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The Blacker The Berry Analysis

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Trayvon Martin’s death in 2010 sent shock waves throughout the black community. The circumstances of his death enraged Americans that were tired of mourning unnecessary deaths caused by racism. Trayvon Martin’s passing was so painful that musicians of many different races, backgrounds, and music genres all created songs regarding Martin. His death sparked a revolution that demanded justice for Trayvon and equality for all African Americans. In the song, “The Blacker the Berry”, artist Kendrick Lamar angrily addresses his view of racism in America. The song covers the subject of race relations in America, but most importantly it addresses Lamar’s experience and feelings about Martin’s death. For many artists, albums consist of fluffy songs about romance and relationships. Very few songs contain actual substance. However, for Kendrick Lamar, songs questioning and exploring societal issues compose most of his albums. Lamar seems comfortable discussing really complicated and difficult feelings. Some of that might be attributed to a difficult upbringing in the city of Compton. Lamar’s parents moved from …show more content…

The lyrics are clear and precise. When Kendrick Lamar raps he is angry and passionate in this song. It is apparent that Lamar thinks that racism is an another issue neglected by the media in the lyrics, “I mean, it's evident that I'm irrelevant to society” Lamar addresses black stereotypes, overcoming poverty, institutionalized racism, and most his own conflicted feelings. Throughout the whole song, Lamar says he is the biggest hypocrite of 2015. At the very end of the song Lamar reveals what he means in, undoubtedly, the most controversial lyrics he wrote, “So why did I weep when Trayvon Martin was in the street when gang banging make me kill a n**** blacker than me?” This line expresses Lamar’s feelings about himself, Trayvon Martin’s death, and the reason he wrote this song in twenty-three short

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Knowing that this is an everyday struggle for the black community, changes your views on how things are established for them. An individual that is not a part of such community can make a statement and say that everything is fine the way it is, but once you get an insight how the black community really lives their lives, it changes your overall perspective. These people have lived tough lives and King is expressing a small part of the real world, but that small part makes such a bold and loud statement that one could not easily

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His music is enjoyed by a variety of people regardless of their background but more specifically it appeals to people of color who have gone through similar experiences as he has. For this reason, he can be seen as a beacon of hope and a symbol of inspiration to marginalized

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Macklemore tries to point out how it happens a little too often and how comfortable people have gotten with using words. Wanting to let many know he is aware and he is all for it equal rights, “I might not be the same, but that 's not important / no freedom 'til we 're equal, damn right I support it” (lines 51-52). Macklemore wants to let everyone know whether he is or is not gay, he will keep fighting for equal rights for Gays. Hoping that others will follow in this protest of equality for the ones being effected. Giving awareness by speaking on this social

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This is not only referring back to the 1950’s equity framework. But, focus on the ever-show shamefulness Black America still battles with today. History has demonstrated to us how these one-sided practices have been permitted and now have turned into the preface of our nation. Here is a differentiated timetable of how America has advanced on the matter of racial treachery. Lillian Bertram was a very strong influential woman that wanted justice for Trayvon Martin so she used this poem as a way to help tell his story.

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China had undergone many economic and cultural changes and continuities during the period of time from 200 B.C. to 300 C.E. The Zhou dynasty fell in 256 B.C. due to civil conflict, and the Qin declared itself the leader. The Qin emperor was able to defeat all his rivals in 221 B.C., proclaiming the new Qin dynasty. The Qin dynasty, however, did not last long as it was overthrown a few years after its emperor died in 210 B.C. The Han dynasty appeared in 202 B.C. after the Qin and fell in 220 C.E., ending China’s major cultural and economic development period without another dynasty until over 400 years later.

