In “Influencing American Foreign Policy through Popular Media,” discusses the tradition of protest music in the United States. Among the songs he discusses is “Where Is the Love,” by the Black Eyed Peas (2003). Below is the music video. Among other things, the song addresses the way that the media contribute to a climate of violence. Discuss the song in relation to Sharp’s argument.
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In the world today there are many things that happen that do not allow people to take responsibility for their own lack of empathy, and perhaps even there own biases. Music, especially “Where is the love”, provides the audience with visual and auditory entertainment, but also produces a sense of responsibility and questions of ones own morals. Sharp’s argument is simple: music has an impact on people whether or not it means to or not. The focus on the radicalization of politics by the Black Eyed Peas is just one example of a plethora of songs that have addressed similar issues including sexual assault, poverty, and drug abuse, just to name a few.
in the outset though these songs relate to people who have been oppressed and can relate to the message of the song. In recent trends there has been an appropriation of these powerful message in order to appeal to the “younger” crowd. Rap has changed in the senate hat is has become less influential and stays safe with topics that barely touch upon things that do not include women, sex, and drugs, which, in comparison to older more nuanced rap (Gangster Rap) the focused on politics climate, “The Streets”, and the specific effects drugs had on the community and also the context in which they were inserted into certain communities, is less influential and more focused on the appeal of being Black or “from the streets” than it is on making a political statement.
The lyrics in “Where is the love” are a piecemeal at best, and although the band is trying to get back to the roots of what it means to be oppressed, and you simply can’t do that in the span of a few minutes. I see the comments above and read about how this song is aiming to harmonize, bring people together, and look away from the differences – that’s just not going to happen. We need music that is more centrally focused on the real struggle of having to deal with racism everyday; music that allows people to feel AND understand what has happened and what will continue to happen. The Score by the Fugees was realeased in February of 1996, and they cover topics concerning police brutality calling it “The Beast” and being treated different because of skin tone, and the effects this has on family dynamics and the general black community – a very complex album that everyone should listen to at least once. This is what we need, not some half-produced pop song that you don’t really need to think about to analyze – the name of the song is “Where is the love”, what else could it be about?
Where’s the love now, nowhere, because love is not found in a song or in entertainment, love is found in understanding and that is one of the hardest things for any person to do.
“In a political context, an interesting piece of music can focus attention on a message that a listener might otherwise choose not to hear. It is a gentle, but powerful way to expose listeners to ideas that challenge presuppositions.”
Sharps concludes his argument, that music can have a powerful political impact, whether or not it encourages activism or change, it at least provides exposure. This is reflected in the Black Eyed Peas song “where is the love?”. The song is very well composed, fun and catchy, perfectly aimed for the top charts, which it reached rapidly when it was first release. In fact, the song is still one of the most popular black eyed peas songs. I can remember loving the song the first time I ever heard it, even though I didn’t really listen to, or fully comprehend what all of the lyrics meant. Even just the catchy repetition of the phrase “Where Is the Love?” is enough to convey a message to the listener, no matter their age or education level. It is clear that they are not referring to the love between partners, but to the love for others all around the world. Those three words are enough to expose listeners to the message that “instead of spreading love we’re spreading animosity” around the world. When paired with their close that “We only got one world,” the song conveys a clear message to any listener that our world is in need of more love.
Listening more intently to all of the lyrics reveals the exact messages that the Black Eyed Peas intended. As sharp points out, it “references multiple issues” that need addressing in the world. Sharp claims that it is primarily an anti-war anthem, but I don’t think that is necessarily the central message of the song. Their are certainly lines that point directly to war—”People killin’, people dyin'”, and “a war is goin’ on but the reason’s undercover”—but I would argue that the song is more of an anti-hate song. War of course is wrapped up in hate, but the song references other types of hate that are prevalent in the world as well.
The one point that Sharp makes that I find particularly applicable to this song is that it has a “timeless quality.” Even though this song is from the early 2000’s, the issues that the song addresses with the world are applicable to the issues of today, and the issues of many years ago. Hopefully the issues will not truly be timeless, because our world needs to move forward somehow. But for now its will remain a powerful “protest anthem for generations to come.”
