The debates over race and representation of African Descendants in films and video clips have been highly contentious for over a century. Throughout history, Blacks have generally been perceived and stigmatized as trouble makers, incapables, intellectually limited, inferior, lazy, irrational, hyper-sexualized, amongst the many other demeaning labels attached to them. These labels are connected to the history of colonization and, importantly, to the exploitation, perpetuation, and careful maintenance of stereotypes through cinematic clichés, which have imposed easily and significantly on the popular imagination. Avoiding such clichés is even more difficult in music video clips due to the commodification of Black bodies. How can singers portray Black people in a different light and denounce oppression?
Last week, we discussed Cultural Expressions and analyzed blackness and resistance in popular culture. Based on such discussions and respective readings (Stuart Hall and Angela Davis), your assignment is to choose one music video clip portraying Black people and answer the following questions:
– (Representation) Does the video show stereotypes that negatively impact the groups of people being represented? Or does the video show Black people represented in an empowered? Explain.
– (Black signifier) Is the perspective presented that of the dominant society, or is it the perspective of the people within the group? Explain.
– (Resistance) How can/could this video be used to address Black people’s oppression and/or liberation? Explain
In your text, you should:
– (10 points) Identify the video – provide the title, artist, and short description.
– (15 points) Answer the questions and develop your arguments. Engage with the readings from week 9.
– (5) Show adherence to academic writing. Your entry should be between 700 and 1000 words (times New Roman 12 / roughly one page single-spaced).
The assignment is worth 25 points. 10 extra points are available if you provide engaged and knowledgeable comments to two entries by your colleagues.
Have fun!
The video I have choosen is ApeShit by the Caters
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