This study investigates the impact of images to convey certain messages about social injustices located primarily in the Andean areas of South America. Using a qualitative approach to research, we investigated the techniques used by various indigenous musical groups. This study impacts many regions of the world because social justice issues are becoming more prominent worldwide. The presenters are students in a Spanish introductory composition course. The presenters studied various musical works and interviews from groups including Inmortal Kultura, BoomBapKillaz, Nación Rap, and Santa Mala. These groups are from South American countries including Bolivia and Ecuador. The observations from the interviews and musical works explored the methods of promoting change to social injustice and promoting unity. According to the observations the presenters made, they found that depending on the message, different visuals were used to portray unity or the need for social change. Some include images of different groups coming together, the use of aggressive motions similar to hip-hop artists of the United States, and pieces of cultural importance such as traditional musical instruments. This topic impacts our everyday lives because it has helped us learn about the many cultural injustices that occur around us. A potential next step moving forward would be for us to interview the different groups ourselves and compare our observations of their interviews and musical works to their goals when creating these pieces. In the future, it could be a positive motivator and an example of potential methods that those wanting to promote social change could use.
Authors: Taylor Crawford, Isabella Klapwijk
Advisor: Caroline Shipley, Spanish and Portuguese
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