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The Black Movement Playlist

This is not Martin Luther King Jr.’s playlist, so prepare for some brutal ultimatums.

Dayjah Lee

Feb 13, 2018

Indiana University

646

Pexels

It is February! You know what that means? I’m not talking about a certain holiday that looks like red and pink puke attacked the country. I’m talking about a celebration of an oppressed group that lasts all month long. Not an average month, of course. The celebration I speak of is Black History Month. A recognition cultivated out of Negro History Week, which began in 1926. However, by the 1960's, Negro History Week had grown to be Black History Month at many colleges before President Gerald Ford made it official in 1976.

Despite the month being recognized officially, it is still so unrecognized. It often takes a backseat to the holiday that is all about spreading love and being romantic (which you should honestly do all the time, not just one day out of the year).

Anyways, the irony of the celebration is in a month of love is that African Americans still don’t get any love. I mean, people still say things such as, “Why don’t we have a white history month?” To that, I would say: “You do... It is 11 months of the whole year. Get over yourself.”

In the light of the rise of the Black Lives Matter Movement, music has become integral to the Black Movement. A means of an expression to say what words cannot. These songs not only incorporate sounds with African roots but also from the modern day; as if to unify the two as one. Artists such as Kendrick Lamar and Solange have vividly captured what it means to be Black in America and what we as a people experience every day of our lives. For example, police brutality, discrimination and the hypocrisy from those around them.

To do African Americans justice, I have decided to put a pause on my Greek Life segment and speak on an issue that is dear to my heart. To get you in the mood, here are some songs that will fully equip you to be an active supporter of African American justice and rights. A playlist that will, in fact, keep you “woke”.

Your Woke Anthems

1. “Don’t Touch My Hair” by: Solange

2. “Mad” by: Lil Wayne, Solange (Let’s be honest, the whole album, A Seat at the Table, really)

3. “Formation” by: Beyonce

4. “The Blacker the Berry” by: Kendrick Lamar

5. “Alright” by: Kendrick Lamar

6. “Glory” by: Common, John Legend

7. “Rise Up” by: Andra Day

8. “Bo$$” by: Fifth Harmony

9. “Conqueror” by: Estelle, Jussie Smollett

10. “Almost There” by: Anika Noni Rose

11. “Powerful” by: Alicia Keys, Empire Cast, Jussie Smollett

12. “Get Up, Stand Up” by: The Wailers

13. “Not My President” by: Oshun

14. “Black Sheep” by: Mick Jenkins

15. “Fight the Power” by: Public Enemy

16. “People Get Ready” by: The Impressions

17. “Blacks and Browns” by: Sad Boy, YG

18. “Blk Girl Soldier” by: Jamila Woods

19. “Vry Blk” by: Jamila Woods

20. “Ku Klux Klan” by: Steel Pulse

21. “Forgive Them Father” by: Lauryn Hill

22. “Optimistic” by: Sounds of Blackness

23. “Keep Ya Head Up” by: 2Pac

24. “All Black Everything” by: Lupe Fiasco

25. “My Petition” by: Jill Scott

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Your Woke Anthems

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

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