Community Event - Disrupting Racism Through the Lens of the Arts

San Diego Mesa College Black History Month

Disrupting Racism Through the Lens of the Arts

Feb 24, 2022 08:00 PM

This virtual presentation will take students, faculty and staff on a historical journey illuminating how art has been used to confront racism in America. Dr. Ron McCurdy, of USC, will share musical excerpts demonstrating the dual purpose of the Negro spiritual and how it was used to praise God while revolting against slavery. He will also examine Billie Holiday's Strange Fruit, Same Cooke's A Change is Gonna Come, and Marvin Gaye's What's Going On, to name a few. The event will demonstrate how the arts help define the struggle for Black freedom and equality.