Underdog

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

• Alicia Keys, American singer
• 09/01/20 (top 40 in many countries)
• experiences of Afro-Americans
• using music to reinforce a positive and contemporary ideology surrounding ethnicity, race and gender
• positive representation of women

Question 2

Context

Answer 2

• historical and social context at the time
• Black Lives Matter movement — international activist movement (campaigns against violence and systemic racism towards black people)
• creating more awareness of global, social inequality
• narrative offers a social commentary that challenges audiences perceptions of particular social groups
• audience who feel under-represented can feel empowered
• issues related to experience of living in contemporary America as a member of an under-represented social group

Question 3

Analysis: Clothing

Answer 3

• midshot allows us to see clothing and headdress of dancer – positive representation of ethnicity due to inclusion of cultural iconography
• clothing of dancer and the girls in hijabs wearing conventional prom dresses – cultural connotations
• creates positive representations of different ethnicities and religions

Question 4

Theory of Representation

Answer 4

• Stuart Hall
• “meaning is produced and exchanged between members of a culture through language, signs and images which represent things”
• avoids stereotypical representations
• signs are decoded by the audience and interpreted to produce a positive reading of the music video

Question 5

Analysis: Group

Answer 5

• long shot of group of people with a variety of mixed genders and ethnicities dancing and singing in harmony — reinforces positive representations (solidarity and unity)
• positive expressions create an upbeat feeling and an engagement with the audience — triumph over adversity and redefining ‘underdog’
• low angle, close up of hands rising up (lyrics, “rise up”)
• aspiration and ambition
• audience engage with the issues that are presented

Question 6

Feminist Theory

Answer 6

• bell hook
• “women of colour must learn to confront their interests of white supremacists beliefs and learn about their culture, feminism relates to that of class and race as well as sex”
• Keys presents herself as an activist, demonstrating feminism as a political commitment rather than a lifestyle choice
• attempts to challenge the under/misrepresentation of social groups (ethnicity and gender)

Question 7

Conclusion

Answer 7

• inspirational music video for marginalised groups
• it demonstrates positive, more contemporary representations of ethnicity, race and gender rather than under/misrepresenting them