Something I have found really interesting for a while is the use of rap and other art forms in Palestinian non-violent resistance. I found out about Shadia Mansour, called the "first lady of Arabic hip-hop", who is a Palestinian artist living in Britain, a few years ago, and have listened to her ever since. I am writing a research paper on the use of rap in Palestinian solidarity and anti-occupation movements, and found a few articles that I think may be interesting when thinking about non-violent movements.
This article is called "Can't Stop the SlingShot", a reference to the commonly-known symbol of Palestinian resistance. It was written on the documentary SlingShot Hip Hop, which followed the rap movement in Palestine.
http://www.tikkun.org/nextgen/cant-stop-the-slinshot-hip-hop-arises-in-palestine
Wow that is pretty interesting! I think its really cool how influential music can be and was. When thinking of social movements you mostly think about NGOs or dictatorship or other actors but hardly ever music or media. Music and media can sometimes be just as influential if not more.
ReplyDeleteThis is so unique! I love the idea that music can play a key role in self expression even when it comes to highly stigmatized, deeply ingrained, social and cultural issues. We see that a lot in the United States with artists such as Kanye West, Chance the Rapper, Kendrick Lamar, and more who all use their music as a medium to express problems within the black community as well as highlight important issues such as police brutality. I think it's so cool that this is also being done in other countries relating to other movements. Even how song was utilized in Egypt during Arab Spring is so interesting to think about and something that should be discussed more.
ReplyDeleteI am impressed that hip hop can have such a diversifying effect on the social movements in Palestine. Music is often the outlet of expression and therefore the voice of the youth and I am enriched by this bit of information. I appreciate the fact that Shadia Mansour used her platform so brilliantly. It reminds me of artists like Kendrick Lamar who used his platform to talk about the systematic black oppression in the US.
ReplyDeleteyou've encouraged me to do more research on this!