How do the lyrics of Letter to the Free reflect the cultural, social and political context of the time?
Cultural context - How the American culture is so racist. Common portrays the cruel legacy of slavery, Jim Crowe and mass incarceration. Americas culture limits black opportunity and that they are bound for prison. "Sweet land of liberty, incarcerated country"- Juxtaposition emphasising curruption
Social context - They are trying to make it aware of how Racism has not disappeared in todays society but people just look the other way due to the internet and are distracted. There are hidden Jim Crow with targeting black people and making them seem like criminals. Links to Giylmor- Never fitting in and double coscienceness
Political context- The american system as a whole is corrupt and the music vid is trying to make that aware with lyrics like "Prison is a business, America's the company". its like a social microcosm treating America like the rulers and prison something thats an investment and something that mainly exploits black people in.
How does this work present the artist? (Refer to Cultivation Theory and Reception Theory.)
The work portrays the artists as trying to make awareness and demonstrating whats happening in todays socirty that really disadvantages black Americans. This refers to Cultivation theory because the more people watch this very catchy video the more they realise how black people are treated like criminals and something must be done. they are faceless humans and the artist is not singing to an audience on stage but to a brick wall again trying to portray the message of isolationism and unequality. They may be free but they are not really free. This also refers to Reception theory (Stuart Hall) of how we decode from the music video about the 13th amendment test not bringing full equality. we take that something needs to be done but only by us. its a really strong but dark powerful message.
How does this differ from Billie Jean?
Micheal jacksons video however is very different because it just shows how he is being followed by a white man but still is quite supierior because he is portrayed as a celebrity and separate from all other black people. but in letters to the free the artist is a representation of all black people and making awareness of all black people together as a fight for justice.
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