Introduction: Description of the Selected Work
Songs reflect the cultural values and ideals of the cultural groups at the time of their conception as much as any other works of art. The selected music piece written by Abel Meerpool and sung by Billie Holiday is called “Strange Fruit” (O’Dell, 2002). This song describes a vivid image of a hanged Black person. The author does not leave any details out of the picture, intending to highlight the gruesome nature of racial persecution (O’Dell, 2002).
Time Period of the Work
The period and the suffering ingrained in the culture the song belongs to are apparent in the lyrics of “Strange Fruit.” The song comes from the 1930s and reflects the racial hatred that permeated American society. It was inspired by several lynching incidents where violent mobs attacked Black people and hanged them (Pilgrim, 2008). The only positive side of these crimes was the mass awakening among the U.S. population to the degree of this problem.
Cultural Context and Significance
The song puts the entire generation’s misery and loss into plain words, allowing people to connect in mourning through the melody that comes from their origins and reflects their pain (Pilgrim, 2008). This piece of music is emotionally charged, yet without anger, as its goal is to unite those subjected to racism daily. Thus, “Strange Fruit” delivers the lamentations of the entire generation of African Americans through its explicit descriptions of hanged Black individuals, exposing the tragedies and injustices in the South.
Addressing Societal Issues Through Cultural Expression
The questions regarding human culture that the selected work exposed can be explored through five Ws and How. To answer when and where these horrible crimes occurred, one must comprehend that the United States in the early 1930s was in a state of disarray. This period was linked to the economic crisis that left a significant portion of the population depressive (Goenawan, 2021). This resulted in a rise in hostilities between various parts of society, who sought a victim to blame.
The “who” part of this analysis refers to the Black population in the U.S., as their experiences are put into this song. To answer the “what” question, O’Dell (2002) writes that “jazz, with its mix of blues and ragtime,” was among the most popular genres in this culture (p. 2). Using this genre to instill a sense of belongingness among the target audience is crucial.
The “why” question requires one to perceive the racial disparities of that period. Segregation and unemployment were decimating the Black population of Americans in the South (Goenawan, 2021). Finally, to see how it happened, a listener must realize that empathy toward these communities was lacking, as many were unaware of this social issue.
Big questions that influenced the work can help comprehend the controversy around “Strange Fruit.” Utterly shocked by the depiction of lynched men, the author wanted to expose the outcomes of ignoring the struggles of African Americans (Pilgrim, 2008). Meerpool wanted to know how he could change the public’s attitude toward crimes stemming from racial hatred through his music. Furthermore, the composer strived to understand whether it was an appropriate time to release such a controversial piece. Judging by the track’s popularity, these inspirations played a crucial role in its success.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the song “Strange Fruit” comes from an era that was filled with racial hatred and portrays a brutal image of a Black person lynched by Southerners. The writer’s exposure to the photos of hanged African Americans led to his desire to reveal these horrible incidents to the public through music. This period was harsh for many Americans, as racially motivated crimes permeated society that was hit by the economic crisis. Violent mobs persecuted the Black communities across the United States. “Strange Fruit,” among other jazz and blues songs from the middle of the twentieth century, reveals these events with honest brutality. This work’s questions direct the audience toward exploring the consequences of tragedies stemming from racial hatred.
References
Goenawan, M. (2021). Strange fruit. Journal of Transnational American Studies, 12(1). Web.
O’Dell, C. (2002). “Strange Fruit”—Billie Holiday (1939). The National Registry. Web.
Pilgrim, D. (2008). “Strange Fruit” – 2008 – Question of the month. Jim Crow Museum. Web.