Several San Jose State students, faculty and staff shared their thoughts on music’s power, it’s relation to racial justice in front of the Olympic Black Power Statues Monday afternoon.
The “Skin Tones: Notes, Quotes, and Community” event organizers shared songs and quotes picked by university community members that illustrate the systemic topic.
The event’s entry form stated: “When you hear the phrase 'Racial Justice' what is the very first song or quote you think of and why?”
Humanities senior and attendee Justise Wattree submitted the song “Panther Power” by late rapper Tupac.
“[That song] just talks about the falseness of the American dream and how Black people were made to aspire to be in the American dream but that American dream really isn't meant to be for us,” Wattree said.
He said music has a revolutionary purpose that can “start something on its own.”
The two-hour event was part of the annual series, “Transforming Communities: A Movement to Racial Justice.”
The Transforming Communities: A Movement to Racial Justice series, put on by the Office of the President, aims to make change in the community by creating a more racially just and equitable city and county, according to its website.
The two-week series was started by Jahmal Williams, director of advocacy for racial justice, and Edwin Tan, director of advocacy and community relations.
“The idea [behind the Transforming Communities series] is that we can continue the conversation around racial justice and equity throughout the city and county by partnering with community organizations, faculty, staff and students,” Williams said.
The Skin Tones event was organized by Walter Adams, department of biological sciences assistant professor.
Adams said the planning for the series started in April but his idea for Skin Tones came about in September.
He said one of the unique aspects of the entire series is that anyone can participate in the planning.
Adams said he wanted to create an inclusive and accessible place for everyone because starting conversations about racial justice and diversity can be tough.
“I really wanted to try and create a space that had almost no barrier to entry and use something that's universally accessible and, to me, that’s music,” he said. “I think because there's so much emotion that is tied into music, having an event that centers music and connects it directly to racial justice is a way to open up some of those conversation spaces.”
Some of the songs submitted include: “This is America” by singer, rapper and producer Childish Gambino, “Fight the Power” by hip-hop group Public Enemy and “Where is the Love?” by musical group The Black Eyed Peas.
Patience Bryant, director ofi Black/African American Equity, chose the song “U.N.I.T.Y.” by Queen Latifah, singer-songwriter, rapper and actor.
Bryant said that song blooms empowerment within the Black community, specifically Black men empowering Black women.
In the chorus, Queen Latifah raps, “U.N.I.T.Y., U.N.I.T.Y. that's a unity (Here we go, you gotta let him know) (You go, come on, here we go) U.N.I.T.Y., love a Black woman from (You gotta let him know) Infinity to infinity (You ain't a bitch or a ho, here we go).”
“[U.N.I.T.Y.] talks about doing the work within your own community so hopefully it’ll empower some students to do that as well,” Bryant said.
Williams also talked about music’s revolutionary power and why he chose “You Can’t Stop Us Now” by rapper, songwriter Nas to play during the event.
“I think music speaks to experience, music speaks to history, music speaks to perseverance, music speaks to change and what needs to be done,” he said.
Williams said the lyrics of You Can’t Stop Us Now show the perseverance and resilience of Black people throughout hundreds of years of oppression.
Nas raps in the chorus: “No matter how hard you try/ You can't stop us now (oh, no matter)/ No matter how hard you try/ You can't stop us now/ Can't be stopped (no).”
Williams said he hopes students will be inspired to think about what change could look like when they hear that song.
Adams said the Skin Tones event form also welcomed quotes as a connection to racial justice because not everyone relates to music.
“Maybe when you think of all the great quotes from our racial justice advocates and leaders, there's a lot of history and power there,” he said.
Justise Wattree shared a poem during the event’s open mic portion.
“I like to share my poems,” he said. “I believe I have a voice so I like to share my voice.”
The event lasted until 4 p.m. The next event in the series is the 2021 Silicon Valley Pain Index: Inequality Soars by Race and Class under COVID-19 scheduled for Wednesday at noon on Zoom.
