Strange Fruit: Billie Holiday's Protest Against Racial Terror

Examine the haunting origins of 'Strange Fruit,' from Jewish schoolteacher Abel Meeropol's poem to Billie Holiday's powerful rendition that became an anthem of the anti-lynching movement. The episode details the dangerous consequences Holiday faced for performing the song, including FBI surveillance and harassment. We explore how this revolutionary protest song challenged the music industry's comfort with racial inequality and became a catalyst for the civil rights movement, while also analyzing its continued relevance in modern discussions of racial justice. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.