#EndApartheid

[adenlicpng]

what are you waiting for?

[freedomsounds]

The Resonance of Liberation: Music's Role in the Palestinian Struggle for Justice

by Melvin Earl Villaver, Jr., Ph.D. and William Vela, Ed.D.

In the face of widespread silence regarding the genocide of the Palestinian people, music and musicians resonate as the heartbeat of the movement, advocating for the end of settler colonialism, apartheid, land occupation, and calling for peace, justice, and a ceasefire from the Israeli nation-state. Music has long been a powerful tool for activism, conveying messages of resistance, unity, and hope. Within the Palestinian liberation movement, music plays a crucial role in raising awareness, fostering solidarity, and providing a cultural and emotional lens through which to understand the Palestinian experience, ultimately inspiring action. This essay explores the connection between music and the pro-Palestinian protest, highlighting significant contributions from various artists and the intersection of cultural and political movements that shape this narrative.

The tragic events of October 7, 2023, as depicted in Al Jazeera's “October 7” documentary, showcase the brutalities faced by both Israelis and Palestinians. The chaos and violence of that day underscore the dire need for voices advocating for peace and justice, and music serves as one of the most potent mediums for this advocacy. However, this war has been ongoing for seventy-six years, beginning with the first Nakba in 1948. Despite some of the recent music emerging after October 7th, a significant amount of it was created long before, as evidenced by the song "Freedom for Palestine" released in 2011 by OneWorld (OneWorld). This historical context enriches the narrative of musical activism, illustrating how artists have long used their platforms to advocate for Palestinian rights and resist oppression.

DJ CAPTBLY's playlist, "A Day Will Come: Free Palestine! From LA to Gaza, with love '24 ALLY Mix," exemplifies the transnational nature of musical activism. Featuring artists from around the world, this playlist underscores the urgency to end the genocide and occupation of Palestinian land. The diversity of genres within the playlist—from Hip Hop to folk—demonstrates music's ability to transcend boundaries and serve as a liberatory tool. The construction of playlists as a form of praxis and resistance is an age-old tradition, deeply rooted in the history of global Black musical genres, from the jazz music of Miriam Makeba and other artists of the South African anti-apartheid movement to the calls for resistance to police brutality in the American nation-state over the last 50 years of Hip Hop. Mixtapes, curated and passed from hand to hand, have always been a way for people to communicate, share their struggles, and unite in resistance. DJ CAPTBLY’s playlist aligns with this tradition, serving not only as a collection of songs, but as a powerful statement of solidarity and a call to action (DJ CAPTBLY).

The global music industry, particularly in the U.S., has often been silent on issues related to Palestine. However, artists from the Arab Hip Hop/Rap community have been vocal both before and after October 7th, addressing themes of resistance and solidarity. Grammy Award-winning MC Macklemore brought significant attention with his recent song "Hinds Hall," released on May 7, 2024, which garnered 35 million views on YouTube, a ranking of number seven on the US Digital Song Sales (Billboard) and a ranking of number three on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales (Billboard). Yet, this focus risks overshadowing the ongoing efforts of artists like LowKey, GENOCIDE, Omar Esa, and Abe Batshon, who have long been creating powerful music about these issues (Macklemore; LowKey).

There is a growing call for mainstream artists to leverage their influence in advocating for the Palestinian cause, emphasizing the power of collaboration and visibility. Just as Beyoncé highlighted lesser-known Black country artists through her recent album "Cowboy Carter," mainstream artists like Macklemore are encouraged to partner with consistently vocal artists to amplify messages of resistance and solidarity. This collaborative approach can significantly enhance awareness and impact, drawing attention to the injustices faced by Palestinians. Additionally, prominent individuals across various sectors—such as high-ranking government officials, politicians, professors, doctors, and lawyers—are urged to use their platforms to raise awareness about these issues.