In the Black Eyed Peas’ song “Where Is the Love” from 2003, they question the morals of in the world today, in regards to violence, terrorism and war. They preach ideas of promoting love and equality in place of continuing the cycle of hate. Instead of only blaming the governments of the world, however, they also cast some blame on the media, saying, “Wrong information always shown by the media, negative images is the main criteria, infecting the young minds faster than bacteria, kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema.” In these lines they show how the media is a core promoter of this issue, sharing the hateful and negative actions that are occurring, while simultaneously instilling these images the malleable minds of children and inhibiting a stop to the violence. According to Sharp, this song had a new type of power, as it was one of the first time in a generation that an anti-war song made it to the top pop charts in music. She also comments how although the song is mostly anti-war, there are also mentions to other types of violence and chaos, including terrorism. Her analysis of the song pays tribute to its ability to reach a newer audience while covering a broader theme of ending all hate and violence in the world, while also casting some of the blame away from the government and politics themselves and onto the dangerous power that the media holds. Just as Sharp amply exemplifies in her essay, artists such as the Black Eyed Peas utilized their ability to express political commentaries and ideas to a greater community through popular music.
The song “Where is the Love” by the Black Eyed Peas has been so successful for a number of reasons. The first being it’s upbeat, catchy tune that most people can’t help but like. This is not a regular old pop song. This song is arguing to end social injustices and instead spread love. Most songs like this are slow and somber so many people don’t listen to them. “Where is the Love” was able to spread its message so well because it was a song that captured peoples attention with its beat first, then its message. As the song soared to the top of the charts along with it went its message.
The song was also different from many other anti-hate songs because it was not just slandering hate, but asking for love. The song does not focus solely on the hate in other countries and other people, but also asks for people to take a look at their own lives. The song instills a feeling that every person has a hand in the making of love and peace in our country. When listening to the song people feel that their own actions can make a difference.
According to Sharp, “voices of protest against war have dominated musical discourse over American international politics”. For many years, famous musicians of all genres have participated in the creation of protest music. Beginning as early as 1961, artists such as The Kingston Trio and Bob Dylan constructed songs focused on the ideas of growing military and protests against war and violence. While these songs came about during the Vietnam War, Sharp’s argument and the them of music expressing opinion regarding the country is still around today. However, times have also changed. Sharp touches upon the idea that many songs that would’ve made it to the top of the list during the 1950’s would not get anywhere near the same attention today. This could be do to the divide in current issues throughout America that we experience today. As demonstrated by the 2016 presidential election, it is clear that many Americans have differing opinions especially regarding race and other social issues.
For me, the most interesting aspect of protest music and “Where is the Love” by the Black Eyed Peas is the message portrayed. While the song evidently relays a catchy tune that appeals to a broad audience, it also emphasizes the violence and troubles regarding war and social issues in this country. Lyrics such as “But if you only have love for your own race, Then you only leave space to discriminate, And to discriminate only generates hate” and “Nations droppin’ bombs, Chemical gasses fillin’ lungs of little ones” truly speak to the concerns of violence in this country that exist today. While many people who listen to the song are entertained by the rhythm and well orchestrated music, the messages relayed through the lyrics are incredibly powerful. Often times protest music, including “Where is the Love” touches upon anti-war ideas and stopping terrorism overseas. However, this song also touches upon the internal issues that appear within our country as well.
Although “Where is the Love” does portray concerns regarding the social issues and violence within the country, it also sends a message of love. One lyric that has always stuck out to me is, “Father, Father, Father help us, Send some guidance from above, ‘Cause people got me, got me questionin’, Where is the love”. This line is a main verse in the chorus and sends an incredibly powerful message. Even though we all come from different backgrounds and share differing opinions, this line demonstrates that everyone should look to a bigger figure for guidance. The lyrics acknowledge that even if we share different opinions, the people in this country are in it together. Often times, people feel that they can’t control what goes on in the world around them (especially with the ideas demonstrated in this song), so turning to God in a time of needs comforts them in a world of violence.
“Where is the Love” is a song that I have known for years, but it is not until recently that I truly contemplated the social issues and messages relayed in the song. The messages in the song released in 2003 still apply to the world today and create powerful images regarding the place we live.
