"Oh say can you see" The beginning line of our National Anthem. Sung today with the first Black President, I just cannot feel anything but pride in our country as millions of people gather to sing, and unite to watch this event. Afterwards was The “Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Phillips Sousa. Another American trademark that any American pastime or political event would be empty without. Another piece that was played at the inauguration was an arrangement of "Simple Gifts". Now by being a band geek that I am, I have played many variations of it, and know it as well as the stars and stripes forever. It's interesting to me that it is an Irish tune, but it truly makes sense because America is a tossed salad (not a melting pot because many of the pieces of culture are still intact). While watching this I could not help but shiver as watching the historical event happen.
One thing that I loved that one of the pastors said was a quoted a song that was sang in the 60's that he was a part of. (This piece was written during the marches of rights in the 1960’s) This is defiantly one thing that I called my grandmother and asked her how she felt about. She said that she never thought in her life time that she would witness this event. I mean just think, she was born in 1935 and witnessed all of the segregation first hand. She was thirty-one when Martin Luther king spoke at this same spot.
While thinking historically about the sixties era, I remember a few years ago when I watched a three hour production on the 60’s (Incidentally called “The 60’s”). One thing that I noticed during the production was the amount of music that related exactly to what they were talking about. For instance, one song that comes to mind is “For What it’s Worth” By Buffalo Springfield one just can’t ignore the lyrics about stopping the war in Vietnam.
there's something happinin here
what it is aint exactly clear
theres a man with a gun over there
tellin me i got to beware
i think it's time we stop, children
what's that sound
everybody look what's goin down
there's battle lines being drawn
nobody's right if everybody's wrong
young people speakin there minds
getting so much resistance far behind
During the inauguration speech I felt that it was so reminiscent to the 60’s regarding Vietnam in the fact that we are still at war, people don’t understand why (especially now that it’s been proven that there are no nukes in Iran, or Afghanistan) and It’s only after five years and over 4000 American’s lives that we now have a president who is saying that “We are taking the troops out of Afghanistan and letting them take care of their own country”. Hearing that was amazing and I’m so excited that a lot of my family and friends lives who are currently serving will soon be in less danger.
Another example of music being used against or for politics is the use of Youtube. While trying to figure out the song from earlier I actually found the song being used as a tool to fighting against the possibility of 9’11 being a conspiracy, and just in general pointing out the corruption of the government. Here is the link,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-4IbwuEwQo
Personally I do not understand all of the video, but the gist of the anger towards the government is more than prevalent.
Another video with lots of pictures from the 60's fighting against the government http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30W3iRL48gQ&feature=related
(NPR Death toll report http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88939595)
I believe the problem with an instantaneous removal of troops from Iraq would be that such an action would leave the country in anarchy, and we would want to leave them with at least outlines of a government that would not be so easily knocked out of place by a would be dictator. At the time, Bush's reaction to the Twin Tower attack was upheld by Congress, even if it never declared war (it has not done so since WWII so that is not a big issue.) Any government is created and operated by men, who are all by nature fallible.
ReplyDeleteWow you have some serious stuff! ^.^ I'm glad people are still for their own country. I have strong views and opinions about certain things, but that doesn't mean I cannot get along with others of different views. You sound like someone who will defend what they see is right, and that is good. ^.^ Thanks for the video(s).
ReplyDeleteI thought this was really interesting to read! I was especially excited to see the picture of Obama. :) I think it was really interesting the comparisons you drew between the inauguration on Tuesday and the 1960s, it really is a lot like, right down to the fact that Michelle Obama is a fashion icon right now much like Jackie O. I thought this was really interesting to read, you had some pretty deep stuff! :)
ReplyDeleteI was talking to my dad about growing up in the 60's when I was doing my blog and he mentioned to me the parallels between the war in Vietnam and the War in Iraq. I find it interesting that you saw those parallels too. I also love the song "For What It's Worth". They play it all the time on the oldies station on the radio at home. I think one reason I love oldies so much is that a lot of the music had a purpose (protest music). Of course, a lot of music it was made just for fun about less weighty subjects (like the song that says "it's my party I can cry if I want to"). Anyway... I really loved your blog!
ReplyDeleteMonica, I'm sorry I did not put the entire qoute by Obama, he is not taking out ALL of the troops at once, but is within a year. I think that he understands the consequences if he were to pull them all out at once. Also, I really like your last sentence at the end of the comment, is that a qoute from somewhere?
ReplyDeleteMarjorie, I think it's cool that we both have noticed the parallels with the 60's. They say that history repeats itself..
Brokenheartmode,
I will agree with others, and hear their side, but sometimes I feel that it's better to agree to disagree. If you would like to have a political argument, I would love to hear what you have to say. Also, with what I said about the possibility of a conspiracy, was not necessarily my opinion, but the mere fact that there are people out there who do believe that, and are protesting it with the use of technology and song.
I apologize if I have offended anyone, it's just that politics can and will always be a very touchy subject with all of the different backgrounds everyone has even within our bubble of Converse.