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“Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear-drenched communities, and in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty.” Fortunately, King’s and other people’s hope was completed but it wasn’t an easy task to do. During the time King was writing the “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, the African-American Civil Rights Movement was proceeding. Men and Women were protesting for the equal rights of “colored people”, to overcome racial injustice in the USA and Martin Luther King Jr. was a major part of it. He was one of the main leaders of this movement; this

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Yes, I agree with your analysis of Mos Def's focus on black culture and its connection to hip hop culture in the song. Mos Def is emphasizing that his blackness is central to his identity and that hip hop culture is a way to express that identity. He notes that hip hop culture, like black culture, has roots in struggle and oppression, but has also become a means for empowerment and expression. Regarding the final lines of the song, I also agree that Mos Def is highlighting the victimization that black communities face. The line "hip hop will do whatever you say do, but Black, it can't save you" emphasizes that even though hip hop culture provides a means for expression and empowerment, it cannot erase the systemic inequalities and injustices

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MLK has an encouraging and patient tone, that illustrates his pathos, of being able to show his emotions in his words. In his letter, he states, “As in so many experiences of the past, we were confronted with blasted hopes, and the dark shadow of a deep disappointment settled upon us” (2). Shows that through many situations he has gone through, he has suffered through disappointment, and that many times he tries to be strong for himself and others. But there was always this shadow, that represented the rejection of the whites, being able to know that what they are doing is very wrong. In his life, he has always been told this, “For years now I have heard the word “wait.”

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In the United States what has been a huge topic is the exposure of racism. Hip-hop artist and rappers have become the voice of many communities by expressing the everyday struggle people of color overcome at some point in their lives. Kendrick Lamar an artist from Compton has been the voice of the black community and of the youth. Kendrick has been known to touch on issues such as murder, financial issues, and racism. In his latest album “DAMN.”

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Isaiah Bates Mr. Beshwate English 102-12 25 April 2024 Kendrick Lamar Uses Poetry In His Songs In today’s rap game, only a handful of artists are truly making poetry with their words and influence. Despite the rap/music industry, Kendrick Lemar stands out as a prime example who embraces the role of a rapper while embodying the essence of a modern-day poet within the rap genre. Throughout his career, Kendrick Lamar has consistently transcended the traditional boundaries of being a rapper, not only because of his astounding lyrical ability to address complex social issues in our world. Lemar’s music resonates deeply with listeners by sharing personal experiences of the struggles and challenges you face as a black man in America.

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In memory of Trayvon Martin represents the feeling people go through when people die and how that connects to society today. He uses repetition and metaphor to talk about society. The text states, “My brothers are notorious. They have not been to prison. They have been imprisoned.

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In 1992, Tupac Shakur wrote a song titled “Changes” in response to injustice in black communities in America, and concerning the need for some serious changes to be made in order for life in these communities to get better. He directed this song towards black youth in an effort to persuade them to be the ones to propagate this change. The desperation, frustration, anger, and fear in this piece create a very distinct and powerful tone that proves effective in helping create rhetoric. Tupac uses his song as a vessel for a powerful piece of rhetoric. The first thing one notices when listening to this piece is the tone and diction it employs.

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His purpose in writing and performing this song is very simple, to motivate. Despite the record label not wanting to release the song for it being too lyrical and having too deep

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The instrumentation in “The Blacker the Berry” consists of drums, electric piano, and bass guitars. It also has a bit of jazzier instrumentation involved which is present at the end of the song after the mentioned “ So why did I weep When Trayvon Martin was in the streets?” This gives it a smoother ending in order to end his message with a more powerful meaning. The intensity of the lyrics of “The Blacker the Berry” is strengthen by its use of dark and aggressive rhythm of drums along with haunting melodies in the background.

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Protest songs played important roles during the Civil Rights Movement giving people hope and outlook for a better tomorrow. Famous ones were Bob Dylan’s “Blowin in the Wind” or “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke. These songs were products of the disconcerting oppression and racism and they still considered to be the most powerful protest songs ever written. Kendrick Lamar managed to follow the footsteps of these musicians and create impressive contemporary protest songs. He is the undisputed “king” of present-day Hip Hop, influencing generations from younger to older all around world.

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