blog post 2

When I first came across the song "Only Pawn In Their Game" by Bob Dylan, I didn't know what to think. When I read the lyrics I had my own interpretation of the words. I thought that he was defending the white people down in Mississippi. But when I heard Dylan sing it I changed my mind instantly. The way he sings the song you can tell that he didn't support the issues at all. I think the way that he sang the song, the lyrics just mean a whole different thing. He is explaining all the cruel acts that are being done in the south, he is also explaining the reason why they are being done. He was talking about the current events that were going on in that era. For example he brought up the issue with Medgar Evers. He was a man who was a civil rights activist who was murdered and his killer was never convicted. Dylan made it completely clear in the song that an innocent man was killed due to his color and voice. But what had me confused in the beginning was the line he repeats throughout every verse. He sings "their only a pawn in their game" This was not clear to me at first. After I heard the song it made so much sense. These people are responsible for the injustice, but they are programmed to do these inhumane acts. They don't know any better. But after the song continues the way he sings the songs its almost like he knows that they are doing these acts because they want us to believe that they cant control it. Its like Dylan caught on to their act. All these things are included in the same song, being that he wrote this and its so personal as if he lived there. He was from New York. The way the words are put together almost seems personal. What I would like to know is what was the initial reaction of the people. This song is extremely controversial. I have seen some live performances of Dylan performing this song and it was completely quiet in the crowd, its almost like each person is imagining the scenario that Dylan is painting with his words. That is kind of amazing. He is painting a picture with his voice. I have read the interview of Bernice Johnson Reagon. She was basically speaking about her insight with the whole civil rights situation. She was a singer and even though what she was saying is different from Dylan I feel that they are very common in a broader sense. She felt that people can change as long as they program themselves to do so. Dylan was talking about the events that were happening, while Reagon was at those events. She was part of SNCC and she was very active in her community. They are both artists, they are both singers, and they both want change. They want equality and they felt the best way to get your point across is by exposing the truth no matter how hurtful it may be. They want to expose the government in what is going on but in song and activities. She did marches and sit-ins while Dylan went to these marches and rallies and performed. In a way they helped each other. More research will bring more details. 

"Thinking about work"

I have a real close relationship with the arts. The arts have made me feel like I have some kind of freedom, even though I haven't perfected my "niche" as many have acclaimed I feel like Im getting there. Art is a way that people can express their inner most darkest secrets. Art can tell stories, solve crimes, even save lives. Sounds a little dramatic? well I can honestly say that if their is any type of expression in mankind I completely respect someone's vision. Politics on the other hand, I personally don't get involved. I find it very conniving and evil from experience. I have family who is in that field and being surrounded by that throughout my childhood I have realized now as an adult I want no part in it. But protest is something that I desperately want to be involved with. I feel like if a large amount of people feel passionate and strong about an issue, get together and not take no for an answer is completely beautiful. Standing up for your beliefs is something that we should all be part of. I personally love music and visual arts. As being a Fine arts major I want to drift off into the fashion world and make my mark there. Music to me is a cry for attention (in a good way) A singer can sing a song about being broken hearted, and if that singer puts enough emotion its like you can almost feel that broken heart. Thats a true artist, someone who can take you into their element. I haven't done any protests, but a few years ago I volunteered as a kid for the Dominican Republic Relief when they had the big hurricane. We collected food, clothing, medications, etc. That was a big awakening. I feel like the world is a seed. If we take care of it, give it what it needs, it can grow the way its meant to be. A song, a voice, a photo, even a paragraph can alter the way people see things. I would like to be more educated in where we came from. Not only civil rights, but things that many Americans went through to get to where we are today. People say that this country, even world is a bad place. But aren't we a million steps higher than before. Now more people are able to do things that was frowned upon before. I am eager to be informed. So hopefully with this class my eyes will be opened.