For H.E.R. it’s about empowerment
In addition to making great music, H.E.R. wants to be an active citizen who empowers young people with information.
The Grammy- and Oscar-winning recording artist gets to do both in the new animated Netflix series, “We the People.”
Created by Chris Nee and produced by Barack and Michelle Obama, the 10-part series provides a range of civics lessons through three-minute music videos on topics that include the Bill of Rights, immigration, and the courts. It features award-winning artists Lin-manuel Miranda, Brandi Carlisle, Bebe Rexha, and others.
H.E.R. took on the “Active Citizenship” episode, writing and performing the song, “Change.” It deals with teaching young people to get involved with issues in the community by volunteering, writing letters to elected officials, and peaceful protest.
H.E.R. admits the idea to make music and educate seemed daunting at first.
“I was like thinking about all these topics and how can I make this, like, cool? And, you know, it just started off with just saying exactly what it is: ‘Wrote a letter to the mayor can you hear me out.’ Like how would we really have a conversation about this with somebody who doesn’t necessarily understand,” she said.
That made the process fun and gratifying — she was educating the viewer with important information.
The 23-year-old believes the importance of the subject matter lies in the lack of understanding many citizens have when it comes to the rights and duties of citizenship.
She hopes the collection of music videos in “We the People” will “share the knowledge, that hasn’t always been shared” when it comes to rights, privileges, and
responsibilities.
“We the People” premieres Sunday on Netflix.