Eddy Mack's album “The Art of War,” released on February 23, 2024, donates its social media revenue to the Palestinian cause, exemplifying a creative and impactful way to support the movement. Notably, a major Chicago hip-hop studio with connections to Chance the Rapper and Juice WRLD produced the collaborative album. By spanning various genres, Mack's project highlights the longstanding history and current struggles of Palestinians, demonstrating how art can be a powerful tool for advocacy and change (Eddy Mack).

The lyrics from Eddy Mack's song "My People," featuring Jazlynn Q, poignantly capture the dire situation in Gaza and the resilience of the Palestinian people:

"Entire family wiped out 

Babies getting burnt down 

Gaza turned to nothing, but we tell them we don't back down 

Hospitals, homes, and babies being burned down

We ask for freedom 

For our people 

Freedom 

For our people"

These lyrics, along with the broader efforts of artists and influential figures, illustrate how powerful messages of resistance and solidarity can be conveyed through music and other forms of creative expression.

Notably, most pro-Palestinian music has been produced by male artists, with few contributions from women and other marginalized perspectives. Desiree Dawson's song "A Day Will Come," released on November 23, 2023, stands out as one of the first from an American queer woman artist (Dawson). Highlighting these voices is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the movement and its diverse support base. Music has always been a powerful medium for resistance and liberation, offering a space for freedom, dreaming, and envisioning a just future. This spirit of dreaming and resistance is why DJ CAPTBLY named their playlist "A Day Will Come: Free Palestine! From LA to Gaza, with Love '24 ALLY Mix." By curating a diverse array of artists and genres, DJ CAPTBLY's playlist embodies the collective yearning for justice and freedom through the universal language of music.

The revolutionary nature of Black music has historically embodied messages of freedom and resistance, serving as a powerful tool for cross-racial coalition building and solidarity. The American drum set, for example, was inspired by Black American drummers incorporating elements from Chinese opera heard on opera boats along the Mississippi River (Hartigan). Contemporary collaborations, such as those between Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, reflect the roots of radical Afro-Asian partnerships. Musical superstar H.E.R., vocal about her identity as a Black American and Filipino woman, embedded this politic in her dedication to the George Floyd uprisings of 2020 with her Grammy Award-winning song "I Can’t Breathe" (H.E.R.). This legacy of coalition building is deeply rooted in the tradition of the 1955 Bandung Conference, which aimed at decolonization and solidarity between African and Asian states.

Global conflicts and diasporic struggles reveal interconnected narratives of oppression, resistance, and political turmoil. Alex Lubin's "Geographies of Liberation" explores how African American diasporic imagination has been influenced by Jewish diasporic politics and Zionism, drawing historical parallels between the experiences of African Americans and Palestinians (Lubin 47). This shared struggle highlights the interconnectedness of various oppressed communities, including Black, Brown, and Indigenous people in the U.S. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has intensified, affecting civilians and involving regional players. Similarly, the war in Yemen has caused a severe humanitarian crisis. The Sudan internal conflict, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, stems from the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, leading to a prolonged and complex war involving multiple regional actors. These present-day conflicts underscore the global nature of oppression and the need for international solidarity in addressing such crises. Music, as both a historical and contemporary tool, has played a crucial role in raising awareness and fostering solidarity around these issues, amplifying voices and uniting communities in the fight for justice.

Despite this powerful legacy, the silence from the music industry and higher education institutions regarding Palestinian issues prompts critical reflection. This silence reflects broader geopolitical agendas and investments that stifle essential conversations. Critiquing this silence can encourage more artists and academics to engage with these topics, fostering a more inclusive and active dialogue. In the face of widespread silence, it is evident that music serves not only as a tool for awareness and solidarity but also as a powerful call to action in the pursuit of justice and liberation. Macklemore's lyrics in "Hind's Hall" poignantly capture this sentiment:

"Undecided 

You can't twist the truth, the people out here united 

Never be defeated when freedom's on the horizon 

Yet the music industry's quiet, complicit in their platform of silence (hey, woo) 

What happened to the artist? What d'you got to say? 

If I was on a label, you could drop me today."

These lyrics underscore the complicity of silence and the urgent need for artists to use their platforms to advocate for truth and justice.

