One wonders about the power of rock to change culture.
It’s not rock per se, however. China has plenty of rock bands, but these bands have no freedom to criticize their own government. They also lack the freedom to read up on their nation’s history on the Internet — which is why China’s youth are woefully ignorant of what occurred 20 years ago this week.
I assume, without knowing for sure, that rock bands in China are mainly about style. In other words, another product to be devoured in a hyper-consumeristic culture.
What they are not about, apparently, is rebellion, as that would land them on the wrong side of the government censors. In other words, there is no Chinese equivalent to the Sex Pistol’s God Save The Queen or Green Day’s American Idiot in the pop culture landscape.
I’m wondering what the new economic environment in the US will bring to our own American version of pop culture. Will it breed the necessary courage to ask the tough questions so that we might poke our way toward greater economic and social justice, or will we timidly resolve to not rock the boat, to stay within our mediocre means?
There are some indications, particularly in country music and in hip hop, that the recession’s new realities have not gone unnoticed.
So, is it myth or reality that popular music can be a formidable force for change? Has rock-n-roll been globally commodified? Tell us your thoughts, or tell us more about Chinese rock. We reserve the right to reward intelligent responses with tickets.
-Tag Evers
Filed under: Free Madison Concert Tickets & MP3 Downloads, Music News & Reviews, Sounding Board Blog Tagged: | Chinese pop culture, globalization music, Madison WI Music Scene, political country music, political music, rebel music, rock-n-roll rebels, underground hip hop
Very thought-provoking post, Tag. I believe (perhaps a bit naively?) that music can absolutely be a positive vehicle for change. The best kind of art is challenging, honest and intelligent and there are so many artists of varying mediums that pursue those ideals with unwavering conviction.
Sadly, the opportunity to do so comes with significantly higher risks in certain parts of the globe than in others. Right now, there is no genuine collective voice of the Chinese public reaching the rest of the world, and this is extremely troubling. All we really know is the falsely peaceful image that the Chinese government works very hard to project.
I think it’s obvious that art is a very real threat to oppressive societies–why else would it be so actively persecuted? As much respect as artists in “free” nations deserve for their vocalized rebellion, those in censor-heavy nations who insist on rocking the boat should be held in the highest esteem.
“Art is Individualism, and Individualism is a disturbing and disintegrating force. Therein lies its immense value. For what it seeks to disturb is monotony of type, slavery of custom, tyranny of habit, and the reduction of man to the level of a machine.” — Oscar Wilde
I watched a PBS special on the Tienanmen anniversary and was shocked to discover that Beijing college students have never even seen the iconic “Tank Man” image..It upsets me that these major communications companies (Yahoo, Cisco, Google, etc) consent to their product being used in such culturally dangerous ways. The technology to keep ignorant & spy on their own people is only available b/c Western businesses have consented & provided the services…I realize China is the “customer” but this seems problematic & disturbing!