Columnist Bernie Hayes
Several songs have been written now that Barack Obama is the president-elect. I have heard tunes by the Commodores, The Dells, Stevie Wonder, Chick Willis and many more, all demonstrating pride and joy. It must give Mr. Obama and his family a great sense of satisfaction realizing that his intention of bringing a change is now the cornerstone of a nation’s fresh initiative. Politicians, artists and musicians has adopted his theme and taken it to the national stage
Choosing a tribute or memorial song could be a very difficult challenge with many different themes and styles, but I am suggesting that in the situation of President-elect Obama, when it comes to racial pride and overcoming stereotypes, his song was written decades ago.
To some what I am referring to might be offensive. I hope not. The history of African Americans is a centuries-old struggle against oppression and discrimination. The media, especially the recording industry, have played a key role in perpetuating the effects of this historical oppression and in contributing to African Americans’ continuing status as second-class citizens. As a result, white America has suffered from a deep uncertainty as to who African Americans really are.
Mr. Obama won the November elections on this theme of change, and I personally remember a song that was recorded in the early ‘70s by Chester Arthur Burnett, most commonly known as The Howling Wolf, that seemed prophetic and full of hope for a people who have known oppression and despair for hundreds of years. The song is from his album Back Door Wolf, and the song is called “Coon on the Moon”.
Please, before you get upset or outraged, listen to my argument. I am not advocating that the Obama team adopt this as its theme. I hope that you are aware that, despite the negative role minstrels played in the historic negative stereotyping of African Americans through the recording industry, it has been a major contributor to the legacy of other music genres. The African heritage, the folk tradition and minstrelsy led directly into the blues, rhythm and blues, gospel and rock. “Coon on the Moon” has become an iconic protest tune, embraced by blues-loving and freedom-seeking African Americans everywhere.
These complaint songs cover a wide variety of topics, and deal with issues and concerns ranging from personal and interpersonal to local and global matters. Every major movement in Western history has been accompanied by its own collection of protest songs, from slave emancipation to women’s suffrage, the labor movement, civil rights, the anti-war movement and the feminist movement.
These songs were carried across the country by the Freedom Riders and many became civil rights anthems.
The song “Coon on the Moon” incorporates the change and vision that President-elect Obama campaigned on. Here are some of the lyrics.
Things have changed; we’re on the move now.
They wouldn’t let us play together, but we’re wearing brand new shoes now.
You know they used to call us ‘coons,’ and say we ain’t got no sense;
You gonna wake up one morning and the old coon will be your president!
Things have changed; we’re on the move now.
You are gonna wake up one morning and there will be a Coon a sittin’ on the Moon.
The spirituals evolved from the calls, hollers, shouts, cries and moans which emanated from the African-American folk heritage. Sojourner Truth once said, “Now colored men have the right to vote. There ought to be equal rights now more than ever, since colored people have got their freedom. I am going to talk several times while I am here; so now I will do a little singing. I have not heard any singing since I came here.”
I wish Sojourner could have witnessed Mr. Obama’s triumph and heard The Howling Wolf.
I can be reached by fax at (314) 837-3369 or by e-mail at: bernay@swbell.net.