Who should be able to address social issues facing them, their family, community, or society?

Think About

• How old do you need to be before you can address important issues facing your family, community, or society?
• Should music be used to address issues facing your family, community, or society?

Get Started

1. Listen to Jon Mooallem tell a story about his 6-year-old daughter was in a play that addressed social issues such as gentrification [From 23:01 – 38:35]. 

One of the themes Mr. Mooallem raises is whether young people should be addressing the same types of social issues that adults talk about.

Another theme Mr. Mooallem discusses is whether young people should be addressing social issues through the arts in an after-school program (in this case a play critiquing gentrification).

 Think about and answer the following questions:

• What is the difference between music addressing community issues and propaganda?
• How do we know when something is art and when something is propaganda?
• Should youth address social issues through art/music?
  • Why or why not?

How do you feel about places online where youth share their perspectives on social issues such as:

• Voices of Youth
• Youth Radio
• Youth Voices Live

Share What you Learned

• Write or share a video selfie discussing your perspective on
  • when you should be able to address issues addressing you, your family, or community
  • using art/music to address issues facing you, your family, or community

Return to XP 4: How can we incorporate others’ experiences when creating music?

OR

Return to the Get Started Connecting Music and Culture Playlist