Saturday 29 December 2018

The Written Word And Song are Ways Women Voice Their Roles As A Force Of Social Change


 Life is a series of timelines in which women and men have strived to cause an improvement and transformation of the standard of living and dignity of women and therefore that of humans. 

Literature and music have been used as vehicles through which calls for social change have been shared. Social change is a deliberate process of creating and applying ideas, strategies, and actions to promote the worth, dignity, and development of individuals, communities, organizations, institutions, cultures, and societies (class.waldenu.edu). 

My understanding of social change is when institutionalizing mechanisms allow people in society to be seen as stakeholders in community development. What stands out more for me is; participation by both women and men in development.  

Eve Ensler is a twenty-first century writer and in her book “In the body of the world” she points out the useful outcomes resulting from women empowerment . She mentions the “city of joy that follows the decision to involve women and a life force full of grace, gratitude, fierceness and readiness that replaces trauma and pain with safety, healing and a gathering of strength,” (Ensler, E. (2013). The Seneca falls declaration of 1848 is a nineteenth century document in which women spelt out “secure equal participation with men in the various trades, professions and commerce,” (Stanton, E. C., & Mott, L. (1848)).   Listening to the song “We are family” one can’t help but realize the benefits of  women empowerment. The lyrics replace  male supremacy with family. The traits of supposition of the supremacy of man, e.g., monopoly, apathy, repeated injuries and usurpations on the part of man toward woman, having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over her are addressed by showing instead how family can bring about fuller dignity and human potential when the women is allowed to assume an equal position. The two examples from literature by two women and the song “We are family” by sister Sledge use the centrality of women as a force of social change for society. 

The song uses three words which are “we are family.” It is a strong statement by female singers and the accompanying lyrics are simple to follow. As a sing along song it takes one on a descriptive path showcasing the good outcomes of working as a family. The song which is delivered in third person plural has a main theme around a family. This is also a setting providing the bedrock on which sense of worth, pride, unity, sharing, dignity, expression, contribution and happiness are rooted firmly. The lyrics are simple and are a sing along type that a listener can identify with. The three lines of the chorus: “we are a family, I got all my sisters with me, we are a family, get up everybody and sing,” attract immediate attention and listenership. The first three lines in the first verse “everyone can see we're together; as we walk on by; (FLY!) and we fly just like birds of a feather,” suggest a bold testament followed by an affirmation of togetherness and resolve when the singers say with an unapologetic taunt which is both ironic and a climax:  “I won't tell no lie; (ALL!) all of the people around us they say; can they be that close; just let me state for the record; we’re giving love in a family dose.”

 The song is a plot outlining such values like dignity, expression, contribution and happiness. It shows how easy it is for women to ensure dignity by presenting their ideas in a manner that is appealing; it is a means of expression that entertains and informs at the same time; and through the song, the singers have used music to rally many people. The lines in the second verse are motivational and go like this:  “Living life is fun and we've just begun; To get our share of the world's delights; (HIGH!) high hopes we have for the future; and our goal's in sight; (WE!) no we don't get depressed; here’s what we call our golden rule; Have faith in you and the things you do;You won't go wrong.”

          The chorus is repeated six times in the song and this emphasizes the central position of the word family. In the chorus the four lines are used by the singers to mobilize society and point them towards the ideals of a family in which the woman and man play mutually necessary roles: “we are family;I got all my sisters with me;we are family;get up everybody and sing.” The song was written by sister Sledge a group of sisters and it insists on values such as unity which is also a mainstay in the literature by Ensler, Stanton and Mott. The song continues to take the conversation on the roles of women in making a thriving community further.

            Life is a force full of grace, gratitude, safety, healing, dignity, expression, unity and happiness. These are redeeming qualities, that are emphasized in the two literature pieces and the song.  These galvanize a reader or listener to advocate for women emancipation too.


References:


Ensler, E. (2013). In the body of the world [PDF]. New York, NY: Henry Holt & Company. Retrieved from http://inthebodyoftheworld.com/pdf/EveEnsler-InTheBodyOfTheWorld-Excerpt.pdf.

Stanton, E. C., & Mott, L. (1848). Seneca Falls Declaration. Champaign, Ill: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. Retrieved on march 1st 2016.



Photo: UN Women/Bruno Demeocq


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