Although protest songs and songs intent on social change have a long and rich history in the United States, the last decade of the 20th century saw a marked decline in the tradition of socially conscious music and protest songs. However, the 9/11 attacks, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and, more recently, the Occupy Wall Street movement have provoked renewed interest in protest songs and those that promote social commentary. As in the topic above, pick a song — or songs — that actively address a contemporary social issue and you believe are or may be instrumental in bringing about social change. Describe the topic and its relationship to social change, then tell the reader how the song or songs addressed that topic, and, finally, offer an informed opinion as to the effectiveness of that song or those songs in bringing about social change.