In Professor Valverde's chapter "Popular Music: Sounds of Home Resistance and Change", she explains the motives of those who not only produce Vietnamese music, but those who consume it. She also reveals how the music industry affects Vietnam and those in diaspora. It is noted that Vietnamese composers started to incorporate more Western styles as well as French styles starting in the early 19th century; it included marching songs, love songs, and resistance/independence from the French. Also, over time, there has been less of a limitation on music: the people of the north were listening to the same singers as those from the south, as well as those overseas. Music is able to travel and can be spread through piracy and the natural curiosity to connect with one's popular culture. Knowing how important and influential music is to bring a divided culture together makes me wonder the following: is music the only art form that can't be stopped by the differences of those from the north, south, and overseas? What about fashion? Or movies? Or painting and books? Is there an underground way to access these other art forms? Censorship plays a role in the resistance as a role of the government, but it seems as though music is definitely needed to bring everyone together. I think it's interesting how people in the U.S. (at least a lot of people I've known) sometimes forget that there are other countries with their own types of music and think that only Americanized music is the best music, but in reality if we look at other countries, it seems as though we take advantage of such a way to communicate and share an artistic experience. I think it's important to attempt to hear it all and develop an appreciation for every form of uniqueness, and embrace popular music from all countries all around the world. It can be a very powerful way to communicate with everyone.
No comments:
Post a Comment