It is very interesting that you brought up such topic in today's time.
The 1980s was a time when boundaries were being pushed and walls were being broken down.
I was a kid in the 80s when our biggest national revolution happened in 1986. It was called The People Power Revolution which toppled our dictator president Marcos. I believe that became a world histoty. Prior to that, he reigned for decades with his martial law and sent people to prison if they express protest. One of those who were sent to prison was our famous folk singer Freddie Aguilar.
Freddie composed and performed many critiquing songs against Marcos government at that time. Here is one of those songs. It was performed in our language but is basically questioning the nation's leader.
When I learned about people being imprisoned just because of their songs, I wondered how national leaders can be so powerful but do not want critics.
Great compilation of songs you got there. Those songs may have been forgotten now but they still form part of history that led to today. And to your point, we may not have much of something like these today but we still see injustices here and there. Maybe more meaningful songs like before can help re-instill values to people.
Thanks for your interesting comment @macoolette. I remember the People Power revolution vividly, and Cory Aquino. We followed it on the TV news - it was such a huge event. But I didn't know about Freddie Aguilar. If governments can't bear criticism, then you know they are wrong. Governments can only be healthy if protest and criticism is allowed.
News about Freddie Aguilar was certainly not in the open that time due to martial law. Most people came to know about his case only after the Marcos regime ended.
Yeah, how I wish governments are indeed for the people and not for power...