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Arts et débats de société
Axe culturel 3 — Art et pouvoir : comment les œuvres artistiques interrogent et influencent les débats de société (programme LVA 1ère)
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Cette activité de compréhension sur « Arts et débats de société » en première entraîne à lire, analyser et répondre à des questions en anglais (LVA). Elle suit le programme officiel de première. Au programme : L'art comme miroir de la société, Art et propagande : le pouvoir qui contrôle, L'art de contestation : contre-culture et résistance, La Harlem Renaissance : art et identité afro-américaine. Lis le document, réponds puis vérifie immédiatement tes réponses pour progresser. Un bon moyen de travailler la méthode, d'enrichir son vocabulaire et de préparer les contrôles. Ressource gratuite proposée par un professeur particulier à Marseille pour réussir en anglais (LVA) en première.
1Read the following text carefully, then answer the questions below.
The Power of Protest Music
Music has long served as a vehicle for social change. During the American Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, protest songs became an essential tool for activists fighting against racial segregation and discrimination. Songs such as «We Shall Overcome» were sung at marches and demonstrations, giving courage to thousands of protesters.
Nina Simone, often called the «High Priestess of Soul», went further than most. Her 1964 song «Mississippi Goddam» was a furious response to the bombing of a Black church in Birmingham, Alabama, which killed four young girls. The song was banned by many radio stations in the Southern United States, yet it spread rapidly and became an anthem of resistance.
«Strange Fruit», recorded by Billie Holiday in 1939, is perhaps the most haunting example of musical protest. The song describes the lynching of Black men in the American South through the horrific metaphor of «strange fruit» hanging from trees. It was initially refused by Holiday's record label, who feared the consequences. Despite — or perhaps because of — this censorship, the song became one of the most powerful indictments of racism in American cultural history.
These examples demonstrate that art, when denied a platform, does not disappear. On the contrary, censorship often amplifies a message, turning it into a symbol of the very injustice it denounces.
Music has long served as a vehicle for social change. During the American Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, protest songs became an essential tool for activists fighting against racial segregation and discrimination. Songs such as «We Shall Overcome» were sung at marches and demonstrations, giving courage to thousands of protesters.
Nina Simone, often called the «High Priestess of Soul», went further than most. Her 1964 song «Mississippi Goddam» was a furious response to the bombing of a Black church in Birmingham, Alabama, which killed four young girls. The song was banned by many radio stations in the Southern United States, yet it spread rapidly and became an anthem of resistance.
«Strange Fruit», recorded by Billie Holiday in 1939, is perhaps the most haunting example of musical protest. The song describes the lynching of Black men in the American South through the horrific metaphor of «strange fruit» hanging from trees. It was initially refused by Holiday's record label, who feared the consequences. Despite — or perhaps because of — this censorship, the song became one of the most powerful indictments of racism in American cultural history.
These examples demonstrate that art, when denied a platform, does not disappear. On the contrary, censorship often amplifies a message, turning it into a symbol of the very injustice it denounces.
2Questions
Q1 What was the role of protest songs during the American Civil Rights Movement?
Q2 Why was Nina Simone's 'Mississippi Goddam' banned in the Southern United States?
Q3 What literary device does 'Strange Fruit' use to describe lynching?
Q4 According to the last paragraph, what effect can censorship have on a protest song?
La dernière phrase : 'censorship often amplifies a message'.Q5 Do you think music is an effective tool for social change? Use the text and your own knowledge to justify your answer.
I believe music is a highly effective tool for social change, as demonstrated in the text. Protest songs like 'We Shall Overcome' provided emotional strength to Civil Rights activists, while 'Mississippi Goddam' and 'Strange Fruit' brought national and international attention to racial violence. Music reaches audiences that political speeches may not, and its emotional power can shift public opinion. The fact that these songs were censored yet became iconic proves that music can challenge power structures even when those in power try to suppress it.Voir le corrigé
- they gave courage to protesters
- it was a furious response to the bombing of a Black church
- metaphor
- it amplifies the message — La dernière phrase : 'censorship often amplifies a message'.
- Réponse libre — exemple : I believe music is a highly effective tool for social change, as demonstrated in the text. Protest songs like 'We Shall Overcome' provided emotional strength to Civil Rights activists, while 'Mississippi Goddam' and 'Strange Fruit' brought national and international attention to racial violence. Music reaches audiences that political speeches may not, and its emotional power can shift public opinion. The fact that these songs were censored yet became iconic proves that music can challenge power structures even when those in power try to suppress it.
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Moi c'est Ben, j'ai créé ce site pour aider le plus d'élèves possible, partout en France. Je peux aussi reprendre avec toi ce qui coince en cours particulier : en visio, ou à domicile si tu es à Marseille.
Prof d'anglais à Marseille · Cours particuliers au lycée · Aide aux devoirs