Aye-D -We Are The People

**Name of song:** Aye-D -We Are The People ft. Abdullah Shawky.

**Link:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeFFl0PSb9M

**Name of Musician/bio:** Abdullah Dahduli (Stage-name: Aye-D) He is a Dallas native who is Palestinian and performed at the first through fourth Annual Houston Palestinian Festivals

**Approximate Date of Production:** February 24, 2011

**Location produced:** Dallas, Texas

**Significance of the song in history (how does this song fit into history to protest music?)**

This song is speaking to everyone and anyone who is facing discrimination and prejudice from entire countries, communities, or governments, but it was initiated by the Arab Spring and protests across the Middle East due to anti-government protests. Abdullah Dahduli talks about how people will fight for their rights until they receive them and at the beginning of the song, there is an excerpt from an MLK speech which says “We are peaceful people,” which connects to American history, and the protests for Black equality, Women’s rights, and countless others. This song is a good protest song because he is preaching for peaceful protests and for everyone to make their voice heard so together we can effect change. This shows how people will fight for their rights and equality but will do it peacefully.

**Social ill/problem being protested Event, person, and place at issue—be precise—do not say “BLM” describe what specifically spurred the creation of this track. Use statistics and citations to explain the prevalence or severity of this social ill.**

The issue that the song is addressing is the fight for democracy and injustices (arrests for no reason and violation of human rights) that were occurring in many countries in the middle east: Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Libya, Bahrain, and Syria. (around 2011).

**Evidence of injustice (in Libya)**

Arbitrary Detention and Prisoner Releases: An estimated 213 prisoners who have served their sentences or been acquitted by Libyan courts remain imprisoned under Internal Security Agency orders. The 1996 Abu Salim Prison Massacre and Enforced Disappearances: The authorities have not made public any account of the June 1996 Abu Salim prison massacre in which 1,200 prisoners were killed, nor have they held anyone responsible. In addition, authorities were forcing families to take compensation and keep quiet. Restrictions in freedom of expression, association, and assembly: In January the Libyan government blocked access to at least seven independent and opposition Libyan websites based abroad. In addition, In February security officers briefly arrested four journalists from the radio station Good Evening Benghazi, and authorities banned the program from airing.

**Evidence of injustice (in Egypt)**

Egypt hanged six young men for an alleged attack on military policemen. According to Amnesty International, the trial of the six men was characterized by significant irregularities, including a forced confession by torture and a lack of primary evidence. In addition, Egypt also sentenced Mohamed Morsi, the only democratically elected president in the nation’s modern history, to death, along with more than 100 others. Among those sentenced to death were two people who were apparently dead at the time of the alleged crimes and another who has purportedly been in an Israeli prison since 1996.

**Sample of the most compelling lyrics:** “This isn’t about being Muslim or Christian, this isn’t about black or white, this isn’t about the rich or the poor, this is about the right to live free”. These lyrics mean that no matter what type of person you are, no matter what you believe in, no matter your social status, you should have the same rights as everybody else.

**Relevance of the words and phrases selected: is the song convincing in its message? Explain why you think so in detail.**

The overall message of this song is one of defiance of the oppressor, and empowerment to the oppressed. This song opens with quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and news reports of protests in the Middle East, part of the Arab Spring, setting up the situation for listeners. Aye-D then proceeds to start describing the struggles faced by millions of people in the Middle East at the hands of oppressive regimes, giving some insight to the harsh realities taking place in these countries, with lyrics such as,” contesting the wrong ones with the gun that’s the size of your head.” However, this is immediately contrasted by a message of resilience and hope, with lyrics such as,” We are the people and we demand our rights, and we will not lose.” This song was made in support of the revolutionary movements taking place in countries such as Egypt, Syria, and Libya, where cruel regimes would use unnecessary force against largely peaceful protesters, and served as a symbol of strength and determination on the parts of the revolutionaries, who demand to live with basic human and civil rights in the land of their ancestors.

**The reasons you selected this song and/or musician**

* This song represents the voice of the oppressed, the voice of those struggling for the ideals of freedom and basic civil rights
* The issues that the song revolves around are still prevalent in today’s world, as the conflict in Syria has left the country destroyed and created millions of homeless refugees who flee to Europe
* The artist, Aye-D, has created many other songs regarding very similar issues, particularly songs about the Palestinian - Israeli Conflict, such as “Peaceful Countdown”

**Contemporary connections:**

* Hong Kong protests, as they are about violations of speech and democratic processes just like the Arab springs
* Syrian civil war, where sentiments from the Arab Spring have carried on the conflict for more than a decade and resulted in the displacement of millions of Syrians from their homes and country
* The Palestinian - Israeli Conflict, where a dispute over the distribution of land has left the Palestinians with only a fraction of what they’re entitled to, with no compromise coming from either the Israeli’s or themselves.

**Trivia related to the events, people, and places:**

* The Arab Spring began in Tunisia in December 2010
* The Arab Spring is still ongoing in Syria, where rebel forces continue their struggle against the oppressive regime of Bashar Al-Assad
* Rapper Aye-D is 33 years old
* His mixtape, “Colorblind”, was a protest against Donald Trump’s ban on Muslims
* His music video, “Something Ain’t Right”, is an emphasis on Islamophobia, the Black Lives Matter Movement, and equality for all people

**External links**

* https://www.dallasobserver.com/music/dallas-rapper-aye-d-confronts-islamophobia-with-adele-mashup-8016095
* https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2011/country-chapters/libya
* https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2015/5/18/egypts-injustice-system/

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeFFl0PSb9M