ENGL 2P53 Final: Art and Social Transformation in Amandla
26 Apr 2016
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Document Summary
A revolution in four part harmony documents the lives of individuals that lived through apartheid in south africa and how music influenced their lives. While living in a society that has stripped them of their rights and their ability to speak freely and voice their opinions, singing and music was the solution. Hirsch"s documentary illustrates the ways in which black south africa used music as a method of communicating their feelings and frustrations regarding the apartheid system and the injustice they endured. Amandla! illustrates the relationship between art and social change by showing music as a way of storytelling and testimony. Music was considered a method of communication during a time when freedom of speech did not exist. Though many of the songs sound to be upbeat and exciting, they are in fact social commentaries with important political messages that they were only allowed to project through music.
