Some thought that the end of the Mayan calendar would mark the end of the world, but some had a different theory: the Age of Enlightenment.
As a matter of fact, it turned out to be neither, and as we get closer the second age of the 20's, we are beginning to see closer and closer similarities to the first one. If we're going to grow as a species, and avoid repeating past mistakes- as we silly humans continue to do- we need to learn to understand each other and accept that we are all different, and yet all the same.
Which bring me to my main point of discussion for this topic, and one I will explain so that you understand that I'm not just promoting an album I like: I'd like to be so bold as to say that Solange's latest effort, A Seat At The Table, may be one of the most important albums to start off 2017. For so many reason which I will list, but mainly because we need to enlighten ourselves and find a way to understand each other. Our difference of education, class, place in the world and individual needs and wants shouldn't-at this point in the game- be driving us from one another, but make us stronger and more universally intelligent.
Now onto the details.
This remarkable woman has single-handedly brought an easy to digest, semi-cliff-notes-like interpretation of black culture to the forefront, in a completely fresh and unpredictable way. She gives the ignorant an insight into where they've come from, where they are, and where she and collaborators on the album would like to see things go.
I personally have always celebrated black culture, their people and what they've done for so many facets of the world, but I too didn't know about and had little- if any- information about a lot of important things that they've faced and continue to go through. In my own words: 100+ years of bullshit is the most ridiculous thing that any one race should have to deal with, and the fact that -by 2017- a lot of these issues haven't at all resolved themselves, is beyond disappointing.
Solange has not only crafted a sonically diverse and engaging album, but tells her's and others' stories in a really honest and real way how bad things are, from things that have carried on since the torrid days of slavery, to daily annoyances (like peoples' need to walk up and just touch her hair). Now you might think, "Hey what's the problem? Things are so much better now." But sometimes you have to put yourself in other peoples' shoes and get over yourself for a minute.
What's really special here is that she doesn't go for over-dramatics, either vocally or lyrically. It's just a matter-of-fact layout of the cultural landscape surrounding black culture, and it's riveting. This is an element which I'm so glad to be seeing more of in music in general- less of the show, and more of an honest look at life. One could be an endlessly fantastic performer, singer, dancer, etc., but if you have nothing to say, you're not going to hold people for very long. As much as the general population seems to show interest in pop music, it is clear that things are taking a shift. As music has become so much easier to acquire, and thus a lot more dispensable, people are showing promise of a desire for content, and quality over quantity. I'm extremely excited for the next generation to come to be forefront with their ideas, because it is time for a dramatic change in more ways than I can list in this article alone.
My main reason for citing Solange's newest album with such importance is because it gives new generations and the older, less aware ones a huge insight into what an entire race is facing. I would gladly welcome artists from other cultures to give us a similar insight through their own experiences, and those who can tell us about the past. In a time when everyone is quickly showing disinterest and even fear towards letting in those who we don't really know or understand into our lives, it's critical- now, more than ever- not to build a wall, but to break the existing ones down.
Too many act like the small advances we have made, are reason enough to sit back and just let things unfold the way they may- pretending like they don't still need a lot work. Nothing is perfect and it never will be, because we as humans are all fatally flawed. This doesn't mean give up, but to keep in mind that we can always improve. Yes, slavery has been abolished in many places, but it still exists, and continues to oppress people today. Segregation- on the scale it used to occupy- has been edited down, but it is still rampant. They've "...got a lot to be mad about." - Solange, Mad. Rightly so. Remember: you have no idea what someone else is going through, so don't assume that they're just fine.
Tina Knowles said it very well, when she expressed her disappointment in a lot of white people in the U.S., who act like appreciating her own culture is some kind of means to suppress theirs. When an Englishman shows his pride for his country, it isn't his way of attacking a German's sense of self. The comparison should be no different, when it comes to white and black people. I try to be as unbiased as possible, but I honestly can't believe that we still need the likes of such powerful forces as Michael Jackson's music to tell people "...it doesn't matter if you're black or white." - Michael Jackson, Black or White.
In a society where we have limitless access to information, it's as if we in totality only take advantage of the funny, silly or shocking displays available to us. What albums like Solange's can do for people who don't bother to read up about things they should already be privy to, is inform, in a language we can all relate to: music.
This beautiful art form has taught us to "imagine all the people, sharing all the world."
As I mentioned, we are always repeating past mistakes, and it seems that we haven't yet learned from a lot of them, with the rise of a lot of weak and corrupt leaders around the world. They won't further us, but either keep us in one place- to control- or push us back, so that we feel too defeated to continue. Some of them aren't doing this on purpose, but they obviously don't realize that their own poor influence is taking a tole on everyone with whom they have the power to influence.
If you can do one thing to better yourself and become a more aware, emotionally intelligent person for 2017, it's listen to Solange Knowles' newest album, A Seat At The Table, and get informed. She isn't the only one who can shape your understanding for the better, but it's a damned good start.
