Songs for The Movement: “Hell You Talmbout”

I’m starting a new category that I’m calling songs for the movement which will house selected protest songs for social justice from the past and the present.

I’m trying to build a list here, and will update this category periodically, but feel free to share any suggestions you may have.

For the first entry in Songs for the Movement, I share “Hell You Talmbout” from Janelle Monae and Wondaland Records.

Janelle Monae had this to say about the song via instagram.

“This song is a vessel. It carries the unbearable anguish of millions. We recorded it to channel the pain, fear, and trauma caused by the ongoing slaughter of our Black brothers and sisters. We recorded it to challenge the indifference, disregard, and negligence of all who remain quiet about this issue. Silence is our enemy. Sound is our weapon. They say a question lives forever until it gets the answer it deserves… Won’t you say their names?”

The names mentioned in the song below:

Walter Scott

Jerame Reid

Phillip White

Eric Garner

Trayvon Martin

Sean Bell

Freddie Gray

Aiyana Jones

Sandra Bland

Kimani Grey

John Crawford

Michael Brown

Miriam Carey

Sharonda Singleton

Emmet Till

Tommy Yancy

Jordan Baker

Amadou Diallo

These names and so many others. The hell we are talmbout is the hell black folks are catching, and fighting against.

Also check out:

#SayHerName

#BlackTransLivesMatter

#BlackLivesMatter

#IfTheyGunnedMeDown

#WhichEmergency

#DangerousBlackKids

Ubuntu,

From Aspiring Humanitarian, Relando Thompkins-Jones, MSW, LLMSW

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