The video our group has chosen is "Uncle Sam Goddamn" by Islamic hip hop artist 'Brother Ali'. For those of you not familiar with the artist; Ali Newman (born Jason Newman, 1977) is an American rapper, born and raised in the Midwest, who has been practicing the Muslim faith for over a decade. As an albino, Ali was often ridiculed by his classmates throughout his childhood and has frequently explained that, from an early age, he felt "most at home amongst African Americans." In this video he offers an extremely critical view of the United States, its Government and its people. The song, released in 2007, sparked controversy with Ali's sponsor, Verizon, and has been the the source of heated debate. The video uses some provocative imagery from American history and makes extensive use of violent themes and profanity -- however, we feel this is a perfect example of American identity in music culture and, therefore, an apt selection for this week's blog post.
The artist references "the overseers" (minute 2:10 - 2:20); who do you think there 'overseers' are to the artist?
The footage seems to focus on more controversial military conflicts in American history - such as Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan -- omitting footage like that of the Parisians cheering in the streets after their liberation by allied forces in World War II; why do you think this is?
You can find the lyrics here.
[post composed by Blog Group 1]
I can see why this video is controversial to many Americans. The video is depicted in a negative view of the American goverment and America's past. I feel that the video focuses on controversial military conflicts because it shows a split American view where the goverment had taken control and the people were upset. This shows the corrupt, greediness of the American government. While I am not positive who the "overseers" are to Brother Ali, I assume he is talking about people who tried to change America for the better, such as Martin Luther King, but they were "raped" along the way.
ReplyDeleteWhat really stood out to me in this video was the portion filmed at the Jefferson Memorial. I found Ali's choice of location to be ironic since Jefferson was both an anti-federalist and an abolitionist; yet Ali seems to lump him in with the power hungry pro-slavery establishment. I don't know if this was intentional or if Ali just does not know that Jefferson worked against the passage of the Constitution, which created the federal government that Ali is raging against. Jefferson also wrote in the original draft of Declaration of Independence that slavery was one of the grievances England had committed against the people of the United States; he stated that slavery was a violation of human rights. He also included a clause in a draft of the Virginia Constitution that outlawed slavery.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise I found this song and video to be a very good criticism of the United State’s treatment of those who challenge it both at home and abroad. I found the line about America learning from Rome to be especially enlightening, as the United States has now become a de facto empire with troops in almost every part of the world.
I can also see why this music video is controversial to many Americans. This video is only focusing on the negatives of America, and all the bad stuff that has happened from it's past, to it's future. It show's a lot of controversy with the military, like Natalie said, how greedy the American government can be. I also don't really understand who the "overseers" are either, but do agree with that it was those people who looked beyond America's imperfections, and tried to better America by speeches and rallies, but were taken down a long the way. Or as the song might say, "raped" a long the way.
ReplyDeleteThis song let me view the America through different way. As the singer using African-American rap music to illustrate American situation, I know USA now is a really strong country with deep rooted multiple culture. America went through numerous wars as american father brought force upone this continent a new nation. In the beginning, American fought for representatives, fought for freedom, fought for expansion of territory and abolition. However, as time passed by, the main reasons of launching wars changed-from for the benifit of people to the benifit of government or politacian. People bagan to doubt what is the real reason of these military actions, whether they fulfil their American dreams or not.
ReplyDeleteI feel that any video referencing the military or war is always going to be controversial. There are citizens who are very supportive of the military who would always back up war no matter what the cause or cost. Then there are those who think war is the worst possible way to solve a conflict. No matter what happens they think we should never fight a war because the cost of lives is too high. Although there are many more positions one can take on the subject of war, these two groups are going to be the most outspoken.
ReplyDeleteAgreeing with Natalie, I also see how this music video is an interpretation of a greedy, corrupt American government. My initial interpretation however, was that Ali seemed to be trying to show the "masked" or hidden side of America and their “dirty” past. I noticed, Ali is not only talking about the slave trade but also about the drug trade and possibly believes they both relate.
ReplyDeleteAs for the “overseers”, the two lines following that goes “Cause the children can’t escape from the pain//And they’re born with the pores and this hatred in their veins.” I think he is speaking about those after slavery and those who fought for equal rights, so that their children could have equal rights. I think he calls them “overseers” because they have passed and are overseeing their family; “raped” because they fought so hard for equal rights but even now, the majority of African-Americans live in poverty and there are still those in America who do not treat them as equals.
