Underdog

Question 1

Who is Alicia Keys?

Answer 1

American singer born in Hell’s Kitchen

Question 2

When was UD released?

Answer 2

January 9th 2020

Question 3

What does AK do?

Answer 3

The MV covers themes/lyrics related to experiences of Afro Americans + uses conventions of music/historical roots to reinforce positive representations of ethnicity/race/women.

Question 4

What movement links to the MV?

Answer 4

Black lives matter

Question 5

How is the BLM movement reflected in the MV?

Answer 5

Offers social commentary/challenges audiences perceptions of particular social groups/positioning them to view them differently

Question 6

Philanthropist

Answer 6

Person who has the desire to promote the welfare of others

Question 7

How is AK a philanthropist?

Answer 7

She is politically aware of how dominant groups in society control what’s stereotyped + how representations are constructed/stereotypes reinforced

Question 8

Mid shot

Answer 8

Ethnicity seen as positive…cultural iconography (headdress)…blending of cultures into cohesive through dance/music…bright clothing/headdress/woman in hijab in prom dress = cultural connotations

Question 9

Low angle shot

Answer 9

Looking at sky through hands = repeated - lyrics “rise up” = aspiration - position audience engage with issues presented in MV

Question 10

Long shot - homeless

Answer 10

AC refuses to accept certain groups are misrepresented due to ethnicity/gender/social class should be perceived as victims - reps = positive challenging audience perceptions of homeless as in need of support

Question 11

Close up shot - child cooking

Answer 11

Stereotype of children fending for selves in domestic sphere - make audience sympathetic…mv progresses subverts stereotypes presents children as resistant/buoyant not struggling

Question 12

Editing cuts

Answer 12

Individual stories + artist = link - young mother spinning with child in arms/street dancer spinning on table = sense of community + positive rep of marginalised groups

Question 13

Long shot - family in home

Answer 13

Arrival of mother (warm colour palette = inviting into home) - sitting together at end…gesture of embrace = responsibility/love - positive rep through low key lighting presents home as safe

Question 14

Long shot - group dancing/singing

Answer 14

Demonstrates solidarity/unity - reinforces positive rep of race/ethnicity + positive expressions = upbeat feeling/engagement with audience - triumph over adversity + idea of “underdog”

Question 15

Theory of Representation - Stuart Hall

Answer 15

Meaning is produced/exchanged between members of a culture through use of language/signs/images which stand for things

Question 16

How is theory of representation shown in the MV?

Answer 16

Avoids stereotypes - positive representation - through signs + codes decoded by audiences/interpreted to produce positive reading of MV

Question 17

Feminist theory - Liesbet Van Zoonen

Answer 17

Femininity is a construction that’s evolved/transformed throughout the media and now offers more positive constructions in the media

Question 18

How is Van Zoonen’s Feminist Theory explored in the MV?

Answer 18

AK’s agenda centred around own concerns/experiences stemming from her multi cultural background - representations address her awareness of issues

Question 19

Feminist Theory - bell hook

Answer 19

Focus = all female races learning to conform with one another - women of colour must learn to “confront their interest of white suprematist beliefs” which could lead to self hate/anger to one another instead of at oppressors… trend eliminated by WOC assuming responsibility of uniting to “learn about their culture to share knowledge/skills/gain strength from their diversity”

Question 20

How is bell hook’s feminist theory presented in the MV?

Answer 20

AK = activist demonstrating feminism as political commitment not lifestyle choice + challenges misrepresentation of social groups

Question 21

Post colonialism

Answer 21

Critical academic study of cultural/political/economic legacy of colonialism/imperialism focusing on impact of human control/exploitation of colonised people/lands

Question 22

Paul Gilroy’s ethnicity + post colonial theory

Answer 22

Colonial discourses continue to inform contemporary attitudes to race/ethnicity in post colonial era + society constructs racial hierarchies/sets up binary oppositions based on notions of otherness

Question 23

How is Paul Gilroy’s ethnicity + post colonial theory presented in the MV?

Answer 23

Reinforces similarities rather than cultural differences to be successful + defy odds… rep of ethnic groups as victims/“otherness” = avoided + replaced with positive ones