Common - Letter to the Free blog tasks
Social and cultural context
1) What other projects has Common been involved in?
Common is part of the "Knowing is Beautiful" movement which supports HIV/AIDS awareness.
He is the founder of the "Common Ground Foundation" which is a non-profit organisation which sets out to empower underprivelleged youngsters to become better "citizens of the world". They develop leadership skills and qualities, educational development, creative expression and also includes a book club to encourage the youth to read more.
2) What is the 13th Amendment of the American Constitution?
13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The 13th Amendment to the Constitution declared 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?
The Black Codes were laws passed by Southern states in 1865 and 1866 in the United States after the American Civil War to restrict African Americans' freedom, and of compelling them to work in a labor economy based on low wages or debt.
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?
Even though slavery was abolished, it has still influenced American culture 150 years later. This is evident through the fact that different methods of slavery have been used. For example, once slavery was abolished, Jim Crow laws were introduced which led to the segregation of blacks and whites in America. Once this was outlawed, mass incarceration replaced it - which is essentially another form of slavery as it means that black prisoners can be mistreated and forced into manual labour, even if their crimes are lesser than white prisoners.
5) Why was Ava DuVernay inspired to make the Netflix documentary 13th?
Ava DuVernay saysthat she created "13th" to tackle racial division and the disproportionate incarceration of African-American men. She says that it was not to "produce some legislation or instigates some kind of protest, but that it allows people to have a revolution within about what we think about this issue and be forward thinking about how we approach it from now on."
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).
Using a POV shot in the start of the music video as we enter the prison gives the audience an immersive experience, as if they are actually entering the cells for real.
2) What is the significance of the constantly moving camera?
The constant movement of the camera gives a sense of surveillance to the audience as if they are watching in on the performers within the jail cell. It also makes the viewers focus on different things within the videos settings: in this case the prison cell. The symbol of this is that the artist isn't important, rather the message and the setting.
3) Why is the video in black and white?
The use of chiaroscuro and long shots means that the viewers don't focus on the musicians and artists performing in the video.It reinforces the seriousness of the music video and focuses the viewers attention on the message rather than the material artist. This is particularly effective, as it is reflective of the segregation and disconnection between White America and Black America, as well as the fact that white law enforcement officers typically don't offer any sympathy to black prisoners or black Americans in general.4) How is mise-en-scene used to construct meaning for the audience - prison setting, costume, props, lighting, actor placement?
The placement of the artists in this video is very important in relating the message to the 13th Amendment and the issue of mass incarceration. The fact that they are all in separate rooms, mirrors the way that black people isolated in prison.
5) Focusing on the track, what are the key lyrics that suggest the political message of the song?
"Shoot me with your ray-gun and now you wanna trump me":
6) What is the significance of the floating black square motif?
The black square in the video represents the injustice in the prison system. It may also reflect the actual black people imprisoned within the United States. It is seen within a cell, then outside at the end of the video symbolising final freedom. This creates a sense of closure.
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.
The final shot of the video shows this black square in a field. This field looks quite similar to a cotton field, which is a direct reference to the plantation locations that connote to slavery. The fact that this square moves from the prison and out into this field is symbolic of the way that despite that prisons can be freed and released from prison, their minds and identities still belong to the system.
8) How can Gilroy's idea of black diasporic identity be applied to Common's Letter to the Free?
The fact that they are all in separate rooms but in the same building shows how black people have been spread out across the world and are isolated in the places where they reside. They arent at home in Europe or America but are also seen as outsiders in the 'motherland'.
9) What other theories of race and ethnicity can be applied to this video? E.g. Hall, Rose or Dyson.
I think that this music video is a perfect example of Dyson's comment that "hip hop is still fundamentally an art form" and that it uses a variety of "literary and artistic conventions to get its point across." This is evident throughout Common's Letter to the Free, because it highlights the literary techniques used by Common to get his point across. For example, wordplay such as "shoot me with your ray-gun and now you wanna trump me" and "whips and chains are subliminal" emphasises the fact that this video is focused around the serious issue of injustice and the mass incarceration of black people throughout America. Common inspires a 'protest' style rap which tackles political and social issues within America.
10) What current events in America and worldwide are referenced in the song and video?
1) What other projects has Common been involved in?
Common is part of the "Knowing is Beautiful" movement which supports HIV/AIDS awareness.
