Artists often place some aspects in their music videos that communicate volumes on specific issues. Even though these ideas or messages may be used consciously or unconsciously, they serve as a stepping stone to understanding certain elements that underpin the intended message though not directly conveyed. The song “Where is the Love” by The Black Eyed Peas is a music video with ideas and messages on racial/ethnic identity embedded within. It was released in 2003 as a group of singers came out to question the 9/11 attacks. Its primary objective was to pass the message that the U.S. Government needs to withdraw its troops from Iraq. Nonetheless, the song goes beyond this thematic concern and presents vital aspects relating to the issue of racial identity.
Through the video, there is a poster with a red question mark and is enclosed in a white frame on a black piece of paper. The message behind this poster is that of equality when racial identity is in question. The black paper represents the black people while the frame represents the whites (Black Eyed Peas). However, the red question mark is a representation of the blood within every individual. As humans, it is elementary to identify as white or people of color without realizing that we are all the same internally. Regardless of race, every individual has red blood, which does not change. This is put as a question mark in the video to elicit thought by the viewer whether or not they acknowledge and embrace this universal feature or whether skin color is their primary concern. This poster underpins this message adequately and is a viable visual text for discussions on racial equality.
Additionally, the music video presents the message on racial discrimination through its visual. A young black man is chased down the streets and arrested by the police simply because he seems suspicious (Black Eyed Peas). Worse still, the man is chased by a fellow black officer. This shows that racial discrimination is not all about different races but also within the racial identities themselves. In most cases, there has been the assumption that bias only arises when a black man’s rights are infringed upon by a white person due to their color. Even though this is the most common cause of discrimination, blacks in positions of power also discriminate against their fellow blacks even when they are expected to champion their rights as they have the same identity. In the presence of a dominant culture, such blacks often act with power and privilege against their people. This is another reason why the authors pose the question, where is THE love?
Into the bargain, the notion of urgency and fear that revolves around ethnic identity is presented in the video. The individuals who are seen putting up posters are seen running and watching their backs if someone spots them (Black Eyed Peas). They seem fearful of being seen or identified as revolutionaries fighting against racism and other associated malpractices. This holds the message that the battle for and against racial identity is not easy and calls for strength and confidence. This shows just how much specific rights are stifled upon by the government. They cannot come out and identify as people of a given race as they might be denied opportunities based on this or even be treated as lesser members of the society. Therefore, to survive in a racially discriminate world, one has to hide their true desires and identities. This is especially seen by most black people in the streets wearing sweaters with caps that cover even their faces which underpins this trauma in the quest for identity.
Moreover, the role of religion in racial identity is presented in the video. As the video comes to an end, the characters are seen looking at the sky. This represents the desire to get help from God in heaven in addressing the issues described in the song, including racial identity (Black Eyed Peas). In most cases, religion acts as a unifying factor, and it can always unite people or lead to disunity when it is not handled right. In this clip, the people seem together as they look up for unity. This shows that when such factors as religion are appropriately used to united people, then such issues as disparities in identities will not be issues of great concern. Moreover, it underpins the fact that despite our uniqueness, we owe it all to a universal being who should be our point of reference in determining our preferences and cultures towards peaceful coexistence.
As presented in this analysis, various visual texts often have messages and ideas that are not explicitly depicted. Such statements may be implied or even hidden in one way or another. Like in the song, there are various messages on racial identity that require in-depth analysis to identify and make meaning. This is why it is essential to always stay on the lookout for any elements used by authors or producers in given texts as they have more meaning in them than the words used in the given visual. Such analyses should be prioritized in understanding art that present social issues as they provoke a viewer’s instincts on the problem leading to the development of personal touch and a long-lasting impression.
Work Cited
“The Black Eyed Peas – Where is the Love: Official Music Video.”YouTube, uploaded by Black Eyed Peas, 2009. Web.