Artists who achieve fame often use their wealth and influence to address social issues and bring about change. These efforts can stir controversy and accusations of tokenism and virtue signaling. The assignment calls for you to write a report on one such attempt: a musical project to help preserve a dying indigenous language by New Zealand singer Ella Yelich-O’Connor (aka Lorde), a multi-talented artist who has won two Grammys.
In 2021. she recorded five songs from her English-language album Solar Power in a Maori language EP working with Maori activists who helped translate not only the words but cultural and religious references. Their goal is to encourage use of Maori in society and promote its study in schools. However, some critics questioned the legitimacy of the effort by an artist who has European roots and does not speak the language.
Here’s a live performance in London with Maori singer Marlon Williams performing Stoned in the Nail Salon in the Maori language. Start at the 3:00 minute mark. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwXVFFDItCo
This NBC News story on Sept, 22, 2021, provides an in-depth look at Lorde’s project and the reaction. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/scenes-lordes-mini-album-mori-new-zealands-indigenous-language-rcna2146Links to an external site.
Here is a critical view from a well-known Maori cultural figure in New Zealand: https://thebigidea.nz/stories/tokenism-in-full-force-my-take-on-lordes-albumLinks to an external site.
1. Write a balanced report of at least 500 words summarizing the issues and providing quotes from both Lorde and the critic.
2. You should provide detail, examples and context (e.g,. the Native Schools Act of 1867Links to an external site. mentioned in the NBC story that led to physical punishment of school children).
3. List two things you learned from this assignment and give your view on whether Lorde’s project was helpful.