When we first started watching the Netflix documentary on Nina Simone, I was completely unaware of what to expect. When listening to some of her music that we had discussed in class, I deemed myself uninterested in her voice and music. However, when I started to watch the video, my thoughts surrounding her and her musical position changed completely. She was no longer a random and boring singer from back in the day, but rather, in my opinion, a pinnacle of strength.
Growing up she did not have intentions of writing and performing such controversial and powerful songs. Her dream was to be the first African American classical piano player. As years passed, her dream of becoming a poised classical pianist began to slip away. She turned instead to performing at bars during the late hours of the night. The music she was playing was no where near classical and when she was asked to sing in order to keep her job, she decided to change her name to Nina Simone. Too fearful that her mother would find out the type of place she was working at.
From there, her music and popularity skyrocketed. Issues surrounding the civil rights movement began to arise and become more prevalent. Her songs soon began reflecting the struggle that her people were facing. Her passion and honesty is what I believe made her so influential. Although, as time went on, the issues surrounding Blacks and Whites became more and more violent and heartbreaking. Against her husbands better judgement, she decide to pursue the cicil rights aspect of her music more so than the popularity and success.
I believe that her desire to make an impact quickly became an obsession. No matter how good something may be, when it is overextended or exhausted, it becomes ineffective and often destructive. It was completely heartbreaking to watch the documentary and see how someone so talented and influential can crumble before your eyes. I find that the things that make a persons heart ache, are often what inspires them to do amazing things. Nina Simone is just one example of the living proof. 
I agree with the fact that she wanted to make a change so badly that it quickly lead to an obsession that ultimately led to her destruction. She wanted to bring to peoples attention the oppression of her people, she wanted to be their voice and speak out for them and as a result that was all she could think about.
ReplyDeleteI definitely do think that Nina's desires did become an obsession. She seemed to almost go crazy. It's hard to imagine that something we feel so strongly about can actually consume and affect us negatively even when we had positive intentions. I agree with you that heartaches do inspire people to turn around and do amazing things. Nina truly is the perfect example for that.
ReplyDelete