RACISM. IMMIGRATION. GUN VIOLENCE. DISCRIMINATION. DEPRESSION. HOMELESSNESS. WAR. POVERTY. DRUG ABUSE.
These are some of the issues that occur everyday in our world. Music students began investigating and researching artists who advocate for those who deal injustice in our world. Viewing music through the lens of human rights creates an impact to fighting for social justice for all!
The students began by choosing some of their favorite artists who advocated for any sort of injustice going on. An example of this can be Mac de Marco, Lil Durk, Lady Gaga, Roger Daltrey, and Michael Jackson. These artists create songs to shine light on an issue happening not only in our country, but everywhere in the world. Looking at this through the social justice lens, we used their music as a way to speak even louder to create a loud protest against these problems.
For example, Lady Gaga created a pathway for understanding and helping others. Be There Certificate, a free online mental health course developed through her Born This Way Foundation works in partnership with the Canadian charity Jack.org.
Students are also digging deeper into their own stories to discover how social justice has impacted their own lives and the lives of their classmates. They also are learning about members of their community who have started projects and organizations to help others.
Lanny Cordova is a local guitarist who started a foundation to help refugees from Afghanistan. It’s called the Miraculous Love Kids. He teaches refugee girls to play guitar and sing. Gilbert students reached out to Lanny and he responded with news and updates about the girls he is working with.
The students in Ms. Frese’s Music Appreciation Class will be presenting their “Music for a Cause” projects next month and showing how these are an important part of the Gilbert Story.