I can see why this particular song caused such a heated debate in our country. The song is made up of the negative aspects of our country, such as slaves, war, money issues, and more. Natalie brought up a valid point, regarding the greedy message incorporated throughout the song. The line that stood out to me was, "Welcome to the united snakes
ReplyDeleteLand of the thief, home of the slave." Snakes symbolize poison and sneakiness. By switching out states with snakes in the lyrics, I feel Brother Ali is describing America along those lines of not able to be trusted with money and other aspects such as war. As I stated before, only negative situations are brought up in the song of unhappiness and worry, so Parisians cheering, an act of joyfulness, in the street would be out of place (an anomolie.) After reading the lyrics around the part of the song discussing "the overseers", I have to agree with Taylor's response. I feel the overseers are the people who tried to make America a better place for America's future generations, and although they were trying to do good in our country, they were still treated with disrespect.
This is a very negative video towards the American government. It views Americans as fighting wars just for money such as the Iraq/Afghanistan war and how Americans stole the Native Americans land. That also relates to the lyric "Land of the thief". To me, the "overseers were people that were in the upper echelon of society that were also getting disadvantaged and paying high taxes.
ReplyDeleteI found this video to be both thought provoking and troubling. Ali does a fantastic job of creating an angry mood. The images, tone, and lyrics all relay the same message: America is an evil, horrible place to live and its leadership has committed violent and oppressive acts. He sticks to this message throughout. One of the problems is that Ali fails to lend any sort of balance to his indictment of America. He spews negative rhymes without even mentioning potentially positive attributes of the country he has called home for his entire life. Another problem is that, while he is very good at complaining about all that America has done, he offers no solutions or means by which it can rectify itself or by which people can reasonably combat this wrongdoing. Ali and I may share different opinions, but I believe that in the wrong context videos and rappers like Ali can elicit violent acts, hateful thinking, or retributive action that is neither thought out nor informed. Blind anger is never the best way to get a message across. And this is why Ali omits the positive: he feels it will weaken his argument, thereby negating the validity of his own viewpoints.
ReplyDeleteIn response to David’s comment, I do not think it is ironic at all that he staged part of his video in front of the Jefferson memorial. His entire video is about the hypocrisy of America and its leaders, which Jefferson embodied. As you mentioned, he was an ardent abolitionist and made many public statements against slavery, but in private he held many slaves and made most of his money as a plantation owner. His views on Native Americans were similarly contradictory: he seemed to admire them as a people yet during his reign as president he laid the foundation for their expulsion from the eastern United States. Jefferson is exactly the type of person that Ali is referencing.
This particular song is one which has caught my attention due to the fact that the artist is not the type that one would normally expect when listening to these types of songs; he is not an “American-basher, a “flag burner”, or a “dirty hippie”, but rather he is “just a guy” searching for a little of honesty concerning the truth about the history of the United States of America, and the implications that arise when taking into consideration “patriotism” and “corruption"-just like any other American citizen would be seeking and has the right to know about. On multiple occasions brother Ali is not apprehensive about the principles that are engraved within himself and by which he abides, and ones which he relies upon in order to put forth his argument that America has many secrets hidden “behind the scenes”, justifying that all that looks so beautiful may not be what it seems, but rather, as one might put into context, the “clean” surface belies the “dirty” mess that lies “inside”. "Uncle Sam Goddamn" is a litany of America's wrongs that ignite some serious thought, leaving the listener gasping for more answers and truth. Brother Ali mainly criticizes the inconsiderate and "irrational" move by the Government to involve the United States in wars such as the one of Iraq. He reprimands the fact that these wars are not technically and ultimately fought to benefit the general public, and their rights and standard of living, but rather they are fought for other purposes that may not be well known to the public but which are perfectly visible to the people "behind the scenes" who have some sort of connection with the Government, whether conspicuously or inconspicuously. Due to the fact that the Government has other purposes that are only meant to benefit only them in a secretive manner, brother Ali raps the following verse: "Welcome to the United 'Snakes'/Land of the thief, home of the slave." I agree with the fact that he is referring to the people who sacrificed their lives for the rights of the citizens of the United States when he mentions "overseers". He classifies these people as "overseers" due to the fact that their main intention was to oversee the prosperity and equality of future generations; however, the artist mentions that such rights are not visible as racism and other sorts of discrimination are still predominant within the nation.
