Introduction
The political importance of music can be hardly underestimated. Music has been used by the representatives of different political groups and formations along with the representatives of different social layers to express their ideas and share their thoughts and feelings since the very beginning of human civilization. These people also used music as a way to affect the minds and hearts of other people using strong emotional appeals that music features.
Main text
First of all, evaluating the political importance of music on the example of the history of the United States, music’s role in defining ethnic or racial communities is to be addressed. Evaluating several music genres and styles, it appears that many of them define specific ethnic and racial communities. For instance, blues initially contrived by African-American people as a means to express their pain on the reason of discrimination and racial prejudice was applied for political aims (Kubik 161). This kind of music affected the masses of the African-American population in the United States and inspired them for fighting against their hardships. The history of the formation of the African-American community is closely connected to the history of blues. This music was born as one of the most significant characteristics of the newly developed African-American culture. With the duration of time, it helped these people recognize their position in the American society, and occupy their niche in it as fully legitimate citizens of the country. Beginning from the nineteenth century and ending in the 1960s, blues went through a period of forming a particular way of thinking between African-Americans (Kubik 163). It helped them feel like well-deserving citizens of the country able to fight for their rights and freedoms. This illustration makes it evident that music is crucially important for the formation of national and ethnic values within communities. The other examples showing that music often plays an important role in defining ethnic or racial communities are soul, funk, jazz, and rap. The soul which became a “descendent” of blues continued to shape the minds of African-American people and inspire them to continue their fight for their rights as American citizens. Nowadays, such role is played by jazz, funk, and rap. These music styles developed from their predecessors of blues and soul and occupied their position in shaping the minds of African-American people and helping them be inspired for perusing their political aims as a community.
Next, discussing music as a way to support or oppose military efforts, it should be stated that its strength in this area is more than mind-blowing. There are many examples of this phenomenon in the history of the United States. For instance, during World War II, songwriters put a lot of effort into exalting American soldiers’ bravery. The results of such a strategy were considerable. From day to day, more and more soldiers kept showing incredible courage in the military campaign. This result becomes especially significant when reflecting on the situation among the soldiers at the beginning of the war. The other example of this phenomenon is hippy music popular in the 1970s when the United States actively engaged in a strange war in Vietnam. Society was against this odd war taking away the lives of thousands of young Americans for no special reason, wasting a lot of financial means for the vain pursuits, and making thousands of young American men mentally and physically invalid. Hippy music played a crucial role in inspiring the country’s population to protest against this war and stop this voracious conflict (Gilbert and Pearson 26, 93).
Further, regarding the music used for patriotic purposes, it should be stated that the period of its blossoming started in the nineteenth century which is connected to the raise of patriotic moods within the American society. The ideas of patriotism were spread both in classical and popular music during that time. For example, Stephen Foster was a famous composer during this period. He inspired the nation with exalted ideas of patriotism. Among his great works are “Maryland, My Maryland”, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “John Brown’s Body”. The other significant example of patriotic music popular in the United States for more than a century is country music. This music originally coming from Texas and Alabama, the states which are considered to be the heart of American culture, is full of exalted thoughts concerning the beauty of American land and the strength of its people’s spirit (Lewis 24, 27).
In addition, music separates or unites socio-economic classes. This phenomenon is seen in many ways. Music is addressed to its listener. In case of music has lyrics their ideas should be close to those people who will listen to it. It is noticed by the specialist in sociology that people choose the style of music they listen to depending on their position in society. People with better incomes and noble origins choose classic music or popular music of fine quality whereas people of lower classes choose rebellious or moody music such as rock and rap (Arblaster 23). An example of such a phenomenon is observed in the history of the country many times. For instance, rock and roll music became a power shaping the minds of American youth and uniting it using the ideas of joy and happiness on the reason of being a part of developed and rich American society. According to Bonta, this music had incredible results during the period of 1960s to 1980s when American youngsters were united by the ideas promoted through the performers of rock and roll music (45, 48, 51-53).
Finally, speaking about how music has affected me personally on a political basis, it is worth saying that it often inspires me with the ideas of patriotism. I have a special feeling when the hymn of the country is played. In addition, I am also inspired by the styles of the music uniting the representatives of one social layer. Such music helps me see the benefits of belonging to certain groups of people which makes me move actively as I want to achieve more to be a part of a prestigious social layer.
Conclusion
Concluding on all the above-discussed information, it should be stated that music has been known for centuries as a strong means to affect the minds and hearts of people. The way music is effective in spreading certain ideas among the people of the country is well seen in the history of the United States. Looking through the different periods of the country’s past, it is possible to see music as a powerful patriotic motivator, inspirer to be brave in military actions, or on the contrary, to stop them, motivator to be united with the members of a certain social group and so on.
Works Cited
Arblaster, Anthony. “Self-identity and National Identity in Classical Music.” Journal of Political and Military Sociology 30.2 (2002): 259+. Questia. Web.
Bonta, Steve. “Is It “Only Rock ‘N’ Roll”? Far from Being Just a Youthful Fad, Rock and Roll Music Is a Powerful Force for Subversive Cultural Social, and Political Change.” The New American. 2002: 10+. Questia. Web.
Gilbert, Jeremy, and Ewan Pearson. Discographies: Dance Music, Culture, and the Politics of Sound. London: Routledge, 1999. Questia. Web.
Kubik, Gerhard. Africa and the Blues. Jackson, MS: University Press of Mississippi, 1999. Questia. Web.
Lewis, George. All That Glitters: Country Music in America. Bowling Green, OH: Bowling Green State University Popular Press, 1993. Questia. Web.