There is no doubt that this video holds a huge ideological message that is the true indifference of the two cultures and the fight for equality and freedom. The music video is a direct response to the stereotypical, down right racist views of the Trump administration which ruled America until Trump impeachment in 2021. Whilst the video is considered to be a hybrid with the images of the singer as well as a real life message. The image of the white man wearing his Make America Great Again hat could be symbolic as a reference code to the institutional racism of Trumps Republican party. Perhaps our antagonist of the video is a symbol to show just how divided America was. Or maybe he is a symbol of the status-quo in America. Then, the part where the antagonist stands up could be a reflection of the power dynamic between this minority culture and the status-quo.
The line " Maybe we should build a wall to keep the Mexicans out, Maybe we should sent them to the ghetto for now" Joyner Lucas is referring to Mexicans doing all of the grunt work and he is saying maybe you should take their place and we will send the Mexicans to the ghetto. This line is a direct comment on the stereotypical view which is mentioned throughout the video that is the black minority do not try to find a job but instead let everybody else do it for them which then refers back to the line "You keep living of free government assistance, Food stamps for you children." The music video later uses juxtaposition to highlight the reality of a black man trying to find a job in a minority country with the line "Trying to find a job but nobody call me back, Now I have to sell drugs".
The images of the room refer to the state of America under the Trump administration, the room is derelict and falling apart. This connotes the true sense of divide that Trump brought with his presidency.
The video then highlights the true discrimination of the culture through the lines "You ride Tupac's dick like he was a god" This attack on black culture shows the lack of regard for the history of the culture. This is seen again through the line "Take that durag off then the police would stop killing you" Once again this is an attack on the black culture and shows just how stereotypical these republican "trump lovers" actually see the issues facing a black man in America.
The line "Kneeling on the field that's a flag down" refers to American football players taking the knee at games to show solidarity with the black lives matters movement and could be seen as a referential code to Donald Trumps tweet "Ratings for NFL football are way down except before game starts, when people tune in to see whether or not our country will be disrespected" This once again reinforces the complete disregard for all BLM are fighting for. This disregard is seen in the music video through the use of close up shots of Joyner Lucas's face - the shots show the true pain he goes through whilst listening to the republicans views. and that pain turns into anger as we see for his verse, he flips the table in distress. This scene also shows the true dedication and solidarity the singer has for the movement for equality.
However, we see a possible resolution as the song transitions to the second verse through the tranquillity of the music - there is a potential for change. This hope for change is swiftly shattered through the scene were the make America great again hat is slapped of and the table is flipped. This once again highlights the devotion to the cause that Joyner Lucas has. The unbothered expression of the republican shows the disrespect of the chance of change that was brought around with the Trump administration.
Furthermore, as the video progresses, through the close up shots, we see the change in ideas as the republicans face begins to tear up. This is followed by a tense standoff and then a hug. This could connote that the change is possible, and Americans can become more acceptant of all cultures.
After the song finishes, is displays the text "We are all Human until race disconnected us, religion separated, politics divided us and wealth classified us." I feel like this quote perfectly sums up the music video. It reviles the real ideological message of Joyner Lucas, that we can all live together, we can put asides our differences and live equally.
Overall, I believe that this video hold one true purpose which is that change in America is needed and wanted by the black community, The idea that these age old stereotypes must be broken and that change must be recognised in order for the black community to thrive and live side by side with the white majority. However, this change is limited as a result of religion, politics and wealth.
Comentarios