Farah Griffin discussed Billie Holiday's protest song, "Strange Fruit," on PBS

Farah Griffin discussed the enduring power of Billie Holiday's protest song, "Strange Fruit," at PBS.

Today, “Strange Fruit” is the crown atop Holiday’s legacy, a protest song known for its haunting lyrics, brought to life by an uncompromising performer.

“She was willing to risk [her success] to express her own form of political protest,” said Farah Jasmine Griffin, chair of the Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies at Columbia University. “I don’t think we would have ever heard of [“Strange Fruit”] if Billie Holiday didn’t sing it.”

Rest of article: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/why-were-drawn-to-billie-holidays-story