This video seems to have an agreement that America is hypocritical. It frequently comments on the ideas that America doesn’t want certain things including terrorism and war however we are still having these issues. For example, America says we want to refrain from fighting several countries, meanwhile we are still sending troops abroad. This video is stating that America tends to make promises, and usually fails to fulfill them. The video continues to elaborate on the internal problems in the United States with drug dealing, gang wars etc.
The question marks in the video play an important role because it associates different things with problems. The question marks are representing the people of America asking the government for answers and reasons regarding their questionable actions. For example there is a question mark on a road sign, this might mean that there is problem with the direction in which we are taking our country. Another question mark is also on the flame of the statue of liberty, which could question the justice of our country. Also the fact that the questions marks are being placed by people from all different walks of life show that not just a select group of people want answers, but that everyone does.
To sum it up the whole video is questioning the actions the United States is taking, not just within our country but within the world as well.
-Rebecca Poser, Angel Algarin, Spencer Rogers, Josh Edington
13 comments:
This video is very interesting to compare to the videos by Phillip Defranco. While both video enumerate reasons why the world is going to hell in a hand basket, Defranco's video is meant more to inflame the watchers, in a hope to challenge them to act. However, those whom would react to this video would most likely just be irate and act like a useless troll. In the video by the Black eyed peas, theirs is more of a logical argument, about international issues that we all could improve upon. With a much more sedate appeal to the ethos of the populous than Defranco, there is more of guilt trip produced in their video, but with a hint of hope for the world that may more constructively motivate the masses to action.
The thing I find most interesting about the song in general is the rapping aspect of it. The fast beat suggests that the issues discussed in the song are urgent and a solution needs to arise. The fast pace could also suggest the severity of the problems. The media choice (song) also allows the issues to reach a bigger audience, along with the popularity of the band. The backs up singers also echo the words of the rapper, which both reinforces what he is saying and puts emphasis on the problems. The main refrain, “Where is the Love?” is also of interest. The question is never answered in the song really, which leaves two interpretations. The band could be asking us to find it, to go out and do something about the problems, but they also could mean it as a rhetorical question, one that is never going to get answered because there is no answer. Perhaps they are suggesting that these problems will never be solved.
To start, the time this video came out is what gets to me. When I was younger I loved to sing along with this song and never really understood what the lyrics meant. As I see kids singing the song that now is a theme song against the problems in America, I think of our generation. We used to be the children innocently, emptily singing the lyrics. Now we are the new generation able to fight back, fight in the war, and question our government.
As we grow out of our innocence, we can see our world is truly 'addicted to the drama' since we can't even turn off our TVs in order to study. As the question marks appear in more and more places, the people begin to look up in order to find their answer, as if the sky will do a better job at answering their questions.
I like how they were putting question marks on certain objects. It really made me think of the reasons behind it. One of the question marks was on the gasoline prices. Do we really know why gas is priced the way it is? Question marks were also on the pop bottles. Do we really know what is in that pop bottle? Just because foods and drinks are on the shelves, does it mean that it is safe to consume? At one point the rapper talks about how people are giving in to everything. We're not letting our opinions show enough. We should question about things we are unsure of. We shouldn't let things happen just because they have always been that way.
Wow i have never actually watched this music video but, I really liked it and it really does convey a strong message to Americans. In a nut shell America is not doing what they should be doing. It says were trying to stop terrorism but we still have it. All the question marks are Americans questioning why it is the way it is, like gas prices and Ameirican people in general. The chorus is especially meaningful because it says people killing people dying,children hurt and you hear them crying ect and they are asking where is the love? Why cant we just be loving poeple why is there terrorism, hate, discrimination and unecessary killings happening. Then they ask God to help send some quidence because we need to be lead in the right direction they need to be shown the light and show us how to love in stead of hate.
Discrimination, lies, animosity, greed, and selfishness control the country we live in today. We all know it's wrong yet we still hate, we still discriminate, and we still fight. America truly feeds off of the drama. I like how the Black Eyed Peas were brave enough to write this song and make this video to show the hypocracy of Americans. They offer a soltuion, though. They give us hope. We've heard since we were kids to treat others the way we want to be treated, to help whenever asked, and be caring, respectful people. If we "practice what we preach", if we truly care for the well-being of others, if we always tell the truth, then we will find love. We have to stop believing what we see on TV, and what we read in magazines. America is based on fairness, equality, and freedom. "Gotta keep faith alive til love is found."
The music video puts alot of emphasis on the kids. It's not the kids stealing, running from the police, starting war, being unjust, raising gasoline prices, etc, it's the adults. However, in the video, those kids are being raised in that environment, by those people, and you could see the kids watching the violence from their televisions in their very own homes. The Black Eyed Peas point out that we're raising the kids to think this is normal and natural when they should be our hope for the future.
I think this video is very inspiring because although so many people in the United States wish for peace, even citizens tend to be prejudice and hateful. We all seem to blame the government for so many things, but we as citizens should have a duty to treat eachother with respect and dignity. I believe if this was to happen, the United States could be a much better country.
I think that the fact that the kids are mouthing the words relates to the media putting words and thoughts into kids mouths and minds. But the video also shows a good side to that, and some influential media can be positive.
i find it interesting that the single man placing the question mark on a bus is so vehemently chased. if you consider the question marks as questioning the establishment, the government, or multiple other things, then the government is trying to stop the questioning and keep from answering. Also the continued reference to "father" shows that people do not expect help from the government and pray for it from their "father." finally at the endo of the video everyone is looking up as if their "father" is there to help.
This song has always been enjoyable and catchy to me, but I had never really thought about what it tryul represents until now. I like how this song encompasses so many current issues regardless of the fact that it was released in 2008. There is so much to learn from this video, and that is what makes it significant and appropriate in today's ever-changing society. As Americans, it would be ideal if we all took a moment to think about what is happening and then think about how we can make a difference. The Black Eyed Peas do a great job of incorporating music to make a statement about our world, which makes it easy for viewers to understand. I feel like the video's question marks suggest that we need to question the actions that we are taking each and every day.
One thing that really caught my attention in the video, and what we discussed in class was how everyone is putting the question marks up on things that were meant for everyone to see. It suggests that not only one person is questioning what is happening but everyone has the same question. Also how they are questioning every aspect in American culture today, the economy, politics, and culture. They do this by questioning what kids are doing such as playing violent video games. They question freedom and liberty with the question mark on the statue of liberty. They question the stock market as well. This all explains how every aspect of America can be questioned in different ways, and how the people can evoke change by encacting on those questions.
I think that this video wants to make a point about how America says that they believe in one thing yet will do the opposite. For example, we continue to send more unneeded troops while claiming that we want more peace. The Black Eyed Peas put the question marks in certain places that represent aspects of hypocrisy within our country. I think that they used the little kids because they show the innocence in our society and they are also the future. I think that they used the elderly because although they have had their innocence taken away already they are the most wise because they have went through the most. Overall, this video is a very good eye opener to help Americans and other people throughout the world to realize what the world has come to.
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