- Come Sunday (Duke Ellington and Mahalia Jackson)
- Get Up, Stand Up (Bob Marley)
- Strange Fruit (Abel Meeropol, popularized by Billie Holiday)
- We Shall Overcome (Pete Seeger)
- Blowin’ in the Wind (Bob Dylan)
- Another Brick in the Wall (Pink Floyd)
- F— Tha Police (NWA)
- Mississippi Goddam (Nina Simone)
- Just a Girl (No Doubt)
- Say It Loud I’m Black and Proud (James Brown)
- Zombie (The Cranberries)
- It’s Raining Them (Mila Jam)
Beyond Healing Energy
Somewhat different from protest songs are what I call the “We Are the World” (WATW) genre. These songs speak to the interconnectedness of humanity, mutual support and healing, and universal love. This music tends to be warmer and more approachable than raw and gritty protest songs.
WATW songs are to protest what being a nonracist is to being an antiracist: perhaps an important step on the way to recognizing the need for action. It is because we love and mutually respect each other, we are called to fight for one another. And healing is critical if we are to keep the fight going.
Yet it’s also important to recognize that the song We Are the World was in itself activism. The project raised over $75 million in famine relief for Ethiopia and continues to raise money to eliminate hunger in Africa. Yes, like most such projects, getting the relief to the people in need was a logistical nightmare and some money was wasted, but it still made an enormous impact.
As you listen to songs of social justice, contemplate whether the theme is of universal love and healing or of changing inequitable and unjust systems.
Social Justice in Pagan Song
Pagans and Social Justice
“An It Harm None, Do As Thy Will,” states the Wiccan Rede, a sentiment echoed in concept, if not in word, by many other pagan traditions. Indeed the very basis of most pagan spirituality is the interconnectedness and sacredness of all creation–the rocks and plants and creatures upon this earth. That underlying theological concept lends itself to a world view that recognizes the worth in all humanity. When we see each other as whole and worthy, we cannot turn a blind eye to injustice.
“No one is free until all are free.”
Martin Luther King
Traditionally, our earth-based spirituality has inspired many pagans to be involved in environmental activism. The Earth is our Mother, so we are compelled to respond when she is mistreated. Yet if the earth is our mother, then all who walk upon her are our siblings. We cannot stand idly by and allow our family members to be mistreated, oppressed, victimized, conspired against, and killed. This understanding has led more and more pagans to find our role in social justice and activism as central to our spirituality. Pagans are active in social justice advocacy across the globe, including LGBTQ+ rights, Black Lives Matter, the Occupy movement, Showing Up for Racial Justice, ADAPT, and anti-war activism.
“I advocate nonviolence. But nonviolence is not passivity. It calls us to actively acknowledge that racism and patriarchy are deep, inherent, endemic forms of perpetual violence that infuse our society deeply, and will take much thought and work and courage to transform.And for those of you who have said, ‘I love your Pagan, spiritual stuff but I’m not sure I’m with you on this’ – this IS my spiritual stuff. The Goddess I embrace is both love and rage, is She who inspires our passion for justice, and sustains us through the long hard work to bring it about.”
Starhawk
Pagans Benefit from Social Justice
Of course, we don’t forget that historically, pagans are a marginalized group. The burning times aren’t that far behind us. We have achieved some legal and social status and protections. But pagans still face explicit and implicit discrimination in employment, family court, and daily life.
I am reminded of Martin Niemoller’s powerful poem “First They Came.” Once they start coming for the undesirables, you can bet they will come for us. Social justice is in our self interest.
Social Justice in Pagan Music
Thus, as pagans recognize their role in social justice, this philosophy of activism also is reflected in pagan music. Music plays a huge role in most religious expression, and pagans are no different. Though many of our pagan chants have emerged from the fire circle like a fully-formed elemental deva, we have also developed an entire genre of pagan music that closely resembles its secular cousin. You can find pagan music with rock overtones, folk, blues, pop, and even jazz. And of course, we have a growing repertoire of social justice music that echoes the protest and WATW songs of popular culture.
We have our songs of hope and coming together. Compare “Out Beyond” by Joanne Hammil (recorded by Libana on their album Turning) with John Lennon’s “Imagine.”
We sing for mama earth. Tracy Chapman’s “Rape of the World” echoes the sentiments of SJ Tucker’s “1157 (‘Til It’s Over)” or any of the songs on Tuatha Dea’s The Green Album. And The Green Album itself is a heir to “We Are the World.” The compilation has been contributing 25% of all profits to the Rainforest Trust since its release in 2016.
And we sing our protest. Though they are very different musically, thematically you can recognize a common thread between Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” and Gwydion Pendderwen’s “We Won’t Wait Any Longer.” Essentially, they each say, we’re done with the violence and oppression. You will not shoot, hang, burn, or kill us ever again.
A Sampling of Pagan Social Justice Music
- Circle of Healing (Crow Women)
- Where There’s Fear There’s Power (Reclaiming)
- The Christians and the Pagans (Dar Williams)
- We Are Keepers (Crow Women)
- Full Height of Our Power (Kelliana)
- Web of Wonder (Crow Women)
- It’s Up to You (Murphey’s Midnight Rounders)
For a robust listing of pagan social justice music, check out Alane Brown’s Pagan Activism playlist on Spotify.
Upcoming Crow Women Songs for Social Justice
The Crow Women celebrate social justice, both as a coven and a band. You will find a sampling of songs for social justice in our previous albums. But now we are plotting an even more ambitious project dedicated to social justice topics such as Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ+ rights. Watch this blog for updates!
Song for Jude (Tara Kiene, Crow Women)
Resources
This post is merely a cursory exploration of the topic of social justice in song and paganism. If I sparked your interest, consider a deeper dive in with some more blogs, articles, and podcasts:
- Social Justice from a Pagan Perspective by Gus diZerega
- Goddess’ Vault Podcast–Pagan Activism Episode
- The Balancing Path by Sidney Eileen–Social Justice Articles
- Teach Rock Lessons on Music and Social Justice
- Music and Social Justice–Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Does a further exploration of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from a pagan perspective interest you? This author is leading a seminar/discussion through Ardantane on April 8, 2022 at 7 p.m. Mountain Time. Register HERE to participate or ask about a recording.
So, do you have your own favorite social justice music (pagan or secular)? Please share in the comments below!
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What an interesting post. Now I’m feeling inspired to write a social justice song!
This really expanded my understanding of social justice music, and as a 50-year folk-music practitioner I thought I knew a lot. A few of my favorites to add: Arlo Guthrie (“Deportee”), Buffy Sainte-Marie (Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee) and much of Don McLean’s music, notably “Tapestry” and “Orphans of Wealth.”
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