Discussion 8

The trailer to “Coming to you, Minu” reminds us of the important role that music plays in fights for migrant justice. Why do you think this is the case? How can we connect this question to the first reading you did in this course by Goffe, who also talked about the relationship between Chinese shopkeepers in Jamaica and music?

Music evokes emotion. Depending on the situation and time, music is present to represents a person’s emotional and mental feeling. Some genres invoke pleasure and happiness. Some invoke action and excitement. Some sadness and anger. In the aspect of migrant justice, music served as a “call to action”, feelings of passion, anger, sadness, and etc. It sends a blatant message that migrants do not have the same justice as others, which is unfair in a progressive era.

Connecting to the first week’s reading, the Reggae music genre serves similarly in the role. It brings emotions of happiness which not only unites two groups of cultures but also a way to enjoy life when the events of war and political disputes have caused many to suffer, especially with colonized nations such as Jamaica and the racial inferiority of both the Chinese and Jamaicans.