Strange Fruit: The hidden truth of a Billie Holiday creation

BY: BRITTNEY CHANNER

Hey Guys, Welcome Back!

Earlier today I had an exam regarding the topic of politics and its place within music. I must admit, some aspect of this course can be insanely boring, but as I was reading about the numerous musical artists that somehow used their music as a way to protest injustice, I came across Billie Holiday and a brief description of a song she performed entitled “Strange Fruit”. As inquisitive as I was, something told me to look up the song and give it a listen; and to my surprise, the effect it had on me inspired this very article.

Although the month of February has finished, it is never too late to acknowledge Black History and the role it had on social justice. To me. every day is a chance to learn and understand the multiple sacrifices African people throughout history have made for the further advancement of people such as myself. Social justice was an integral part of human society within the 1960s in the United States, Canada and all throughout the civil rights movement. Social justice was an idea that many individuals actively tried to represent, and this was done through many outlets. One popular outlet was through music and the lyrical content that was produced.

Many singers used their music to educate the masses on the injustices that many individuals, specifically African Americans, were facing at that time. It was music that gave people hope in serious times of oppression, racism, and inequality. The song “Strange Fruit” by Billie Holliday is a clear example of a song that displayed an explicit political message for the first time amongst an entertainment crowd. The chilling imagery that addressed the common practice of lynching is the main focus of Holiday’s song. “Southern trees bear a strange fruit; blood on the leaves and blood at the root”. What starts off sounding like a potential love song, immediately goes awry as the mention of blood comes into play. The visuals of dead bodies swaying side to side paints the harsh reality of black people living in the south in the United States.

Today, it is common to see many celebrities and musicians use their musical platform to exercise their freedom of speech by speaking out against policies, political leaders and events that threaten the overall development and benefit of the greater public. As a matter of fact, it is now seen as the norm to be vocal in some form of social justice issue in today’s society. A current example of this is through Colin Kaepernick’s unique way of protesting police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem or popular country group The Dixie Chicks opposition to the invasion of Iraq by the U.S in 2003, by utilizing their first amendment right of free speech. Regardless of what method is used, many individuals that are in positions of power or influence have made it a common goal to speak, sing, scream, and/or act out on anything that deserves to be brought some attention.

Although active participation through song and lyrics is quite common within today’s music, Billie Holiday definitely pushed the boundaries when she decided to perform Strange Fruit because she indirectly protested against racism in America during its peak in the south. Truth be told, the song is a very ugly and twisted song which uncomfortably “tears at the guts of what white people have done to black people in the United States” truthfully and powerfully spoken by Nina Simone; another prominent black musical artist who gave her own rendition of the song, which is equally as raw.

My initial feelings before Billie began singing the lyrics was how beautiful each instrument was in the overall creation of the song. The introduction to the song seemed light and almost fairy-tale like without the listener catching on the songs true underlying themes. How could something sung so beautifully create such feelings of distaste, horror, and sadness?

Nevertheless, the song gives a realistic picture of life 50 years ago and the struggle black people faced. It wasn’t common for musical artists to use their craft and speak on injustice however when they did, passionate feelings were ignited through the lives of whom were victims of it. Let Billie Holiday show you that regardless of who you are and what you look like, your craft can be your message.