The song “Where is the Love” by the black eyed peas was a song that kids of our generation and similar age group likely know most of and if not all of the words to. When I was very young when the song first came on I certainly didn’t dissect the songs lyrics deep in the verses of the tune. I simply enjoyed it due to the catchy chorus and the amount that it was played on the radio. However, now when we listen to a meaningful throwback that is related to the current social issues of our nation, it is hard not to listen more closely. With lyrics like “only attracted to things that give you drama,” that make us feel like we only care about the controversies in the world and we should be doing everything in our power to avoid them instead of consuming our lives with them.
Its interesting because Sharp initially argues that a songs about politics and worldly issues during the 1960-1980’s were widely popular and the meanings and preachings of peace and solidarity were prominent throughout the tunes. However, during the 1990’s and early 2000’s there was a sense that songs like this wouldn’t be as popular on the radio today which Sharp describes in saying, “A protest song about George Bush’s rush into the Iraq war would have no chance today.” The reason being because that it is such a specific issue that many people actually supported. The protest songs of the mid 20th century were now a thing of the past.
However, “Where is the Love” provided us with a protest song that everyone can agree with that conveys a positive message of love, but at the same time also gives us a perspective of the harsh reality that war brings to our planet. Lyrics like “Nations droppin’ bombs, Chemical gasses fillin’ lungs of little ones, With ongoin’ sufferin’ as the youth die young, So ask yourself is the lovin’ really gone,” causes people to put that image in their mind. The powerful images of children getting hurt along with the other repercussions and consequences of war cause the song to have great influence on people.
Listening to modern-day songs like “Where is the Love” allows us to see the bigger picture through rhythm and rhyme. It is truly amazing that a song like “Where is the Love” could be so popular and at the same time be so influential in its lyrics to our generation.
The Black Eyed Peas’ “Where is the Love” soared to the top of the charts almost immediately after it’s release. This, according to Sharp, had to do with its prayerful tone and universality, which was in contrast with most of the other “edgy” anti-war songs of the time. The Black Eyed Peas crafted a sing-along type song that preached racial acceptance, peacefulness, and human rights while also calling to light the ignorance of American citizens and the detrimental affect the media has on young minds. Because of it’s sing-along quality, radio stations were not hesitant to play it early and often and it served as a low-risk track for smaller radio stations as well. The Black Eyed Peas did a great job of extending their political hopes to a country in great turmoil in the wake of 9/11 and the catchy beat of the song helped immensely. The lines “Wrong information always shown by the media/ Negative images is the main criteria/ Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria/ Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema” expose the way that the media chooses to portray images of violence and how it negatively affects the young minds of America. It also highlights the idea that kids will act like the things they see on tv, whether it be the news or violent movies, and how that media can be detrimental to children and the future of America. “Where is the Love” focuses on peace and love while also making political comments on the war overseas and the racial discrimination the U.S. faces. Overall, “Where is the Love” is a jam.
As Brett Sharp voiced, music provides a soundtrack for American Politics. “Where is the love” by the Black Eyed Peas focuses on the racial struggles within the United States. People who are not listening closely may think that the song focuses solely on the war in Iraq, but it is actually preaches peace in America and asks the country to look within its own borders. The song states specifically, “Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism But we still got terrorists here livin’ In the USA, the big CIA The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK”. Sharp exclaims that music is closely related to the use of military force, but I feel that the Black Eyed Peas are advocating against this point. The artists preach, “Can you practice what you preach? Or would you turn the other cheek?”. This is a calling to all Americas to not just talk about love, but spread and extend it throughout the country. The only way to make change is to first stop the hate. This relates to Sharp and the Black Eyed Peas point concerning a person not just focusing on their own social or political group. The song continues to vocalize, “But if you only have love for your own race Then you only leave space to discriminate And to discriminate only generates hate”. They declare that Americans must collectively assemble together with the same mindset of peace and equality.
The song continually questions, “Where is the love”, in the music video and the lyrics there appears to be a deep divide not just from the members of different social classes but also a division because of skin color. Overall, the lyrics aim to harmonize the country as one.