Common has been involved in a variety of other projects. For example, Common wrote the soundtrack for Glory alongside John Legend, and also starred in this film. Common has taken on a role as a musician and icon, that has enabled him to contribute to the diverse political issues in America.
2) What is the 13th Amendment of the American Constitution?
The 13th amendment to the United StatesConstitution provides that "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."
3) What were the Black Codes?
Black codes were restrictive laws designed to limit the freedom of African Americans and ensure their availability as a cheap labour force after slavery was abolished during the Civil War
4) Why do people suggest that the legacy of slavery is still a crucial aspect to American culture 150 years after it was abolished by the 13th Amendment?
It is still a crucial aspect to American culture because still in this day and age black people are still prejudiced against by mainly white people just because of their skin colour like how we see in this police shootings, wrong imprisonment of black people and just general violence, this shows how slavery could still be seen as a thing but just in a different way that doesn't go against the constitution.
5) Why was Ava DuVernay inspired to make the Netflix documentary 13th?
individuals still propose this as it was a colossal piece of their way of life is still there however in different structures as they are not treated a similar still in specific conditions.
6) Focusing on genre, what was the most significant time period for the rise in political hip hop?Hip hop as music and culture formed during the 1970s when block parties became increasingly popular in New York City, particularly among African American youth residing in the Bronx. ... Prior to the 1980s, hip hop music was largely confined within the United States.
6) Focusing on genre, what was the most significant time period for the rise in political hip hop?Hip hop as music and culture formed during the 1970s when block parties became increasingly popular in New York City, particularly among African American youth residing in the Bronx. ... Prior to the 1980s, hip hop music was largely confined within the United States.
Kendrick Lamar. I also think that Chance [the Rapper], though he may not speak in black consciousness, he has a consciousness about him, self-awareness and a spirituality. And I don't want to overlook that, because spirituality was something powerful in hip-hop.
8) What album is Letter to the Free taken from? What was the critical reception for this album? You'll need to research this - the Wikipedia entry for the album is a good place to start.
The song is from the album 'Black American Again' The album received widespread acclaim from critics "Although there's no hit to rival the Selma soundtrack epic, "Glory", and a reunion with its vocalist John Legend is the worst of furrowed-brow, gluten-free beat poetry, this is intelligent, impressive work.
Close-textual analysis and representation
Re-watch the music video several times to complete the following tasks in specific detail:
1) How does the Letter to the Free music video use cinematography to create meanings for the audience? (Camera shots and movement).
A lot of long shots suggests that everything is viewed from a distance also implies that they have no voice.
360 degree shots suggests that time has past however freedom is still needed. Shot of the writing " no excessive" conveys that everything said is meaningful.
2) What is the significance of the constantly moving camera?
The zooming in in the beginning emphasises the emotions the black artists are portraying. However in the end the camera starts to move out from the prison implying that black ppl are finally being liberated.
3) Why is the video in black and white?
The black and white suggests the conflict between the white and black race ; that the white Americans are more superior than Black Americans. The black and white is nostalgic for White Americans as they used to watch slavery videos in black and white and this reflects it.
4) How is mise-en-scene used to construct meaning for the audience - prison setting, costume, props, lighting, actor placement?
Hybrid hip hop/Jazz, positive black identity- subverts stereotypes. low key lighting which enhances its seriousness. African drums: celebrating afrocentricity- Black culture.
5) Focusing on the track, what are the key lyrics that suggest the political message of the song?
'Slavery's still alive, check amendment 13' which suggests that although the law was made 150 years ago, slavery still exists in the name of 'criminals' rather than directly referring to it as slavery.
6) What is the significance of the floating black square motif? Discuss your own interpretations alongside Common's explanation of it in the Billboard feature linked above.
I think that the floating black motif represents Black ppl are trapped in one square. In one scene you see the black square locked in a jail cell, this implies that black people are all represented in the same way. In contrast, another scene shows the black square motif outside the prison cell. This suggests every black person moves together as a pack and will always be one.
7) How does the video reference racism, slavery and the oppression of black culture? Make reference to specific shots, scenes or moments in the video.
It references them from 1.25 to 1.45 when the singer mentions how families were separated during slavery and how police still hold black people on suspicion and they get treated like criminals due to their colour.
8) How can Gilroy's idea of black diasporic identity be applied to Common's Letter to the Free?
The Letter to the Free is a great example, as Gilroy suggests that black music articulates diasporic experiences of resistance. Gilroy's theory can be applied to Letter to the Free as it is suggesting the message that black people still don't feel like they fit in due to race issues. to white capitalist culture.
9) What other theories of race and ethnicity can be applied to this video? E.g. Hall, Rose or Dyson.
Stuart Hall suggests audiences often blur race and class which leads to the association of races with certain social classes. Hall also suggests how western cultures are mainly white dominated and that ethnic minorities in the media are misinterpreted due to underlying racist tendencies.
10) What current events in America and worldwide are referenced in the song and video?
- Mass incarceration of blacks/non-white in the United States of America
- Racism within the government and police system
- Underlying tones of racism within contemporary America
- Equality black people face in America.
- racism
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