During the Vietnam war and Civil Rights Movement African-Americans secular musicians used music to engage the masses and call them to action. But African-Americans were not the only ones to use popular media to protest their feelings on past politics. What do you think this songs message is?
Whats Going on:Marvin Gaye http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rD78i6eoGkM
What is civic engagement to you? How can you become civically involved in your community, city or country?
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I think that the song meant for people to wake up an realizing whats going on in the world. Because it lyke they were so blind by the other music that they didnt even relize whats going on in there own world
What I belive this song means is that its a cry for a reason for what is going on in the world right now. All of the troubles the world is in has no purpouse and Marvin Gaye wants to know why this is happening. I belive civil engagement is getting involved with the public community and engaging in activities including a community. For example volutering would be a good way and community service engaging in that would be a perfect example of civic engagement.
I love music, it’s the one universal language that speaks to all people. Marvin Gay’s song “What’s Going On”, is a true American classic. Marvin Gay uses his music to refocus a generation of people. He encourages people to take a critical look at our society and the problems that were growing. We often use music to open and close ceremonies, to rejoice, worship, encourage, and even social action. I challenge you scholars to create a song or poem, that addresses some of our world’s social problems.