“Black bodies swinging in the southern bree” ("Strange Fruit."). Those lyrics displayed are just one of few that would change the jazz industry and how America though in the 1900’s.  The song strange fruit was famously performed by Billie in 1939 ("Strange Fruit.").  This song was a call to action that the world and communities need to come together and fight for equality and stop the racism that was vivid in the south and other places as well. These numerous lynching that was going on had people on edge and Billie Holiday had to use her powerful voice to be heard about the “strange fruit” in the south.

Throughout Billie’s musical life she inspired many individuals especially in the south when she produced a song called “strange fruit” in 1939 was the first song that covered racism. When Billie performed this song it changed American music for the best. Although, Billie was afraid to sing this song she tackled this song ("Strange Fruit.").  This was a powerful movement because there were so many lynchings throughout the United States but individuals feared for their life and no one spoke out about this issue.

Strange fruit was originally written by a teacher Abel meerpol as a poem and was published in 1937 it protested American racism especially lynching’s throughout the south (“The Strange Story Of The Man Behind 'Strange Fruit”).  The song is a powerful song the lyrics paint vivid images in the minds of individuals.  While Billie performed this song she would sing it with her eyes closed as if she was saying a prayer ("Strange Fruit.").  After the initial popularity it fell into disuse for many years.  Without Billie Holiday and Abel meerpol the jazz industry and the United States would not change their ideas on racism and lynching throughput the south.