Donate
  • About
  • Rent College Pads
  • Advertise
  • Privacy
Search
News
Opinions
Sports
Classifieds
Comics
BMA
Events
Subscribe

Monday, January 30, 2023
Print Archive

Eastern Echo
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Comics
  • Podcast
  • BMA
  • Events
  • Classifieds
  • Search
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Comics
  • Podcast
  • BMA
  • Events
  • Classifieds
Search

Subscribe to the Echo

Donate to The Echo

You can support the Echo by donating through the EMU Foundation and selecting to apply your gift to a specific fund. Any of the funds listed below will provide support to the Echo.

01049 -- EMU Echo Editor Endowed Scholarship:  Provides financial support for the current EMU Echo Editor.

02414 -- Scott Stephenson Eastern Echo Scholarship:  This expendable scholarship is for the benefit of student(s) in the School of Communication, Media & Theater Arts in the College of Arts & Sciences.  It will be awarded to a full or part-time junior or senior EMU student majoring in journalism and working for the Eastern Echo.  The student should be working to self-finance their education and not be eligible for need-based grants.

00825 -- Student Media Development:  Provides support for the Student Media program.

Thank you for supporting the Echo and EMU Student Media.

Give Now


6/23/2020, 7:40am

Review: Raury's new single "Take Back the Power" is fitting for these times

"Take Back The Power" is worth a listen.

By Fenrik Goerlitz
Review: Raury's new single "Take Back the Power" is fitting for these times

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Mail
  • Print

Raury, a multi-genre 24 year old musical artist from Atlanta, recently released a single titled “Take Back The Power.” As America limps through the ongoing global pandemic and has a light shone on institutionalized racism, there’s more and more hurt to go around every day. While it is easy to wallow in these times, and let them drown you, there are better ways to react. Singer and rapper Raury Tullis (known professionally as Raury) provides a beautiful example of a better way to react- take back the power. 

From the start, the song invites comparisons to artists/bands such as Rage Against The Machine. There is a sense of a movement that Raury is near the epicenter of, that he’s speaking for a group of people who are going to “take back power”. And while that movement will seemingly accept anyone willing to help them out, Raury makes it clear who needs to take back the power. Here’s an excerpt from the second verse: 

“Know what you took from me

Hah—aye

Know what you stole from me

Hah—aye

Know what you took from me”

Here are clear references to slavery, segregation, and the enduring racism Black Americans face today when taken in context to our current moment in history. There’s a sense of questioning that Raury puts forth, questions like 'Was it not enough to take my people from their home, enslave them, keep them under repressive laws, and brutally enforce segregation? Was it not enough for centuries to ignore the fundamental truth that all humans deserve equal human rights? How can that in any sane mind not be enough? Why do black Americans still face racism in everything from finding jobs, walking around cities, the incarceration system, education, shopping, and why do police officers continually target them because of their skin color?' 

Raury doesn’t bother with trying to answer the questions he raises. They’re not really worth answering. The plain truth made evident is that most are compliant, complacent and not willing to question centuries old prejudice or take a stand for what doesn’t affect themselves. Unlike many others, Raury doesn’t try to change these enabler's attitudes, he just sings “Know what you took from [...] know what you stole from me”. And why do people have to know what they took from him? Because,

“One day they'll come for you

Hah—aye

One day they'll come for you

Hah—aye

And on that day ouuu”

Raury’s past forgiveness, and trying to teach why racism isn’t okay. No longer will he ask people to care. Instead, biblical themes are invoked by suggesting that one day, those who have been prejudiced, and those who’ve allowed prejudice to continue, will be cut down. A day of judgement will come to pass. While this does make one think of God, and other religious figures, it also contains imagery of a mob. During revolutions, those in power who are defeated, are often executed. When people “take back the power”, they’ll come for those who held them down. Raury is prophetically telling those who sustain and support oppression that “one day they’ll come for you”.

Why does Raury come off so strong? He answers that question in the last half of the song. 

“No I cannot relate

Hah—aye

This place was never great.”

All in all, “Take Back The Power” is an empowering call to action. Raury executes it well, with tasteful lyrics and a good backing instrumental. I give this release 5/5 Swoops. 


Share



Related Stories

Sorority alumni strip their letters to demand action from national organization

By Sophia Kalakailo

Riot police surround the perimeter of Schenely Park during an anti-police brutality demonstration.

Opinion: Riots over George Floyd’s death won’t tarnish his legacy, they’ll cement it in history 

By Fenrik Goerlitz

Album artwork courtesy of Stereogum.

Kali Uchis drops four-song EP during self isolation

By Charles Post


The Eastern Echo welcomes thoughtful discussion on all of our stories, but please keep comments civil and on-topic. Read our full guidelines here.


Most Popular


1/24/2023, 8:00am

From tumbling to trending: EMU cheerleader gains 2.4 million views on recent TikTok

By Mackenzie Thompson

Eastern Michigan University cheerleader Olivia Fields' TikTok video at recent basketball game reaches 2.4 million views.


1/25/2023, 10:37am

Emoni Bates showcases superstar talents in Toledo; scores career-high 43 points


1/23/2023, 12:00am

EMU men's basketball game vs. NIU draws in record-breaking attendance


1/25/2023, 8:40am

Review: ‘Japanese Tales of the Macabre’ is a sad watch for anime fans


Podcast


11/10/2022, 11:35am

TheBlockE Podcast


11/8/2022, 11:35am

Student Interview: Pritish Kokate - The Eastern Echo Podcast Ep. 5


11/3/2022, 5:58pm

Special episode: EMU Journalism Professor Dr. You Li speaks with EMU alumni Nathan Bomey


10/27/2022, 6:03pm

Interview w/ Ronia Cabansag - The Eastern Echo Podcast Ep. 3


Tweets by TheEasternEcho
Eastern Michigan Echo To Homepage
  • About
  • Jobs
  • Freelance
  • Submissions
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Distribution

All Rights Reserved

© Copyright 2023 The Eastern Echo

Powered by Solutions by The State News.