“The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” the iconic song from the Band’s self-titled 1969 album, served as a starting point for the Jandoli Institute’s Nov. 16, 2020, forum on music and social justice. 

Presentation by Jandoli Institute Executive Director Richard Lee:

Commentary by Jack Hamilton, pop critic for Slate:

Commentary by Chris Mackowski, editor-in-chief of the Emerging Civil War blog:

Discussion: Do artists have an obligation to explain their songs?

Discussion: Are we erasing history?

Discussion: A musician’s perspective:

Discussion: Using an REM song as an example:

Songs, Statues and Solutions: Complete Program

Categories: Jandoli Institute, Pop Culture