There are many albums that are new and trending in today’s music, though this was released in 1989, this album has a lot of value addressing social consciousness and social injustices. Students’ time here at Cabrini are involved with a strong following and mission of addressing the issues that are presented in the world. This album exemplifies that social injustices is still a modern issue no matter the time era. This is why this album still has relevancy.
Janet’s Rhythm Nation 1814 album has 20 tracks. Each track has a different message, which has many interludes that transitions into different messages. The intro of the album is an interlude that expresses the main idea of the entire album.
This interlude is called “Pledge,” which sets a mood to accomplish a mission. “We are a nation with no geographic boundaries. Bound together through our beliefs. We are like-minded individuals. Sharing a common vision. Pushing toward a world rid of color lines.” This particular line illustrates that we are in a world filled by so many rules and regulations that divide people instead of reuniting people, loving people, and having equality.
Several songs on the album really stand out more than other songs’ messages such as “State of the World,” “The Knowledge,” and “Living in a World They Didn’t Make” These are songs that make this album relevant. The song “State of The World” addresses the issues of homeless people and hunger. Here at Cabrini, we have ECG classes that talk about world hunger, homelessness, human trafficking that are connected to this song.
The knowledge addresses the ignorance that society seems to have. This song highlights defeat, ignorance, illiteracy, bigotry, and prejudices. Alluding that the exposure of the world-wide issues educates people. Learning information about issues helps us create a solution to the problem. Also stating that any information that we don’t know can have a bad impact on society. This creates the idea in the individual’s minds that you can defeat ignorance; if you educate yourself and rid the younger generations of prejudices and ignorance.
Cyante Young, psychology and criminology major, said. ” I love Janet Jackson so much she is queen and achieved a lot of things in her career. Her album “Rhythm Nation 1814,” I’m not to familiar with. I do know one song, “Rhythm Nation” I do know was about creating a military force to combat equality. That was the symbolism behind the song and video.”
Another fan of Janet Jackson is a student Keziah Brown, undeclared major, says that Janet’s legacy in her music is crucial to world improvement. “I remember when I was little, I would always use to listen to Janet’s music. As a kid, I knew that it was something that was being translated to me. My favorite album isn’t “Rhythm Nation” but definitely is in the top three of my favorites. I want to talk about her “Velvet Rope” album briefly. That album is iconic because it talked about loving yourself, domestic violence and homophobia. Which relates to her “Rhythm Nation” motifs.”
In the song, “Living a World They Didn’t Make,” explains how children are the main source of why the world has many issues regarding prejudices and hate. In this world, children are the future and are key to making a better world. The song emphasizes the causes of the cycle of world issues. It breaks down how adults who are prejudice and ignorant teach kids their practices. This is very relevant in today’s world. If adults keep teaching children how to hate, how can you expect change?
Overall this album is a very outstanding album. Though the album is old, the message of the album is still relevant in today’s world. Today we are still battling world hunger, education, homeless issues, poverty, prejudices, and discrimination. This album can illustrate a lot of issues that Cabrini can teach in our ECG classes or in clubs. It’s very critical that people in our world understand the importance of understanding that in complete darkness we are all still the same. It’s only our knowledge and wisdom that separates us.