Music has always been a powerful tool for activism, and its role in the Palestinian liberation movement is no exception. From DJ CAPTBLY's playlist to the contributions of artists like Low-Key and Desiree Dawson, music fosters solidarity and raises awareness about the ongoing struggles of Palestinians. We must embrace a human-centered praxis that strives for the liberation of all oppressed people worldwide, highlighting the shared experiences of displacement and marginalization. These overlapping diasporas remind us of our interconnectedness. As we continue to support the Palestinian cause, let us remember the power of music as a tool for liberation and a call to action for continued solidarity and activism. Together, through the universal language of music, we can envision a hopeful future and work towards a world where justice and peace prevail.

Stream DJ CAPTBLY's playlist, "A Day Will Come: Free Palestine! From LA to Gaza, with love '24 ALLY Mix," here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5NKrgYsDBKXkP3CzLCxUic?si=c71c1ca8f24d4507

Works Cited

Billboard. "US Digital Song Sales." Billboard, 28 May 2023, www.billboard.com/charts/digital-song-sales.

Billboard. "US R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales." Billboard, 28 May 2024, www.billboard.com/charts/r-and-b-hip-hop-digital-song-sales.

DJ CAPTBLY. "A Day Will Come: Free Palestine! From LA to Gaza, with love '24 ALLY Mix." Spotify, https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5NKrgYsDBKXkP3CzLCxUic?si=c71c1ca8f24d4507. Accessed 28 May 2024.

Dawson, Desirée. “A Day Will Come.” Bandcamp, 28 Mar. 2024, https://desiree-dawson.bandcamp.com/track/a-day-will-come. Accessed 28 May 2024.

Eddy Mack, featuring Jazlynn Q. "My People." Art of the War, 2024.

Hartigan, Royal. "The American Drum Set: Black Musicians and Chinese Opera along the Mississippi River." Essay in Ho, Fred Wei-han, and Bill Mullen, Afro Asia: Revolutionary Political and Cultural Connections Between African Americans and Asian Americans. Durham: Duke University Press, 2008. Print.

H.E.R. "I Can't Breathe." I Can't Breathe, RCA Records, 19 June 2020.

LowKey. "Obama Nation." Soundtrack to the Struggle, 2011.

Lubin, Alex. Geographies of Liberation: The Making of an Afro-Arab Political Imaginary. 1st ed., The University of North Carolina Press, 2014.

Macklemore. "Hind's Hall." Hind's Hall, Bendo, 6 May 2024.

OneWorld. "Freedom for Palestine." Freedom for Palestine, 3 July 2011.

[sajzath]

Treasure of Palestine: The Cultural Legacy of Al-Aqsa

Welcome, dear readers, to a journey of discovery into the cultural treasure of Palestine – Al-Aqsa Mosque. This sacred site holds immense historical and spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide. In this article, we will delve into the rich heritage and captivating legacy of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Prepare to be amazed by its architectural marvels, historical events, and cultural impact that has…

[raneen19]

Give me your attention please

Hello, I am Raneen Ahmed, a Palestinian, writing to you from Germany, far away from the place and people I love most of all. My beautiful family in Gaza are still trapped in the midst of war and unimaginable hardship. I am launching this campaign to save their lives and give them a chance at safety and peace.

For the past seven months, my family has lived a nightmare. Our home in Khan Younis was destroyed in the conflict, forcing them to flee with nothing but the clothes on their backs. They moved from Khan Younis to Rafah, and are now in Al Mawasi, living in a makeshift tent, exposed to the elements, without security or comfort.

Donate here

Continued displacement, rising living costs, and lack of money or job opportunities have left them in desperate conditions. They struggle daily to afford basic necessities such as food, water, and medicine. The horrors they have faced cannot be described in words – they have lost their home, their sense of security, and their dreams. Every day is a battle for survival, and it is unlikely that I will know that they are living this while I am so far away.

Like any family, we dream of a life where we can simply be together, where my brothers can go to school without fear, where my parents can sleep without the sound of bombs and gunfire in the background. I want to bring them to safety, to Egypt, where they can start rebuilding their lives. But I cannot do it alone.

