Post #5

✰ Four Women ✰ By: Nina Simone ✰

-The reason I chose this song is because the lyrics are very powerful. Even though her words are simple, you can still put together the horrible story she is telling. I see her telling about a a black women who was rape by a white man and her child was sold. But even through such a tragic event, she managed to remain the strong, tough women she is. I think the name represents how delicate she still is despite the attitude she HAS to keep.

-For social change Nina shows that the possibility is very great! Her form of art, which is song, is a technique hundreds used to get there story across to the public. These songs contained hidden and sometimes blunt messages that involved situations slaves could not got to the authority's about, mainly because they run the risk of getting killed. In my eyes this song tells a story of rape. Now, if any slave accused a white of rapping them, they surely wouldn't believe them. I'm sure the man who rapped her already threatened her life if she told anyone. This form of art and many others is listened to and seen by all. Once a message like this is heard, the right ears will carry it to the next, which will spark an anger who will not tolerate this form of abuse. From there, you will get many who wants to end this barbaric act (and many others).

-This song definitely connects to both the Civil Rights and Black Arts Movement. In terms of Civil Rights, it's pretty obvious. The act of rape is just unethical and immoral! It is a crime all by itself...and if any cop or judge can't see that, they obviously go on to contradict their own job and duties. As for the Black Arts Movement, as horrible of a picture this song is, I still think people need to be remind of the horrors blacks went though. Although, I would vote for this kind of situation to be seen only through song. It's something you don't want to picture but can't help but try to understand, and at that point you can't help but imagine what's going on...it's at that moment it strikes you and gives you a feeling of guilt and resentment.

Post #4

I think Larry Neal's opinion about ethics and aesthetics is very true. It wouldn't make any sense at all to apply and dedicate yourself to something you don't value. I see a persons aesthetics being the back bone and foundation when wanting to carry out an idea or making your voice be heard.

What makes art ethical is the person themselves. In some aspects art can appear by itself, but it still needs an initiator. Whether it be a person or nature itself, there's always some bases in which this "artistic piece" was created. Someone or something gave it, it's foundation and that is what it's reflecting. The ethics of nature itself have shown us countless times that art is all around us. When we see flowers blossom, spiders spinning webs, and even if your lucky enough to catch a glimpse of an aurora borealis. I do not think there is any non-ethical art. Everything has a foundation and rules it must or have always followed, it's when we take a closer that we realize what the hidden purpose of this beauty is for.

http://franceshunter.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/aurora-borealis1.jpg

http://artfiles.art.com/5/p/LRG/29/2960/EQDQD00Z/darrell-gulin-heliborus-pattern-of-winter-blooming-flower-sammamish-washington-usa.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/abramsv/SKse2XECfWI/AAAAAAAAZYg/5MHyEP8pOUw/s640/651498439_1e12ffa93f.jpg

Post #3

For the black writer, Neal ask that his thoughts and ideas not represent or take images from the ideological society (based on white culture). He feels a whole new system is needed. If ideas are based from this culture, the black artist will have no future.

In relation to political struggle, Neal sees the Black Arts as the needs and aspiration of the black community (America). It is a way for blacks to tell "white america" what they want to be changed and that they are not going to live under the "white aesthetic" or Western Culture anymore.