Principled Music series: popular music and social justice

Music and social justice have always had close ties. Music has been used for centuries to pass on important life lessons and to motivate change.  Many artists have recorded songs that seek to empower the listener to make social change. In addition, pop culture can help youth to discuss important social issues with peers; talking about social issues with peers can be daunting, particularly if the youth lives and goes to school in an atmosphere in which they know that their viewpoint is not necessarily shared by the majority of their peers. Referencing a television show, a movie, a song, or a website can help youth express their opinions to others.

These lessons use popular music from the 1960s through the present as the basis for in-depth discussions of social justice topics. Each lesson guide includes an overview of the topic, plus 6 relevant songs for listening.  After listening, the class engages in discussion and activities, using the lyrics of the songs as a launching point to:

• Consider social justice and the ways in which this consideration can also help us understand our values.
• Understand ways in which the right of conscience calls us to do what’s right, even if there are possible negative consequences.
• Examine how our choices affect others around us, as well as ourselves.
• Explore how taking a stand is related to perspective and point of view.

Students are also encouraged to bring in their own examples of songs on the topic under discussion.  These songs can be compiled into a class playlist, that can shared with all students.

The material in each lesson can be covered in one or multiple sessions, depending on how many songs are listened to, and/or how many additional songs are provided by students. Allow approximately 5 minutes to listen to a piece of music, or 10 minutes to listen to it twice. Covering all of the content at once would require about 2 hours of class, allowing participants to listen to, or view videos for, about 6 songs, plus allow about 60-90 minutes of discussion and activities. Pick and choose which parts are most relevant for your class and timeframe.