ReplyDeleteI can see why this can be bothersome to many viewers. This music and music video shows the bad side of the United State that no one wants to see or admit to. Even in the lyrics, it actually is the truth when you think about it.
ReplyDeleteJust like Brooke,
"Welcome to the united snakes
Land of the thief, home of the slave"
stood out to me the most and it tells the truth.
Americans believe that America is the perfect place in the world, no wrong doings or USA didn't do anything wrong. No country is perfect.
I believe that the "overseer" are the ones that don't give a damn and just watch the whole thing just happen.
The USA been through genocide, segregation, murders, wars, you name it. Ali pointed out every flaw there is in the USA and the people need to accept the truth.
All i can say is wow. This song seems to be a very opinionated one. This rapper has a lot of negative things to say about the US. His anger might have to do something with his background and the way he feels the the United States government treats those people. While it is an enumerated American right to have freedom of speech, I can definitely see why this song created much controversy. He speaks about slavery in American history, which of course was not America's greatest moment, but many empires in history have had moments that they aren't proud of. This rapper just seems to have a lot of anger towards the US, and it makes me wonder why exactly. The visual aspect of this video was also very thought provoking, overall this was an very interesting song to listen to and see someone else's perspective of the United States.
ReplyDeleteBrother Ali offers a breath of fresh air to hip hop music; generic songs speak of drugs, sex, and money, but Ali catches us by surprise. What makes music so powerful is that it give Ali a voice to vent his opinions, feelings, and frustrations. Of course this song is going to be seen as controversial and viewed as radical and Un-American. Frankly its because we're such a proud nation and don't want to be told about our mistakes and screw ups, it's embarrassing. The lyrics are deep and have so much meaning, it really made me stop and think. "Only two generations away from//
ReplyDeletethe Worlds most despicable slavery trade" should be an eye opener to us all. Yes, we're a very powerful nation, but we don't know everything. Slave trade was horrible and should not be forgotten about. I really enjoyed this!!
I think this song/music video would be very controversial to many patriotic Americans. You dont have to look past the first line for proof of this. Ali says that America is "land of the thief, home of the slave". I agree with many peoples statements that he is choosing to show America's negative past. Displaying many clips of war, blood, and graveyards. I think Ali is trying to portay that many Americans are more or less brain washed. The government has people doing whatever they want, willing to go to war whenever the government wants, even if there are many people in the country that believe it is not the right thing to do. Ali does a very good job of getting his point acrosse in his music video and his lyrics. He may be a little harsh in some area's in my eyes but overall i think he makes many good points in his lyrics.
ReplyDeleteInteresting response from David Baker, I really enjoyed learning about Jefferson (I had no idea he actively opposed slavery before our nation even began).
ReplyDeleteI found it interesting that the video footage often would pan back and forth between the streets of the Middle East and the slums of our cities here in the U.S., to me that said a few things about our choices as a nation. If we had spent as much time and money as we did fighting a war imagine what we might have accomplished here in our own land with neighbor hoods desperate for a need for repair! I also liked Ali's use of time to compare how we fund the corrupt activities of our global actions by "paying for this by working 3 months a year". With taxation it isn't completely unrealistic to look at in this scope of working for a quarter year for free so to speak.
I am pretty critical of this song. I am not opposed to all criticism of the United States obviously, but this specific song seems so negative. I don't like the tone, it doesn't seem encouraging. To me, it just seems to be putting us all down. The US has come a long way since the slave trade to which he references. Every society has issues, and it is pretty apparent when looking at other countries that we have less than most. If Brother Ali hates this country as much as he makes it seem in this song, I don't see what is keeping him here.
ReplyDeleteI think that this video is very rebellious. The thing that I like about it is that the artist did not choose to bite his tongue when creating the lyrics to the song. I feel like this is an excellent way to portray not only the positive critique on America but also the negative. The line that I loved the most was the play on the national anthems lyrics land of the free home of the brave, which he replaces snake with brave. I feel that although this makes a lot of Americans uncomfortable it is most necessary to have.
ReplyDeleteThis video is very shocking to me. I had to watch it without sound and the imagery is extremely strong. When it was explained that Brother Ali related most to African Americans growing up, it is obvious after watching this video. He shows the brutalness of what the African Americans were put through in a dark time of our country's past. All of the images depicted in this video are somewhat related to how the government is lacking in this country. I think it was a great way to show american society in its past and today because a lot of these same feelings are shared with a lot of americans today.
ReplyDelete