To what extend is popular music an effective medium of political discourse? Popular music is a term for music of all ages that appeals to popular tastes. It reflects the features and events of the time period. That is, society affects the music and music reflects the social climate. When we look at the importance of music for society, it has political contents and political aims inevitably. Music has been voicing people’s concerns for many years.
When we take this feature of music into consideration, we can not escape the effect of music on political discourses since political discourse is he talk and debates of politicians or political events and it is basically the basis of democracy that interests all people. If we consider the power of music that can inspire and mobiles movements, popular music is an effective medium of political discourse for two reasons; it raises people’s awareness of political and social issues and move them; and it makes people feel united. The connection between music and politics is seen as political expression in music.
This expression can use protest themes which includes anti war content and criticism of the current policies. Many vents that happened in the past and happening now have been reflected in songs. And also, there are many musicians who are really care about world’s and people’s problems. They try to attract people’s attention to these problems by questioning current policies. There are lots of things to say against war, and musicians have a word to say anti war ideas of people. For instance, Frederic Weathers song, Danny Boy, is about a boy who was serving in war and a person, his girlfriend or mother, who has been waiting for him.
This song make people more aware of brutality of war and impact on people who serve in war and wait for servers. Many songs include anti war content like Eric Purdon’s “Sky Pilot” asked how pilots could bomb and kill and ignore the horror of their actions. (Masters M. , 2003) Music encourages people to be aware of political issues and can inspire crowds and move individuals to react against political problems that causes wars, which caused the death or psychological devastation of thousands of people.
In recent times, many artists have written songs to depict political and social problems. Musicians who are aware of the social and political problems want to react against a political systems and problems and also they want to make all people aware of these issues. For example, Pink had written a song, “Dear Mr.. President”, about social and political problems in American life. Pink’s most political song, “Dear Mr.. President,” is an open letter to George W. Bush. (Vineyard J, 2006 January 3) This song is such a good example to show the connection between music and politics.
Pink is questioning current policy of American politicians by criticizing George W. Bush. This song has been listened to by many people and attracted people’s attention on the social life of American citizens. In addition, her father served in Vietnam and she knows the brutality of war and the failure of war on families. Pinks attitudes against war and her song is really effective to raise people’s awareness of political and social issues. Effectiveness of Popular Music in Political Discourse By marinara who are truly conscious to people’s problems like Pink.
The recent invasions in Middle East and in other less developed countries make musicians more concerned about world affairs. For instance, Turkish singers made a song about American invasion in the Middle East in 2003, “Sapp Greek Yoke”. Singers who are from Turkey sang this song and it has been listened to by many people. The war has been talked by politicians and citizens in media or in street but Just talking about the war doesn’t solve this problem. Actually, through these kinds of songs the awareness of all people is raised and they make people feel united.
These political and social content songs are evidences of that music creates awareness to all the world’s problems not only to our country. Thanks to these songs, people from all around the world can see other nations’ problems and experiences. Expressing protests about ar and the other political actions, music can show us the truth and people’s feelings about these events. Music is the only common language and gives a sense of community. “Music supplies a voice and allows for the creation of a shared experience and collected vision amongst those who desire change. “(Williams, R, 2009, April 10).
Music supplies a voice to all people to communicate with others and to share experiences. That is, it has been voicing our feeling and concerns. There is an important movement in Turkey that includes 90 countries participated in to sing their concerns about the results of earthquake in Van. People in Van lost their houses, families and lots of valuable things so they need spiritual and material help. There were lots of activity for monetary grant for these people but there has been the most efficient movement to show earthquake survivors that we understand your pain and want to help you.
This movement is “The Rhythm of Universe”; the idea of this group is “One for all, all for Van” and also they say “We share the same language:Music. ” This organization provides collaboration and unity through music between people of many cultures who might be separated by political, social, or geographical reasons. This music group indicate that music is the universal language and it brings people together whatever their nationalities are. These talented and conscious people attract almost all nations attention to people who were suffered from earthquake in Van.
These kinds of movements make people heard about other people’s problems and make them strong to feel united and give a sense of community as a whole. As Williams said, music supplies a voice for shared concerns and experiences. (2009, April 10) I would like to say something about an important social and political issue in Turkey that should not be overlooked. In Turkey, especially in Southeastern Anatolia, there are many girls are got married in their early ages and they are exposed to beatings and honor killings.
The desperation and silence of these young women has been told by songs. Gјoldјany was the most prominent symbol of the victim of honor killing but she is not the last one. She was raped by her relative and her family decided to kill her. She was Just a victim but nobody listened to her and she was killed by her own brother. Gјoldјany inspired many singers to react these kinds of cruelty through their songs. Many musicians wrote songs given a name is ‘Gјoldјany’ ND gave concerts on behalf of ‘Gјoldјany’. Adding D, Satan E, camaraderie R, 2009) Another song which is sung to attract people’s notice on the early marriages of girls is ‘њnozzle’, which was written by Easel Gјreel. It tells about a girl who was got married married at her 8 and being a mother at her 12. This song is based on a true story of ‘њnozzle’. There is such a good sentence in lyrics of ‘њnozzle’ to show effectiveness of music: “How many sheep does њnozzle cost? “. It is the most meaningful part of song that indicate real situation of these victims that we do not know. These girls have en sold as a good.
These songs show us the whole brutality of the world. The effect of these songs and concerts was huge and make people aware and move them against discrimination against women. These songs and events attract also politicians attention and there has carried out works for sexual and social policies for women by government ministry for women’s and family responsibilities. “The Committee commends the State party for its sponsorship of General Assembly resolution 59/165 of 20 December 2004, entitled “Working towards the elimination of crimes against women and girls committed in the name of honor.
The Committee is concerned about the persistence of violence against women, including domestic violence. It is concerned that women victims of violence are unaware of their rights and the protection mechanisms available to them under Thelma. The Committee is furthermore concerned that support services for homogeneities of violence, including shelters, are inadequate in number. The Committee calls upon the State party to intensify its efforts to prevented combat violence against women, including domestic violence, which is a form of discrimination against women and a violation of heir human rights.
The Committee underlines the need to fully implement and carefully monitor the effectiveness of the Law on the Protection of the Family, and of related policies in order to prevent violence against women, provide protection and support services to the victims, and punish and rehabilitate offenders. ” (Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, 2005, January 10-28 ) The precaution sometimes could not draw society’s attention adequately. In this case music can be used to attract people’s attention by touching on point in lyrics that here is discrimination against women and a violation of their human rights.
