Chase Congleton
With O.I.L.’s session being held in the middle of November, sweater weather is finally here! What better way to spend your time in between passing bills than to build a political music playlist? Let’s start off this session with some songs that will boost your mood.
Rihanna – American Oxygen
While this Rihanna track is not blatantly political in its lyrical themes and just appears to be another track to put on your Fourth of July playlist, “American Oxygen” follows the idea of “the American Dream.” Rihanna, an immigrant who hails from Barbados, has come a long way to get to where she is.
M.I.A. – Borders
M.I.A., who is the only artist alive who can make a song about the genocide against the Rohingya people in Myanmar and not have it come across as offensive and tasteless, wrote this 2015 track in the midst of the immigration crisis. A Sri Lankan immigrant herself, M.I.A. says a number of political and social constructs and uses her voice for the voiceless migrants across the globe.
Bob Dylan – Masters of War
Are you, too, upset about the Cold War? This 1963 protest track by Dylan discusses frustration with regard to the tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. If someone in the House or Senate does something that angers you, listen to this track and vent with one of America’s greatest songwriters.
Bob Marley – War
This powerful reggae track released by Marley in 1976 discusses the social war between humanity. In its opening verse, Marley says “Until the philosophy, which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned, everywhere is war.” Evidently, Marley sings about the battle between good and evil in regards to race relations.
N.E.R.D. – Don’t Don’t Do It! (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
Bob Marley’s track was written almost fifty years ago, and yet the contents of the song still ring true today. Such is the case with N.E.R.D.’s 2017 song with Kendrick Lamar, which talks about the history of police brutality within the United States. With a catchy chorus, speedy rap verses and a reference to the Tulsa Race Riots, participants of the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature will enjoy this track and also learn more about America’s current state at race relations.
This Land is Your Land – Woody Guthrie
Despite all the conflict and strife O.I.L. participants will experience this week, everyone is human at the end of the day. We live in this great country where we have the privilege to voice our opinions and create change in our neighborhoods. While America is far from perfect, there are a number of countries that would restrict an organization such as the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature. Let’s celebrate and view the positivity within each of us!