He is the founder of the "Common Ground Foundation" which is a non-profit organisation which sets out to empower underprivelleged youngsters to become better "citizens of the world". They develop leadership skills and qualities, educational development, creative expression and also includes a book club to encourage the youth to read more.
2) What is the 13th Amendment of the American Constitution?
13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The 13th Amendment to the Constitution declared 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?
The Black Codes were laws passed by Southern states in 1865 and 1866 in the United States after the American Civil War to restrict African Americans' freedom, and of compelling them to work in a labor economy based on low wages or debt.
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?
Even though slavery was abolished, it has still influenced American culture 150 years later. This is evident through the fact that different methods of slavery have been used. For example, once slavery was abolished, Jim Crow laws were introduced which led to the segregation of blacks and whites in America. Once this was outlawed, mass incarceration replaced it - which is essentially another form of slavery as it means that black prisoners can be mistreated and forced into manual labour, even if their crimes are lesser than white prisoners.
5) Why was Ava DuVernay inspired to make the Netflix documentary 13th?
Ava DuVernay saysthat she created "13th" to tackle racial division and the disproportionate incarceration of African-American men. She says that it was not to "produce some legislation or instigates some kind of protest, but that it allows people to have a revolution within about what we think about this issue and be forward thinking about how we approach it from now on."
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).
Using a POV shot in the start of the music video as we enter the prison gives the audience an immersive experience, as if they are actually entering the cells for real.
2) What is the significance of the constantly moving camera?
The constant movement of the camera gives a sense of surveillance to the audience as if they are watching in on the performers within the jail cell. It also makes the viewers focus on different things within the videos settings: in this case the prison cell. The symbol of this is that the artist isn't important, rather the message and the setting.
3) Why is the video in black and white?
The use of chiaroscuro and long shots means that the viewers don't focus on the musicians and artists performing in the video.It reinforces the seriousness of the music video and focuses the viewers attention on the message rather than the material artist. This is particularly effective, as it is reflective of the segregation and disconnection between White America and Black America, as well as the fact that white law enforcement officers typically don't offer any sympathy to black prisoners or black Americans in general.4) How is mise-en-scene used to construct meaning for the audience - prison setting, costume, props, lighting, actor placement?
The placement of the artists in this video is very important in relating the message to the 13th Amendment and the issue of mass incarceration. The fact that they are all in separate rooms, mirrors the way that black people isolated in prison.
5) Focusing on the track, what are the key lyrics that suggest the political message of the song?
"Shoot me with your ray-gun and now you wanna trump me":
Word play: "ray-gun" refers to President Reagan and "trump" refers to the current president of the United States. Common's references to the presidents reflects the fact that the US government are responsible for the way that Black people have continuously been treated poorly and criminalised within society. This lyric calls on Trump's controversial views and opinions towards those who aren't white Americans.
"Whips and chains become subliminal":
Highlights the fact that despite slavery being abolished, White America has introduced new methods and means of suppressing black people, and continuing to make them feel enslaved on a mental level even though they are physically free.
6) What is the significance of the floating black square motif?
The black square in the video represents the injustice in the prison system. It may also reflect the actual black people imprisoned within the United States. It is seen within a cell, then outside at the end of the video symbolising final freedom. This creates a sense of closure.
The final shot of the video shows this black square in a field. This field looks quite similar to a cotton field, which is a direct reference to the plantation locations that connote to slavery. The fact that this square moves from the prison and out into this field is symbolic of the way that despite that prisons can be freed and released from prison, their minds and identities still belong to the system.
8) How can Gilroy's idea of black diasporic identity be applied to Common's Letter to the Free?
The fact that they are all in separate rooms but in the same building shows how black people have been spread out across the world and are isolated in the places where they reside. They arent at home in Europe or America but are also seen as outsiders in the 'motherland'.
I think that this music video is a perfect example of Dyson's comment that "hip hop is still fundamentally an art form" and that it uses a variety of "literary and artistic conventions to get its point across." This is evident throughout Common's Letter to the Free, because it highlights the literary techniques used by Common to get his point across. For example, wordplay such as "shoot me with your ray-gun and now you wanna trump me" and "whips and chains are subliminal" emphasises the fact that this video is focused around the serious issue of injustice and the mass incarceration of black people throughout America. Common inspires a 'protest' style rap which tackles political and social issues within America.
10) What current events in America and worldwide are referenced in the song and video?
- Mass incarceration of blacks/non-white in America
- Racism within the government and police system
- Underlying tones of racism within contemporary America
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