Common - Letter to the Free blog tasks

Social and cultural context

1) What other projects has Common been involved in?

He performed a longer version of Letter to the Free at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival as well as make new music such as "The people" and "The Light".

2) What is the 13th Amendment of the American Constitution?

The amendment stated that slavery was abolished as well as involuntary servitude, expect in cases where a person has committed a crime.

3) What were the Black Codes?

The Black codes was a law that was passed by the southern states in 1965 and 1966 just after the US had their civil war between the southern and northern states. The intent behind the civil war was to restrict African Americans right to freedom and forcing them to 

The restrictive nature of the codes and widespread black resistance to their enforcement enraged many in the North, who argued that the codes violated the fundamental principles of free labour ideology. 

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?

Mass incarceration was introduced after the abolition of slavery and segregation. 'Criminals' was used as an excuse in order to restrict the freedom of the African Americans which continued racism throughout the country and even till today.

5) Why was Ava DuVernay inspired to make the Netflix documentary 13th?

She stated that she wanted to be an advocate for change and to bring hope, "I make this film in a place of hope which is how I try to walk through the day".
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).

The use of the black colour scheme make the video appear more serious to the audience as they are no long fixed on all the flashy things that make videos look more visually appealing. The black square acts as an enigma code. Could it represent freedom as nothing is holdimg it down or does it represent equality as its a square with equal sides?

2) What is the significance of the constantly moving camera?

The POV shots moving through the prison engages the audience and creates a more immersive experience. In a way, it creates a sense of sympathy.

3) Why is the video in black and white?

The black and white colour scheme portrays a sense of seriousness and importance. The simplistic colour scheme makes the audience focus more on the lyrics rather than the visuals which challenges traditional hip hip conventions. I also think it has connotations of the past (slavery era). It makes it seem as if they are trapped in th past

4) How is mise-en-scene used to construct meaning for the audience - prison setting, costume, props, lighting, actor placement?

Prison setting: the writing on the wall that says, 'no excessive noise' shows how black people have their voices suppressed. Music is seen as a form of communication that allows their voices to be heard. The (empty) prison cell shows black people being free from oppression. However, it can aslo be used to present their lives - free physically but not mentally. The goal painted on the wall reflects them as being poor and underprivileged.

Costume: the piano playes top says, "Fuck southern rock" which shows his feelings towards the southern states wherre slavery originated. The shoe less African drum player reflects black people being stripped of all privileges. 

Props: the musical instruments (e.g. Drums, piano) was a way to bring the black community together. There were also multiple rectangular boxes which can be used to show how tehy were all equally effected by racism. The fact that they were placed in the corner shows how their issues were dismissed. 

Lighting: lowkey lighting/chiaroscuro lighting creates a sense of darkness, shadows- reflects the mood (misery, pain, struggle). Backlighting - silhouettes (Common is not important is the message he is trying to get across to the audience)

Actors: the actors had serious faces to address the sensitive topic. The actors showed a series of emotional lip-syncing. Common was also dress in casual clothing which is not typical in rapping music videos.

5) Focusing on the track, what are the key lyrics that suggest the political message of the song?

"Shot me with your ray gun and now you want to trump me"

"The cage bird sings for freedom to ring"

"Slavery is still alive check amendment 13"

6) What is the significance of the floating black square motif?

Representations of black history/ balck experiences 

0.36
2.27
2.58
4.55

"It represents the infinite thing about blackness and blackness cant be defined in time or space." - (Common's conversation with filmmakers Nelson George after the premiere)

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.

I believe the video addresses this through the mise-en-scene (CLAMPS). The black and white colour scheme reflects how black people were segregated from white people within the 90s. The common talks about Amendment 13 and how the police foce use that as a way to mistreat black civilians. The piano players top says "fuck southern rock" which shows his feelings towards the southern states were slavery originated. The empty prison cells shows how black people were freed from incarceration. However, their seen as being free physically not mentally 

8) How can Gilroy's idea of black diasporic identity be applied to Common's Letter to the Free?

Giloey was interested in the idea of the black diasporic identity - the feeling of never quite belonging or being accepted in the western societies even to this day. 

Gilory suggests that black music articulates diasporic experience of resistance to white capitalist culture. 

9) What other theories of race and ethnicity can be applied to this video? E.g. Hall, Rose or Dyson.

Hall: western cultures are still white dominated 

Rose: hip hop gave audiences an insight into the lives of young , black, urban Americans and also gave them a voice

Dyson: "hip hop music is important precisely beacsue it sheds light on contemporary politics, history and race. At its best hip hop gives voice to marginal back youth"

10) What current events in America and worldwide are referenced in the song and video?

- Amendment 13
- police brutality