How do the lyrics of Letter to the Free reflect the cultural, social and political context of the time?
In the letter to the free we know that it is a result of a message towards the 13th Amendment and to show that racism is still happening, politically there is nothing that's being done to resolve it. Common portrays the cruel legacy of slavery and mass incarceration "Slavery’s still alive, check amendment 13”.
How does this work present the artist?
This presents the artist as an influential speaker who is talking for the black community. Cultivation theory could mean that the more people understand the meaning of the song, the more people will start fighting against racism - then that’s when they’ll start realising that racism is still happening and that as a community and together “will U.S ever be us”. This connotes that coming together and becoming ‘us’ is what will help this.
In addition Stuart’s Hall reception theory - dominant reading may be that the artist wants us to see the true meaning and how slavery is still going on, how the black community don’t fit in. Gilroy’s theory also states this - that black people feel as though they don’t fit in anywhere. Common is presenting this through his song.
This presents the artist as an influential speaker who is talking for the black community. Cultivation theory could mean that the more people understand the meaning of the song, the more people will start fighting against racism - then that’s when they’ll start realising that racism is still happening and that as a community and together “will U.S ever be us”. This connotes that coming together and becoming ‘us’ is what will help this.
In addition Stuart’s Hall reception theory - dominant reading may be that the artist wants us to see the true meaning and how slavery is still going on, how the black community don’t fit in. Gilroy’s theory also states this - that black people feel as though they don’t fit in anywhere. Common is presenting this through his song.
(Refer to Cultivation Theory and Reception Theory.)
How does this differ from Billie Jean?
In Bille Jean there are links to media/film industry as he uses as he uses a film set or his location and perhaps Jackson is crtical of the paparazzi looking for stories when there are none
In Bille Jean there are links to media/film industry as he uses as he uses a film set or his location and perhaps Jackson is crtical of the paparazzi looking for stories when there are none
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