Wont You Help To Sing?

Using Music As A Method of Educating, Healing, and

Bringing Groups of People Together as seen in
Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobels Wabanaki Blues
Victoria Rice
Dr. Suhr-Sytsma
ENG181-001
07 April 2016

Redemption Song by Bob Marley

Tentative Thesis
In Wabanaki Blues, writing and playing music acts as a
gateway to transforming and healing individuals that suffer
from both historical and more recent traumas, such as
prejudices against Native Americans/Native American
genocide and the murder of Mia, as well as giving them hope
and inspiration for a stronger generation.

Outline
Introduction/Thesis
Body
Background information for Redemption Song in contrast to Monas world
using my first source, with an emphasis on historical trauma.
Close reading and analysis of Redemption Song in the context of Wabanaki
Blues, using my second source as an argument basis.
Looking at the healing aspect/message of Wabanaki Blues as communicated in
Redemption Song in relation to the on-going 7th Generation Movement (third
source.)

Source, Body Topic (1)

Dawes, Kwame Senu Neville. Bob Marley: Lyrical

Genius. London: Sanctuary, 2002.

Tells Marleys motivation for writing Redemption

Song, along with historical context that can serve to
support the idea that a close reading of Redemption
Song is relevant in the context of Wabanaki Blues in
a deeper sense.

Skin complexion was sometimes as defining about ones

place in society as anything else might be. Marley was red.
There was no one way to say it in Jamaica. It was meant that
he was of a mixed racial background and was light enough to
be distinguished from most Jamaicans. (Dawes, 44)
Native American prejudice/Historical Trauma in Wabanaki
Blues

Source, Body Topic (2)

Smith, W. Alan, and F. L. Lakeland. "Songs of

freedom: The music of Bob Marley as transformative
education." (2007).

This source is a scholarly article that provides a close

reading of Redemption Song, along with analysis of
Bob Marleys work and the revolution he calls for in his
music.

I will come to terms with Smiths close analyzation of Redemption Song and do
my own close reading of Redemption Song in the context of Wabanaki Blues.
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery,/ None but ourselves can free our
minds. It becomes the responsibility of those continue to suffer this emotional
captivity to begin to take the steps necessary to accomplish their own liberation.
(Smith, 2005)
In the context of Wabanaki Blues, I would say that it is the responsibility of
characters to overcome their emotional captivity. (Mona Identity, Monas mother
Coping/Mental Health Issues/Unhappy Marriage, Mias Family
Griefing/Unrest)

Source, Body Source (3)

"Watch the 7th Generation Rise on

'Rebel Music: Native America'" News.
Web. 06 Apr. 2016.
I will use this source connect it to the
revolution Marley calls upon in
Redemption Song and elaborate on
the stronger generation I mentioned
in my thesis.

Challenges

Not trying to use too many sources.. I cut two sources in the process of
making this presentation.

Making a fluid argument

Not being too general/trying to talk about too many topics

Thanks for listening!