Soundtrack for a Revolution

Published Oct 29, 2017

The documentary, “A Soundtrack for a Revolution”, depicts the many roles that music played during the Civil Rights demonstrations of the 1950s-1960s.

For those who played a part during the Civil Rights movement, the music that they sang was a way of life for them. It was a way to connect to eachother through their experiences and to express themselves, united.

The music created a sense of solidarity, espcially when there was a concern of potential violence. Even when one was thrown in jail, there was a song to be sung. The music helped keep their spirits lifted so that they could express their inner emotions. All of the songs had purpose and an element of reason to them.

This music was performed anywhere and everywhere; inside homes and outide in public for all to here. It didnt matter where it was performed bc the music was for those who were singing it. The music was very soulful with strong beats that were easy to clap and tap to. The beats were easy to join in on because of that spiritual quality.

I don’t think that this type of music culture has changed very much because we still have songs that we sing when a tragedy occurs or when there is a type of injustice in our society. Music is still used in the same way as a means to unite people, express their feeling, and validate that the way they are feeling is one in the same as others. I think that this use of music will continue till the end of time.

What stands out most to me in this documentary is the beauty of unity through song. They way that these people could come together through horrible circumstances and stand together to chant their glorious songs is truly something to appreciate. They allowed the music to keep their hearts lifted together as one. If something was going wrong, they sang a song and lifted each other up, united as one, unseperable and undivided.