Assignment: Sociology in Practice (SIP)
Instructions for SIP:
• Watch this film about the Billie Holiday song entitled Strange Fruit.
Write full paragraph for each question asked. At minimum, write lengthy sentences in response to each question asked. It is okay to write more .
a) Also, note that some questions have more than one question asked (see number 1). Be sure to answer everything asked. .
b) It helps to discuss what you see in the film in your answers. .
Task
Music plays a big part in culture and social movements. Billie Holiday's recording of "Strange Fruit," a song about lynching, raised awareness about racism despite being banned from the radio after its 1939 release.
A. How do the lyrics to this song convey the depths of racism? Why do you think this song was banned from the radio?
B. How can a song promote social awareness and social change?
C. Can you think of other songs that motivated social movements or helped create social change?
D. What other forms of popular culture have spurred on social movements?