The decline of activism in music

Hello, LittleFoot...

I disagree. I think Ellen can make a reasonable case for her premise that music and politics have been intertwined "since the start." Well before the Revolution, British soldiers used the song "Yankee Doodle" as a way to insult colonists. Turnabout is fair play, and the Continentals switched up the lyrics as a political jab aimed at the Brits and as a way of lauding George Washington. It doesn't get too more political than using a song to take a poke at the British government in the 1770s.

I would refer you to the DJ's "Welcome to the discussion" guidelines for posting comments. Item 5 says simply, "Be Nice." Try it.

"Music and politics have been entangled since the start"

No - they have not. At all. When exactly was "The Start"? What year was that? And there is not an "innate" connection between the two - you just want there to be. The latent arrogance here is startling - to think history starts with your consciousness. I would love to hear your explain of what you colloquially refer to as "the start." As a writer - this kind of mistake is unforgivable - before the end of the first sentence - you are already establishing to the reader that you know much more than they do - and in order to continue on this literary journey we must arbitrarily accept what you define as "the start" - mind you, without even giving the reader the common courtesy of explaining what you mean by that chronology. So you are telling me politics and music grew together on the same graph and timeline? You make unfounded claims about how things have "always been" without having been there or citing any evidence. You do understand people write PHS's about the claims you are making. When you go to a good college - you are going to get roasted like this by your professors. Just preparing you - before I dissect the rest of this garbage article.

"It builds a community and promotes the feeling of empathy in audiences, pushing for rebellion. Thus, music has often been a tool used to protest and bring about social change. "

I don't think anybody on planet earth with 2 firing brain cells will say Lady GAGA and Beyonce have brought people together and established community. YOUR version of music is manipulative and focuses on the changes you wish to see in others - which is a fools folly - it will never happen. I will say the quiet part out loud - the only rebellion you want to see - is against God - and you support low vibrational artists who want that as well. Beyonce and Lady Gaga were on the Diddy Lists. If thats the kind of demonic energy you want to invite into your house - it is your parents fault for failing you.

I came from the Green Day generation in the 90s - and Dookie and Insomniac were two of my favorite albums of all time - got them both for Xmas. Guess what ? They weren't political. They were about drug addiction and family troubles and feeling isolated/alienated. So I guess you can throw your entire postulation and evidence out the window - because not even Green Day fits your hypothesis. Doubt you have even ran the Insomniac album through - let alone in one sitting. James Brown also sang ITS A MANS WORLD - and did a duet with Pavarotti which is one of my favorite performances of all time. Isn't that misogynistic? Shouldn't he be cancelled for that?

"Anti-war music or music criticizing the government or capitalism or the wage gap, although exist, are less common than before and never grow to much popularity."

You loose all credibility when being partisan on war - Democrats been at war with Russia since Biden took office. Crickets. I love when kids talk about Capitalism like they know anything - you have never made a dollar or paid taxes - stop it. Contribute something to society besides your worthless thoughts and then maybe we can talk about your social capital - because right now its less than zero. Blame your parents for not teaching you anything but arrogance.

"There are a few possible explanations for this trend. After 9/11,..."

You say "after 9/11" like it was not a big deal that 2,000 American were killed. Your inherent bias is too hard to restrain.

"Furthermore, the rise of social media may have also caused the death of protest music"

This proves you have no brain and are a solipsistic goofball - and have failed parents I hear a perpetual victim that has no answers but only whiny problems.Lets continue.

"In the modern age..."

What is the Modern Age ? Are we too stupid or are you too smart?

"music is subjected to a certain aesthetic for profit purposes.."

Yes it is - and to think that same strategy isnt being put back on you willing solipsists is beyond foolish.

"The music industry dictates the type of activism that is seen,"

Who is "the music industry" ? Lazy sloppy writing and reporting.

"because an industry built on capitalism isn’t going to sponsor a song with anti-capitalist ideals. "

Hollywood was not built out of Capitalism at all. Now I am starting to understand you are a dumb person.

"Maybe it’s the end of the era of protest music. Maybe it still exists"

Maybe...just maybe...you will find your soul. Maybe it still exists.