Historical Deceit

There are many misconceptions and silenced truths that exist in America, and the world, today. They come to light in many ways, but mainly through exposure. Both articles, "Finally, Filmmakers Tell the Forgotten History of Seattle DIY Self-Defense Group Home Alive" and "Country Music is Also Mexican Music" some of these historical and presently essential truths are brought to the foreground. In the interview ("Finally, Filmmakers . . .), Rozz Therrien and Leah Micheals discuss the truth behind self-defense teachings that the previously, non-profit organization "Home Alive" taught during the grunge era, and continues to teach today. In this interview, dominant cultural/patriarchal victim-blaming are challenged. "It’s kind of this weird idea that violence is only going to happen to a woman when she’s walking down a street, alone late at night, and then its her fault because she decided that she was going to walk down the street late at night by herself." Similarly, American country music history, perceived as being predominantly "white" is challenged in "Country Music is also Mexican Music." 

"What Trump failed to note was that without Mexican culture, the beloved American genre might never have existed. We take for granted that country music sounds white, looks white, and in many ways, is white. But country music’s origins are far from white, and the perceived whiteness of American country music was a deliberate construction by the recording industry during the Jim Crow era."

Both articles work to actively contest the violent dominant culture which has oppressed, women, POC, the LGBTQ+ community, and those of lower socioeconomic status. Both articles work to actively dismantle the dominant culture in America and break down borders between opposing groups, such as Mexican-Americans and Donald Trump, or survivors  of violence/sexual assault and misogynistic misconceptions about why these events occur. It is through music histories, such as that of Mia Zapata and the legacy of the Bandaleros, that these effects take place. Providing a platform and a voice to those who have been held down by historical and cultural lies, is how these truths can take hold, break down walls, and build everyone a better future.

i-Kendrick Lamar

I chose to include "i" by Kendrick Lamar because, the song's lyrics describe the love that Lamar has for himself, and how that love protects him--how it acts as a form of self-defense. This reminds me of the argument regarding how self-defense/self-care can take many forms in the interview about "Home Alive"

La Llorona-Chavela Vargas

I included "La Llorona" because, I feel, that many of the Mexican influence that has created Country music is also present in this song. Primarily the guitar and the vocals. This song serves as an example of the many ways that artists who have given much of the "American" music we enjoy today have been robbed of their recognition of the TRUE impact they have had, as well as the resilience practices that oppressed artists have had to embody.