Monday, April 11, 2016
Usher's Statement About Injustice in "Chains"
The music video,“Chains,” depicts the injustices that people of color face within the United States, which has been a topic of interest within the past few years, as more and more cases of discrimination appear in the news. The title indicates the intention of the video, because chains are associated with being restricted and imprisoned. Within the video are images of men and women who have fallen victim to racial discrimination and violence as a result of this. Names, faces, and a brief description are included with each image in the video. The interactive version of the video ensures that the viewer is engaged through access of the front facing camera. If the viewer is not looking at the video, it will pause until eye contact is made once again. This video demonstrates one of the many ways in which artists are beginning to take a stand against injustice through their work. Usher promoted the video along with the hashtag "Don't Look Away" in order to promote active engagement in these issues throughout the country.
McIntrye, H. (2015, October 20). Usher's Powerful New Music Video Literally Won't Allow You To Look Away. Retrieved April 11, 2016, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2015/10/20/ushers-new-music-video-literally-wont-allow-you-to-look-away/#491f817614a3
https://chains.tidal.com/
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This is a very powerful video. I think it really speaks to our soul and makes us realize that oppression is still a very real thing in today's society. The fact that even a man as successful and coveted as Usher still feels the chains society has bound him with makes a profound statement.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that any artist that chooses to use their art to make a statement captures our attention. I believe that Usher was particularly successful in this video because he deliberately chose not to show himself or his guest vocalists in the video, but rather focus on victims of racism and oppression. By doing so he is telling the viewers to listen to his message and not look away from those that have been effected.
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