MEDIA CARRYING IDENTITIES TO THE WORLD

Media and identity is two different objectives but they both a linked together to portray a specific representation. Identity above all is not fixed but it is actually created to suit a particular individual. The media is one of the most powerful tool that constructs identity for the society. The media present representation of reality and this is what we call identity. In identifying identity, there are many aspects of the subject that one needs to consider and in these two particular music video ‘Love generation by Bob Sinclair and We are the world by US for AFRICA, the link of identity is quite obvious and through the important aspect of the media, we can identify them.

First music video “Love Generation” by Bob Sinclair is one of the most intriguing music video of all time because the main character in the music video was not the singer but a young boy who seemingly travels the whole world on his bike. In this particular scene, the camera shot is of a full setting and shows all the characters in the music video. The main character is central which shows that he is the main character and the other children were spread out both sides with different ethnicities. The song also states that this is the love generation and in this particular scene, there is a sense of unity because all of these children are of different backgrounds but all engaging with themselves. It is quite refreshing to also identify that the scene is also balance in gender as the children in the background are girls and also boys. The real message of love generation can definitely be seen in this as the boy become the main character and he is witnessing the love generation. This particular music video implements positive values to the audience and the viewers can really relate to this particular music video.

The second music video is the most well-known music video in the world and it is “We are the world” by USA for Africa. Although the main character that everyone looks forward to see is Michael Jackson, the main theme behind this song is exceptional. We are the world and the song literally have been sung by different variety of USA singers which makes it even special. The singers are both African American and European American both genders singing alongside each other and fulfilling their actual song purpose which to implement that we are the world together.

The camera shots of the singers are mostly close ups as they have to show the real identity of the singers and the viewers can relate to them and all the lyrics they sing. It is probably one of the most effective way of actually seeing the emotions from these amazing singers. I believe this also symbolizes unity is needed in the world to make it better and to make it much happier. The singers are all united to sing this song giving hope to the people who watched and listened. There is gender balance, there is also an incredible message in the song and it was powerful indeed.

For these two important music videos, they both are different genre of music but still they portray something similar and that is basically identity. The amazing idea of identities is relevant in any society and these two music videos have definitely passed this positive idea that our identities may vary in different ways but we ought to have unity and prosperity together as one people. Indeed, there is some form of stereotyping involved but they were positive ones and in the first song the most obvious stereotyping was of the boy riding the bike. It is quite common for young boys to ride their bicycles around and for the second music video a stereotype of artist recording in a studio but the songs used these stereotyping in a positive way to give the audience a connection with the song because they can tell that the reality is present in the songs.

Indeed, media have definitely construct the identities of our society and have dramatically engage all of us audience in accepting the identities it offers. What can we do without media? Well for now, the answer would simply be nothing can be done without media’s influence.

picture one is of Love Generation song by Bob, 

the main character the boy riding the bike is riding past his friends

pictures 2 & 3 are of a African american male vocalist and a European american female singer in the famous song "we are the world".