The trailer to “Coming to you, Minu” reminds us of the important role that music plays in fights for migrant justice. Why do you think this is the case? How can we connect this question to the first reading you did in this course by Goffe, who also talked about the relationship between Chinese shopkeepers in Jamaica and music?
Music does play a crucial role in fights for migrant justice. When I saw this question, it reminded me the question for Individual Medium Post #2. Music is a form of cultural productions, it can express the creators’ ideas, show the unique identities and cultures of certain groups, and is also the communication and bonding between people. In this case of migrant justice, Minu’ s music expresses his ideas and feelings which are commonly shared by all illegal migrant workers. Like the song which is shown in the trailer, Payday, it expresses the excitement and thoughts a typical migrant worker has on his payday and shows a common situation for all migrant workers that they may not receive their pay for years. This can let many workers resonate. Therefore, Minu’s music could form a bonding of migrant workers, and through his music, migrant workers establish the communication in them, even though they may not speak the same language. Minu’s music helps them unite and give them power and chance to fight against the injustices they have. Moreover, Minu’s music let more people, like us, understand the unjust situation that migrant workers are facing. More people help migrant workers and join the fighting for justice.
In Goffe’s piece, Reggae music also helped people bond together. With the help of reggae, Chinese and local people held together, communicate with others, and form their unique identities and cultures.