The cost of travel is astronomical, and we have lost everything. That is why I am reaching out to you – to join me in this urgent appeal to save my family. Your support can help cover the cost of their escape from Gaza, and give them a chance at shelter, food and a future.

There are seven of them – my parents, my younger brothers, my older brother Ahmed, his wife Souad and his daughter. Despite everything, they continue to hold on to hope, as I do. Please show your support and help me bring my family to safety. Any amount you can donate will make a difference and bring us one step closer to reuniting them and saving their lives.

DONATE HERE

https://gofund.me/1000eae3

This is more than just a plea, it is a plea to humanity. Please help me get my family out of Gaza.

#FreePalestine #Palestine #StandWithPalestine #PalestinianRights #EndTheOccupation #Gaza #WestBank #PalestinianStruggle #JusticeForPalestine #SupportPalestine #SavePalestine #PalestinianResistance #PalestineWillBeFree #PalestinianSolidarity #OccupationEnds #PalestinianVoices #PalestinianLivesMatter #FreeGaza #EndApartheid #PalestineInMyHeart

[walserr]

Every moment that passes could be your chance to change someone else's life. Don't let the opportunity slip by; donate today and be the reason for a new hope

Donate here

https://gofund.me/3d83a932

I dream of waking up one day to find that everything we've been through was just a difficult nightmare. I have lost the pillars of my home (my wife) and my only adornment (my daughter),

I need your support to achieve our goal in this campaign. Remember that everything is in God's hands, and that a small, continuous donation is better than a large, one-time contribution. Let’s all work together to achieve this noble goal

Donate here

#FreePalestine #Palestine #StandWithPalestine #PalestinianRights #EndTheOccupation #Gaza #WestBank #PalestinianStruggle #JusticeForPalestine #SupportPalestine #SavePalestine #PalestinianResistance #PalestineWillBeFree #PalestinianSolidarity #OccupationEnds #PalestinianVoices #PalestinianLivesMatter #FreeGaza #EndApartheid #PalestineInMyHeart

[nando161mando]

The arms industry have been invited to Holyrood tomorrow, some folks are going along from 5pm (poster says 6) to tell that they are not welcome.

Edinburgh Demo Wednesday 21st February 6pm - Scottish Parliament. Stop Arming Israel. Made in Scotland – dropped on Gaza. #GazaHolocaust #CeasefireNow #EndOccupation #EndApartheid

@antifainternational @anarchistmemecollective @left-reminders @radicalgraff @kropotkindersurprise @scottishwobbly

[0verseer-o9]

BAD NEWS FOR HAMAS!!

Thanks to a list called “a calendar” we were able to find the names of several terrorists. Their names were Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE!!

[erismourn]

(censoring terms so they don't show up in searches + limiting reblogs as well bc I simply don't want ppl to reblog it as it's a very much Non Authoritative or Scholarly thought of mine that I don't want people to take as fact bc they saw it on the internet)

seen someone (who is an ex z*onist Jewish psn) talk about how z*onism is functionally a cult and like. Shit dude. Yeah. There are a lot of Chr*stian cults that form under the pretense that their religion is under threat (this is of course not to say that J*daism isn't under threat or imply that in any way, Becuase antisemitism is very much real) + the way z*onism functions is at the very a scholar. It's just something worth thinking about, I think. As like a possible part of an explanation of why z*onists are Like that. You are not immune to propaganda and definitely not to cult techniques of playing on your most profound desire for safety for your community to turn you into an instrument of violence against other people.

