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| | It is strongly recommended that you include your outline in the body of your essay by using the outline as section titles. The headings below are there to remind you how section and subsection titles are formatted. |
| | It is strongly recommended that you include your outline in the body of your essay by using the outline as section titles. The headings below are there to remind you how section and subsection titles are formatted. |
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> | From Nicaraguan Folk to Salsa: Music as a Tool for Resistance and Political Expression |
| | -- By ElbaGonzalez - 20 Feb 2025 |
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> | Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 Super Bowl halftime performance ignited a fierce debate, as many critics viewed his politically charged performance as a disruption of the event's traditional focus on entertainment. While the show garnered record-breaking viewership, with over 130 million tuning in, conservative commentators quickly labeled it controversial. Lamar's bold use of imagery—such as performing atop a black Buick Grand National and addressing themes of racial inequality—was seen by some as a deliberate attempt to politicize a global platform. The performance, particularly his choice to perform "Not Like Us," a song addressing both personal and societal struggles, sparked backlash from those who argued that the Super Bowl should remain apolitical. Critics claimed Lamar’s focus on issues like systemic racism and identity undermined the entertainment value of the spectacle. |
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> | It baffled me to hear these critics argue that music should be separate from politics, claiming that people wanted to enjoy something “pleasant” and “palatable.” As someone who grew up in a musical family, immersed in Nicaraguan folk music centered on indigenous resistance and the powerful rhythms of salsa that address Afro-Latino identity, poverty, and slavery, I’ve always seen music as a rhythm of resistance. |
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> | Music is not just for entertainment—it is an essential expression of the human experience and inherently political. Throughout history, music has been a tool for speaking out against oppression and injustice. |
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> | Music as Advocacy During the Nicaraguan Revolution |
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> | Growing up in a musical family, I was constantly reminded of the significance of lyrics as a powerful form of communication. My uncle, a singer-songwriter in Nicaragua, co-wrote the song
"Quincho Barrilete". The song tells the story of a poor boy who works as a street vendor to help his mother support her family. During the Nicaraguan Revolution of the 1970s, Quincho was murdered by the Somoza regime for demanding a better life. The intent behind "Quincho Barrilete" was to give a voice to the most vulnerable children who suffered throughout the war. Through music, my uncle and countless other artists made sure their stories and struggles were heard. |
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> | Indigenous Resilience in Nicaraguan Folk Music |
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> | Traditional Nicaraguan music and dance, like el toro huaco, reflect the resilience of our indigenous ancestors during the colonial era. The music of el toro huaco tells the story of indigenous people confronting Spanish colonialism. The bull in the story symbolizes the tenacity and endurance of the Nicaraguan indigenous people, who, despite centuries of colonial oppression, continue to exist and share their culture through music. This form of artistic expression has long served as a reminder of the strength and persistence of indigenous communities. |
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> | Salsa Music: Empowerment and Pride |
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> | Salsa, often associated with joyous, high-energy rhythms, also carries deep political and social meaning. These artists used their music not only to entertain but to address racial and socio-political struggles, empowering marginalized communities, especially Afro-Latinos. |
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> | Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa, is one of the most iconic figures in this movement. As an Afro-Latina woman from Cuba, her music transcended entertainment, becoming a powerful symbol of pride and resistance for Black people in Latin America and beyond. In songs like "Azúcar Negra", Cruz proudly celebrates her Afro-Latina identity, directly confronting the racial divides that persist in Latin American societies. In “La Vida Es Un Carnaval”, she sends a message of resilience, telling listeners that life is a carnival despite hardships, encouraging them to rise above adversity with joy and strength. Cruz’s music became a form of resistance in itself—a way to affirm Black Latinidad and challenge the discrimination that Afro-Latinos often face in Latin American communities. |
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> | Joe Arroyo, a Colombian salsa legend, brought Afro-Colombian identity into the global conversation with his music. In “La Rebelión”, Arroyo recounts the historical moment of a slave revolt in Colombia, capturing the powerful story of resistance against oppression. The song blends African rhythms with Latin influences, creating a sound that represents the Afro-Colombian experience. Arroyo’s music continues to inspire generations to recognize and reclaim their cultural heritage. His ability to merge storytelling with music to resist historical erasure made his work influential not only in Colombia but throughout Latin America. |
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> | These artists—Celia Cruz and Joe Arroyo—demonstrated that salsa was not just a genre of music, but a movement. They used their voices to tell the stories of marginalized people, resist colonial and racial oppression, and reclaim pride in their heritage. Their music served as a reflection of the struggle for justice, an anthem of empowerment that continues to resonate today. |
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> | Music as Political Expression: From the Past to the Present |
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> | In conclusion, music has always been more than just entertainment; it’s an essential expression of the human experience and a powerful tool for resistance and political change. From the folk traditions of Nicaragua, where music echoed the resilience of indigenous communities, to the cultural pride in salsa, and the politically charged performances of artists like Kendrick Lamar, music has consistently conveyed political and social messages. |
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> | As illustrated by my family’s experience with Nicaraguan folk music during the Revolution, music serves as a voice for the oppressed. This tradition is carried on by artists like Celia Cruz, Joe Arroyo, and Kendrick Lamar, whose work transcends cultural boundaries to amplify the struggles of marginalized groups. Through rhythm, lyrics, and performance, music remains a vital force for social justice, inspiring and empowering communities worldwide. Whether through Nicaraguan folk, salsa, or hip-hop, music will always be a powerful tool for political expression and civil disobedience. |
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