::HEADPHONE JUNKIE:: FREEDOM AIN'T FREE
by Dereck Rodriguez and Gypsy Soul
Independence Day is a holiday commemorating the separation of the Thirteen colonies from Britian. This independence translated into the genocide of African people and the subsequent invasive approach to foreign affairs. Freedom was never intended for the black race. It would be another 92 years before all Africans in America would be independent of chattel slavery but not the searing blade of American democracy.
We must understand, these supposed “humanitarian” principals, in which our founding fathers bestowed upon this country, propagates a distorted imagination of humanity exclusive to Europeans. This freedom and equality they speak of would never exist without the economic and global influence of slavery. While heavy footed on their pursuit of equality , their feet rang happily on our necks.
by Dereck Rodriguez and Gypsy Soul
Independence Day is a holiday commemorating the separation of the Thirteen colonies from Britian. This independence translated into the genocide of African people and the subsequent invasive approach to foreign affairs. Freedom was never intended for the black race. It would be another 92 years before all Africans in America would be independent of chattel slavery but not the searing blade of American democracy.
We must understand, these supposed “humanitarian” principals, in which our founding fathers bestowed upon this country, propagates a distorted imagination of humanity exclusive to Europeans. This freedom and equality they speak of would never exist without the economic and global influence of slavery. While heavy footed on their pursuit of equality , their feet rang happily on our necks.
In black communities
there is a myriad of shindigs, cookouts, parties, and block parties coupled
on such occasions, such as the Forth of July. Seldom do
you not hear fireworks or something of the lot glowing at night along with community activity. So why do we celebrate a freedom assigned only
for white Americans?
As a people of
love countless times in history, to maintain our humanity, we had to maintain our love for ourselves and life to combat the belief of African inferiority. On many occasions African people have repurposed what would
otherwise be reminders of enslavement. For instance, Soul Food has become a celebrated and ritualized aspect of
Black American culture despite its origin as a poor quality of food exclusive
to enslaved Africans. What would
otherwise be a symbol of dehumanization and oppression has been elevated to a
cultural staple.
The need to repurpose traumatic experiences validates the humanity of the oppressed and in turn perpetuates this humanity through the medium of love. This explains the emphasis on events centered on community such as cookouts and block parties. These activities embody the spirit of African customs and traditions. Love and communalism is the foundation of how most African communities engage reality. African culture roots itself in the need to exist in tandem with all that lives to promote balance and harmony in life.
The need to repurpose traumatic experiences validates the humanity of the oppressed and in turn perpetuates this humanity through the medium of love. This explains the emphasis on events centered on community such as cookouts and block parties. These activities embody the spirit of African customs and traditions. Love and communalism is the foundation of how most African communities engage reality. African culture roots itself in the need to exist in tandem with all that lives to promote balance and harmony in life.
This playlist arises out of the need to remember what freedom is all about. Today, as many Americans celebrate the separation from British rule, lets us not forget that even in the "Land of the Free" many Black and Brown people are not subject to those proclaimed freedoms. In 2015 the need to assert #BlackLivesMatter only speaks to the absence of freedom, justice, and equality. Yes, you can make this your Independence Day soundtrack and hopefully the music will evoke conversation, action, and ideas on how to move forward, how to effectively fight and win the freedoms people are lacking right now. Art, true art should reflect the times, so enjoy these songs as the hot summer continues on and hopefully this playlist will be the foundation for the soundtrack of this modern day revolution.
