American singer Rodriguez, whose name is known to no more than ten people in his hometown of Detroit, including his family and colleagues at the construction site, is remembered by his children as a generous and loving father , In the eyes of his colleagues, he is a tireless worker, but no one would have thought that he would be hailed as a legendary superstar in faraway Africa, the most admired singer of all those who opposed the apartheid policy. How exactly did all this happen? "Finding Sugar Man" will find all the answers.
First of all, let's go back to the apartheid system in South Africa. Since the Dutch colonists set foot on the land of South Africa in 1652, the political term Apartheid has been engraved in the hearts of generations of South Africans like a sharp knife. A wound that cannot be healed for a long time; the South African Federation was established in 1910 in the last century. In September of that year, the British Parliament passed the South African federal constitution - the South African Act. The apartheid system appeared in the form of legislation and clearly stipulated that only white people had the right to citizenship, and Eligible to enter the administrative and judicial system. In the following years, the government of 100 people successively issued dozens of laws, which gradually lost the civil rights of South Africans. By 1948, the Kuomintang, which was composed of Africans, came to power. During its more than 40 years in power, the party had introduced more than 300 bills and regulations, including the "Population Registration Law", "Pass Law", "Bantu Education". Acts such as the Act and the Bantu Education Act have completely deprived South Africans of the most basic civil rights.
However, the resolute and brave South Africans have made a feat that shocked the world against this century-long foreign oppression. Since the 1950s, the nationalist movement in South Africa has kicked off, and the black leaders of South Africa, such as the Nobel Peace Prize winner Bishop Tutu and Mandela, who are now praised by the world, have successively awakened the people's awareness of resistance and led the people through strikes, Non-violent movements such as disobedience and non-cooperation demand the abolition of racial discrimination and the achievement of racial equality. The now well-known non-violent protest movement is an effective way for civil society to fight tyranny. Citizens have the right to express their opinions on the streets, and the purpose of street movements is not only to express demands and call for more people to participate. At the same time, it is necessary to gain the attention of the media and the international community. Therefore, shouting memorable slogans or artists participating in performance art performances is particularly effective to increase media attention. However, the most eye-catching may be the collective chorus. For example, in my country During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the "March of the Volunteers" composed by Nie Er was the loudest song in the civil movements of all sizes. In South Africa, Rodriguez's songs have been used in protest movements, and his "Cold fect" is an album that inspires people to think independently. After listening to it, I began to think about the meaning of freedom and resistance. A record store owner nicknamed "Old Sugar" in the film described it this way: We didn't know what "anti-establishment" meant, until Rodriguez sang it, we didn't know that we can disagree with the current society. Rodriguez in the eyes of South Africans reminds me of another similar story, which happened in the Czech Republic in 1968. At the beginning of that year, a political democratization movement began in the Czech Republic, known as the "Prague Spring." At the same time, the Soviet Union declared that the "Prague Spring" was an anti-socialist coup, while Marta Kubisova, the most famous Czech singer at the time, thought it was a "big lie", The Beatles classic "Hey" heard on the radio The lyrics of "Jude" were adapted into a dialogue between two teenage girls. The content is about one girl encouraging another girl to face the cruel life bravely. Marta Kubisova wanted to inspire all her oppressed compatriots. Once this song appeared, it was welcomed by countless Czech people, and people rushed to buy records to learn to sing and experience the fearlessness and power passed on to them. By the end of 1989, the Velvet Revolution was victorious and the Czech Republic successfully transformed into a democratic country. "Hey Jude" was played everywhere. The people regarded this song as a candlelight in the darkest period. It not only warmed everyone's heart, It is also the driving force behind the entire country.
Every song and every cry has changed the world little by little, and it has also changed everyone's heart. From South Africa to the Czech Republic, these great singers have changed people's thinking and awakened people to look for it. Returning to the consciousness of independent thinking and free thinking makes people human; at the same time, their own destiny also changes, and the passage of time may make us forget them, but people's yearning for a better life and the pursuit of freedom remain unchanged. , as Rodriguez is sought out again - because they always sing the song of the opposition.
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