Blog12 (Free Write)

"They Don't Care About Us" by Micheal Jackson
Album: HIStory:Past, Present and Future, Book I

The prison version of this song opens with these words about the video “This film depicts the need for hope to rise against man’s injustices to man, and the need for prayer to unite man against the hatred we have seen throughout time and throughout the world. This is not an attempt to degrade or single out any one race or religion, but rather an effort to arouse the mind and spirit of us all.” This statement sets the tone for the rest of the video.

The prison video opens with children behind a wire fence clapping and chanting the chorus of this song. This version of the song shows different scenes of strife throughout the world and comes back to focus on Michael Jackson in his prison cell. The scenes include a KKK rally, Rodney King beating, 1992 L.A. Riots, Tiananmen Square Protests of 1989, and the Vietnam War.

The Brazil video opens with a lady speaking to Michael Jackson in Spanish, while the video zooms in on a religious statue on a hill. This version takes place in Dona Marta a town in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This version features Olodum, which is a cultural group from the Salvador black community. Their goals are to combat racism, encourage self-esteem and pride among Afro Brazilians, and fight for civil rights. They did the drumming for this version of the song. Michael Jackson walks throughout the town while Olodum surrounds him and drums. There are children and other citizens surrounding him also. This version shows the poverty of the town.

Both versions of this song have raised controversy. The prison version was banned from many television stations due to the violence depicted. Radio stations have also banned this song due to its lyrics about Jews, blacks, and whites. When asked about these lyrics Michael responded that "My intention was for this song to say 'no' to racism, anti-Semitism and stereotyping. I intend to include, in all albums that have not been shipped as of this date, the above paragraph so that no one can listen to my music and misconstrue my intentions. Just the idea that my lyrics could offend and hurt anyone's feelings is extremely painful to me."

I think that this is a powerful song that depicts some of the world’s issues in a startling light. Jackson is right some of us would rather not dwell on the problems of the world, but I think eventually we all will come across them because we are all so interconnected.

(Slightly Over 300 Words)

Blog 11 (Free Write)

"A Little Priest"
The Motion Picture
Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

This clip takes place shortly after Sweeney Todd (Johnny Depp) murder’s Pirelli in crime of passion. Pirelli was trying to blackmail Todd. Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter) and Todd are trying to figure out what to do with the body. Lovett comes up with the idea to turn the body into meat pie. The following song is them justifying the act of turning a man into a meat pie.

According to them men take advantage of each other all the time, though they refer to it as man devouring man, so why shouldn’t they literally devour man. Lovett rationalizes that it will save on grave space and do relatives some favors. Todd then goes on to say that “the history of the world, my love … Is those below serving those up above! How gratifying for once to know…” To finish this thought they both reply “that those above will serve those down below!” I can see what they mean about the history of the world. There is lots of evidence throughout history of men taking advantage of each other but I wouldn’t say that that justifies cannibalism. When you watch the movie they don’t seem to have any issue with turning other people into food, but if you listen to the lyrics at parts they seem to be rationalizing their acts. Lovett even mentions the job security in selling human meat pies because everyone shaves.

The other part of the song is them discussing the different types of flavors. They presume that the person’s career and life style give the meat different flavors. For example the priest should be clean because they don’t commit sins of the flesh, and Royal Marine tastes of where ever the marine has been. There are plenty of witty comments about common assumptions with careers, like politicians can be greasy and you can tell a piccolo player from a fiddle player, because the piccolo player is piping hot.

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