Thursday, May 31, 2012
Made in America
Since we have a Black president, many people claim that race relations in America are equal. Kanye, Jay Z, and Frank Ocean have collaborated on a song about the status of race relations in America.
What do you think they are trying to say? Do you agree with them? What do the images of the gang members bring to mind? What do you think the images of the people wearing a mask? Are they hiding something or just celebrating? Who do you think they are giving credit to for their own success?
[composed by Blog Group 5]
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I felt the song was about how African Americans have broken through much of the prejudice and are now able to succeed at the highest level. At the same time, I found the video almost contradictory to the songs message as I feel it reinforces many stereotypes that many people have of African Americans such as that most of the men are gangsters who wear baggy clothes, smoke, and drink. I understand its a rap video but i felt it undermined the positive message of the song.
ReplyDeleteMany scenes show that African Americans smile and enjoy the feast. It may convey the message how they feel now and how much they are same with other races. I strongly agree what artists say and want to encourage them. It is not just a hiding truth and pretend something, but shows the process how Africa Americans live lives.
ReplyDeleteI felt saddened by this video and the song. This song is talking about African Americans and the lifestyle that live on a daily basis. The argument for the song is to not blame the people who are raised into these lifestyles, but to blame American society for creating such a mess. Look at these people! The represent gang life and "thuggging" as if it was the only thing they know. Its saddening that most African Americans in the the urban areas think that this is a way of life and that it is the only life to live. It is though upward mobility has lost touch with the African American race. 400 years of oppression has swept the race, and yet African Americans have forgot those troubling times and struggles. What will it take for my people to wake up? While I can agree that the African American community is a product of America, I cannot agree that African Americans should just lay in there own vomit. This video just pinpoints the status of the African American community and the U.S. as a whole.
ReplyDeleteWell, I agree that this song is telling something to encourage African Americans to be confident of being themselves and hold a active attitude of prejudices that the major society gives to them. I think the people in the video are pretty positive about life. At least they look like they are confident of themselves and respectful of their life. But when I see it again, I would probably guess this maybe a an illusion that they hide their real emotions deep into heart and pretend to laugh because they want to hide their inferiority in front of the public. Maybe this is the meaning of makes that they wear in the music video. I feel like that even in today's society, prejudice still exists among Americans. So they are actually not as happy as they look like. So I guess they are hiding something instead of just celebrating. It's sad and upset to see this phenomenon and unequal situation between white and black.
ReplyDeleteI'm in agreement with DMC on my thoughts towards this video. It seems that the song is about how African Americans can be successful and make their own way, just as anyone else in America. What I don't understand however, is the constant showing of people in the video throwing up gangsigns and drinking hennessy. What is the purpose behind showing that and in what way is that related to African Americans making their way and establishing a successful life in America? I also did not understand the showing of all white police officers throughout the video. I'm not sure what direction the creator of the video was going, but to me it somewhat just brings up another distinction between white and black Americans in the United States. It's kind of stereotypical in my opinion, portraying the black people as "gang members" and all the whites as cops..I liked the song lyrics, but I do not think the video fits well with what Kanye West & Jay-z are trying to get across.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with DMC, however I find a couple aspects of the video interesting. For example, the song is talking about being made in America yet all the footage they have is from a Jamaican festival it seems. I don't know if this was on purpose and if it was then I'm not sure what they meant by it. another interesting aspect of the video was that all of the footage was of African Americans except for when they showed footage of the police who were all white. to me they are saying that there is still an imbalance of race in America.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the police thing, I didnt exactly understand what that was supposed to mean, or if it was just some sort of coincidence.
DeleteOne thing that was interesting to me was that on the beginning of the 2nd verse, Jay-z pledges his allegiances to his grandmother rather than America which we can assume that he is placing his family above all any allegiances to America and races.
ReplyDeleteWhile I think the song conveys a great and encouraging message, the video is absolutely terrible to go along with the lyrics. The lyrics, to me, say that there were people who paved the way for African-Americans to succeed. Then goes on to say how Afican-Americans are able to be happy and achieve their goals. I think that the video is awful, it shows gang members drinking and smoking, women in bikinis, and white police officers. I think that this is putting forth the message that African-Americans can't succeed. I do think that their are still racial biases holding people back to a degree, but I agree that things have gotten much better for all races to achieve their dreams.
ReplyDeleteI think the song is portraying that times are changing. I think that African Americans arent always viewed the same as in the past (gang members,drinking,smoking etc.)but also they are making judgement on themselves example smoking and drinking. I thought it was a little weird that the cops were all white and all the gang members were African Americans. I think they are saying that they cant succeed because they are living up to what they are being portrayed to be.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that this video is poorly made. It seems to be just some random shots by a non-professional guy of the celebration without focusing on expressing any important message. Disregarding the video, however, I think the race condition is getting better and better. What is most important is that people like black people and other ethnic groups have to treat themselves equally as white people because they have already accepted us to a great extent. Sometimes it is just ourselves that think we are unequally treated. Have confidence and embrace the diverse world. Then life is gonna be beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI agree. As long as we have a postive atittude towards life, it will be a lot easier to fit in and get respected. Embrace the world and it will give you big surprise.
DeleteI'm really not sure what it is that Jay-z and Kanye are trying to say. In the lyrics of the song they are praising the icons of the Civil Rights Movement for giving them freedom and legitimacy as a people. The video though only shows predominately lower income black people fulfilling all the negative stereotypes that they are associated with. It almost feels like the artists are trying to thank the activists of the 60s for the right to abuse drugs and participate in gangs.
ReplyDeletedo feel it is a song about minority group, this song target African American and the discrimination they face. While,for many years black are fighting for the equal right and now everyone is equal in the law but they is still big difference in daily life between black and white such as income and education. I do not think this is a good vedio. I can get the main point but i can not feel anything new or attractive tome. They just repeat the old thing.
ReplyDeleteI think the point of the video is to show off black culture in America and express a sort of thank you to the people who made it possible. It also shows how proud the artists are of their country. I also hate how everyone thinks that all the people in the video are thugs or gangsters. For all I know, all the people portrayed could be nice and genuine people, but because they are black you assume they are thugs?
ReplyDeleteAlthough America used to be a hard place to be for a lot of races at some point in time, this video is saying that now it is easy for anyone to live here and easy to be happy here. It praises some of the people that helped bring it to this state. I agree that America has come a long way in even only 50 years. People's opinions are starting to change toward equality and although there may not be total balance yet, it is pretty close and only bound to get closer.
ReplyDelete