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The lyrics from "Living For The City" by Stevie Wonder. Analyze the lyrics and tell me what was Stevie Wonder's message in his lyrics, and tell me what do you think was happening at the time of him writing this song. Use quotes from the song and other facts you have learned in this class to support your answer.

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Answer:

Jn his song "Living for the City", Stevie Wonder tells the story of a young black man who leaves his small town in Mississippi in search of a better life in New York City. However, he soon finds himself caught up in the cycle of poverty and crime. He is framed for a crime he didn't commit, and is sentenced to ten years in prison. The song is a powerful indictment of racism and inequality in America. It was written in the early 1970s, a time when the Civil Rights Movement was still in full swing. The song reflects the frustration and anger that many African Americans felt at the time.

Here are some quotes from the song that support this interpretation

1. "B,roke down and kicked in the head

Just like a dog, he was treated instead

Then he woke up in a cell

An' he remembered he was framed"

2. "Living for the city, he could not believe

That in this land of plenty, he could barely survive"

3."And as he stood on the street corner, he thought to himself

'This ain't livin', this ain't livin' at all'"

The song is a reminder that racism and inequality are still very real problems in America. It is a call for change, and a reminder that we must continue to fight for a more just and equitable society.

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