Humanitarian solidarity in the lyrics “We are the world” by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie: A sociology of literature study

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the representation of humanitarian social reality in the song We Are the World by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie through the sociology of literature approach. The study focuses on how the song reflects humanitarian values, solidarity, and social responsibility through its lyrics. This research employs a descriptive qualitative method using the sociology of literature, particularly the sociology of the work, as the analytical framework. Data were collected through documentation and library research and analyzed using the interactive model of Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña. The findings reveal four major representations of humanitarian social reality in the song: collective solidarity, concern for social suffering, a call for collective action, and the social function of the song as a medium of public awareness. These findings indicate that the song not only reflects social reality but also encourages empathy and humanitarian concern among listeners. In conclusion, We Are the World functions as a popular literary work that possesses aesthetic, social, and educational value while promoting humanitarian awareness and collective responsibility.