2 Equals 12

2 Equals 12

Topic: 'Strange Fruit'

"Strange Fruit" is a powerful and haunting song that was written by Abel Meeropol, a Jewish high school teacher from the Bronx, in 1937. The song was famously recorded by Billie Holiday in 1939 and has since become a significant symbol of the ongoing struggle against racism and violence towards Black Americans.

The lyrics of "Strange Fruit" vividly describe the lynching of Black Americans in the South, with words like "Black bodies swinging in the Southern breeze" and "strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees." The term "strange fruit" refers to the bodies of lynching victims, who were often left hanging from trees as a form of public spectacle and intimidation.

Billie Holiday's recording of "Strange Fruit" brought national attention to the horrors of lynching and the systemic racism that pervaded American society. The song's stark imagery and emotional delivery made a profound impact on listeners and helped to galvanize support for the civil rights movement.

"Strange Fruit" remains a poignant reminder of the brutality and injustices faced by Black Americans throughout history, and its legacy continues to resonate today as a powerful protest against racism and violence.