#wyvchat - CrowdChat

Music and Activism

Do artists have a social obligation to be political activists with their platform?

#wyvchat @wearyourvoice @blackgirlyoga @laureldickman

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#wyvchatSlut Shaming/RespectabilityWear Your Voice invites you to discuss the politics of respectability and slut shaming.

#wyvchatMedia and #MoreThanMom#MoreThanMom, highlights familial diversity- let's chat about representation of "family" in media

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Laurel Dickman1

Thank you for participating, everyone! Next week will be themed around mothers, families, loss, memories, and conflict. Mother's Day is tricky and isn't the bouquet of flowers that Hallmark makes it out to be. Can't wait to see next Tuesday! #wyvchat

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Laurel Dickman15

Q4 How can art open up opportunity for conversation? #wyvchat

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kendrick was a great example with To Pimp a Butterfly--using his art to highlight issues within the Black Community

Antwan LaMar Herron

It can reveal a common ground or feelings between people.

Art sometimes IS the conversation, but I think it's an easy introduction to a topic.

well people feel more comfortable to express a lot more through art. What may be hard to say in words art is there like a magical portal to pick up.

then, there's people like Taylor Swift who just need to stop. Her message is disingenuous even if coming from an honestly meaningful space.

It can give form to feelings people might have been having individually but didn't realize might be common experiences to bond and organize around.

Sometimes the topic is too hard to talk about and have a conversation around... so if a musician writes a song about it, it becomes palpable in a different way. It soaks in. It can be nuanced or direct, but still work similarly.

It's an easy introduction, there's so much art in every form it's easy to find mutual interests with friends and new acquaintances which can lead to you discovering new artists by recommendations.

yes!

Elizabeth Garcia

@blackgirlyoga What is Taylor Swift's message? Lol

(for the record, listing Taylor Swift was totally tongue in cheek)

@elly_zen oh, you know the whole feminism angle, and yet she talks about her #squad *aka the mean girls in high school you didn't wanna fuck with* and makes music videos in Africa with no POC #WYVCHAT

@elly_zen but I'm sure she does generously want to promote female empowerment, she's just a white woman who doesn't totally get it.

Elizabeth Garcia

It can help people feel seen, and that is powerful. Connection is ultimately what we all want - to feel seen and understood to some degree. Getting personal experience out there is the way to have others relate and get the convos started.

As much as I hate on her, little white girls looking for their Barbie musician Taylor Swift, any message to be a feminist is good for a kid to hear. It's a parents duty to explain further and differentiate.

nicole gervacio

@monicaLynn i feel you on Taylor Swift...i cannot stand listening to her, but while i am not a fan, i know there are thousands of young girls/young women who feel her music. it may help them with what they're going through...

Antwan LaMar Herron

#Lemonade is a perfect example of how art can trigger a range of feelings and generate a lot of questions.

Laurel Dickman10

Q3 Is all art for everyone? #wyvchat

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@wearyourvoice I think people, even if it's not for them can identify with all art. However, the artist may not have made it for everyone. Like #Lemonade

@wearyourvoice Q1 My friend Amber summed it up really well. "I can make a present for my mom, and it's for her. You can think it's pretty, but it's not yours."

I think artists definitely have a specific audience in mind when they create. Whoever they think needs whatever message they're trying to send.

@suma_jane_dark, How do you do it when you make art for a specific group?

@gaymousband, how do you do it?

Antwan LaMar Herron

Art is either a learning curb or an acquired taste.

An artist may have a specific audience in mind but all can appreciate it if they are prepared to adapt and open their mind to it. Not everyone is though!

Me specifically? I just would never think or care about how anyone, other than the people I create for, receives the meaning of my work, or even if they engage with it at all. I don't aim to make it accessible to them, if that makes sense?

That does make sense.

nicole gervacio

art is not necessarily for everyone - but anyone is allowed to look, read, listen, experience art. if the viewer/audience receives the art with openness, they have the opportunity to understand or learn something new...

Antwan LaMar Herron

It's like trying a new beer LOL

Antwan LaMar Herron

Or some other alcoholic concoction.

nicole gervacio

art is open to interpretation. even if art is made for specific people/community or made to share a specific point or story, the artist does not have control over the viewer or audience...

Elizabeth Garcia

I think art can be seen by any one, but it may not be understood by everyone, nor will it's original intent be received by everyone. People get what they get from it, and art has the capacity to introduce you to new things.

nicole gervacio

...a person will always have their own interpretations/associations based on their life + experiences. some art resonates with you + some will not. even if you do not connect with a piece, humans are capable of understanding why others do.

Laurel Dickman9

Lastly, Q5 Are artists obligated to use their platform to be agents of change? #wyvchat

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No, especially if you're already a marginalized POC. #WYVCHAT

although I do feel with a high level of power and visibility, there should be some good done with it. Especially to support the millions of people who support you in some way.

Antwan LaMar Herron

It depends on how we define what it means to be an "agent of change."

@AntwanLHerron can you elaborate on that? #WYVCHAT

Antwan LaMar Herron

I do believe artists should take positions on important social, political, and economic issues.

They shouldn't be obligated to do so. But they can use their platform to help encourage and inspire. Their voices can help raise much needed awareness about a variety of issues but they shouldn't be obligated

@AntwanLHerron define "on"

nicole gervacio

i think it just depends on the artist/individual. for some people being an activist and using one's position as a platform for creating change is a natural drive or motivation.

jk jk <3

Antwan LaMar Herron

By "agents of change," do we mean preach to their audience? Be perfect, infallible role models?

I think they're obligated to use their platform in a way that doesn't further agendas that harm marginalized people.

Elizabeth Garcia

I also don't think it is an obligation, but I would hope that artists realize the level of reach they can potentially have with their art. Art is personal and your work starts to develop once you see what you've started representing.

Do you feel like the larger the crowd base/fame, the more responsibility they have?

Antwan LaMar Herron

For example, J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar's criticism of police brutality and state violence against black bodies.

Antwan LaMar Herron

I think artists are responsible whether they choose to be or not. All art, ultimately, is social.

nicole gervacio

...art is different when one is motivated by money or when one is following what has already proved to be successful. when an artist's drive is purely to create and to speak their truth - it naturally inspires culture shifts.

Antwan LaMar Herron

I think the fact that some levels of stardom will impact so many people, that your followers hang on to every lyric or octave you utter, should factor in somehow to you approach your work.

Antwan LaMar Herron

I hope I clarified by what I mean about how some people interpret being an "agent of change."

nicole gervacio

@AntwanLHerron you mean...the artist should be very intentional? (because yes i agree)

Antwan LaMar Herron

For some, an artist changing the world through their art means hiding the ugly realities of the world that needs to be changed.

nicole gervacio

@AntwanLHerron that's true...great point

Antwan LaMar Herron

@nicolegervacio I definitely mean intentional, but not in a moralizing, I'm-above-it-all-because-I-do-art sense.