Representations of Hate Crimes in Music

As an exciting part of the Year 9 SMSC activities, some students have explored the representation of hate crimes within music, both exploring the concept and adapting song lyrics in order to fit the theme.

When speaking to the students in order to grasp their concept, they told me that they have experienced this on a small scale as being judged upon their taste in music, and although this isn’t classed as a hate crime, it is still disappointing that people are being inconsiderate to complete such actions, especially on grounds of such an irrelevant topic. The students looked at a song by Biggie and Tupac which addressed the issue of hate crimes and proceeded to create their own raps on the topic, exploring the ideas in more detail and adding their own twist and personal thoughts.

After speaking to the students, I decided to speak to Ms Dale to get more in-depth knowledge about the subject. She explained that artists can choose to use their fame and platform to either provoke hate and discrimination against the masses or they can come together and attempt to fight against hate crimes and empowering any victims. Ms Dale mentioned how Beyoncé uses her music to empower women, such as songs like “Single Ladies” and “If I Were a Boy” which breed positivity among the female community (alongside being great songs), however there are also artists who create tension, provoking racism and hate crimes, such as it being suggested that the song “White Riots” by The Clash being described as doing this. These artists have the power to spread positivity and light among the world and, as the Year 9’s have learned, it is honestly heart-breaking and disgusting that these influences are wasting their power by spreading negativity more than an epidemic of disease, which just adds to their similarities.

After having this be explained to us, we asked how this fits into SMSC, and although this is once again pretty obvious, everybody has different explanations and opinions. Ms Dale states that people’s “values and actions are a moral issue” which has both been improved and gotten worse throughout history, with the actions of the Suffragists and political leaders such as Martin Luther King bringing thinking forward and allowing for less discrimination and hate crimes, which have been committed by groups such as the IS and the KKK, who have committed hate crimes based on race, religion and culture, which of course isn’t okay and should not be tolerated.

The Year 9s have gained knowledge which will allow them to shape their thinking successfully and become better people in the future, as well as being more aware of the messages the music they’re are listening to is sending.