I invite engagement on this thought from followers and stuff but please for the love of God be normal. Please

[xehcainam]

#freepalestine #endapartheid #endzionism

like to charge reblog to cast

[thehalalgirlofficial]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @thehalalgirl

from the river to the sea #palestinewillbefree 🇵🇸 🇵🇸 🇵🇸 #palestine #freepalestine #savesilwan #savesheikhjarrah #freepalestine🇵🇸 #savesheikhjarrah🇵🇸 #🇵🇸 #🇵🇸فلسطين #palestinewillbefree🇵🇸 #palestina #endapartheid (at Badlands National Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ9PygRjz2T/?utm_medium=tumblr

[mrjlogic]

I remember this day, I stayed home to watch it on TV as a kid. Nelson Mandela later served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the country's first black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid by tackling institutionalised racism and fostering racial reconciliation. Ideologically an African nationalist and socialist, he served as the president of the African National Congress (ANC) party from 1991 to 1997. The Regan administration labeled him a terrorist all because he wanted black people to be free IN AFRICA!! Their own damn country! The Trump administration was a modern day apartheid. We fought against him and WON! Lets keep fighting to make sure he and the Q Cucks Klan members that follow him will never have a say in what happens in this country ever again!! #LoveOverHate #NelsonMandela #endracism #blacklivesmatter #blackexcellence #blm #apartheid #endapartheid #southafrica #africa #mandela #Madiba #legend #revolution #revolutionary #bhm #blackhistory #blackhistorymonth #blackpower #rainbowcoalition #leadership #leader #socialism #rolemodel #father #president #blacklove #blackpanther #wakandaforever #zamunda https://www.instagram.com/p/CLLU_vTrLFj/?igshid=10h6jjmb5fdq9

[bowlinggwithmargo]

Hey this post features some slight misinformation. Please check out this tiktok about Reem, the girl you see above, and her grandfather. He was the one who did her hair how she liked and was quoted as saying she was "the soul of my soul" and that she looked like she was sleeping so he kept trying to wake her. He also kept her earring to remember her by. Her brother was also killed alongside her in an airstrike.

There's also this video where you can watch videos/photos of Reem from when she was alive.

Please remember Reem for who she was in life and hold onto her memory in the wake of her death. Let us all do what we can for Palestine so this horrific tragedy isn't repeated.

[walserr]

Listen and think, this is how our lives have become. We were 7 and now we are 5 with nothing.

There was a house, but the columns are gone and the walls are leaning.

#FreePalestine #Palestine #StandWithPalestine #PalestinianRights #EndTheOccupation #Gaza #WestBank #PalestinianStruggle #JusticeForPalestine #SupportPalestine #SavePalestine #PalestinianResistance #PalestineWillBeFree #PalestinianSolidarity #OccupationEnds #PalestinianVoices #PalestinianLivesMatter #FreeGaza #EndApartheid #PalestineInMyHeart

[iraqish]

And still.... #FreePalestine #sheikhjarrah #🇵🇸 #EndApartheid (at حي الشيخ جرّاح) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRXYs76BaV0/?utm_medium=tumblr

[whitterbooksie]

❤️🖤🤍💚 Social media is the only way Palestinians have to make their voices and struggles heard, and while we've been doing our best to share as much to our stories as we can, it doesn't feel like enough. We want to do more. #bookstagram is a community that always rallies around causes, so we hope you'll rally around #StackForPalestine 🇵🇸 ❤️🖤🤍💚 For every stack with the colours of the Palestinian flag (red, black, white, green) that's posted using the hashtags #StackForPalestine and #SaveSheikhJarrah @onthesamepagewithcats will be donating €10 to @muslimhandsuk towards their Jerusalem zakat fund up to €500. This fund provides "essentials such as food and medicine. 1,700 families in dire need, including widows, orphans and the disabled, rely on this Zakat to meet their needs each month." ❤️🖤🤍💚 In addition, @gentlemoonpages and @onlyfoxtales will be donating $1 for every stack using their #foxmoonstack tag to the International Medical Corp Gaza, up to $120 until 30th May. ❤️🖤🤍💚 Thank you so much @chaptersincandice for the tag, I’ve tagged a couple more people who might want to give this one a go ❤️🖤🤍💚 And most importantly, call what's happening what it is. Occupation. Oppression. Injustice. Apartheid. Murder. ❤️🖤🤍💚 #savepalestine #endapartheid #injustice #murder #bestlifebooklife #stackforacause (at Palestine Solidarity Campaign UK) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPRKY1HLx9y/?utm_medium=tumblr