Around the world, we can see lots of Social movements happening now including OCCUPY MOVEMENT. While some activists use excellent and other use not-so-good frame which let ordinal people think in certain way, as a matter of fact, a rapper did his social movement in 2004.
In general, rappers state ‘What’s going on in reality’ and critical view to the reality. Eminem, a Detroit rapper, launched ‘Do not vote Bush’ campaign in 2004 election through his song and its video. In this song ‘Mosh’, Eminem points out various important factors in America such as, 9/11, Iraq War, conspiracy of Al-Qaeda, racial profiling, KKK, single mother, tax policy and non-violence.
In the video, people experienced the problems like above and got to join Eminem’s Mosh Movement (march). What’s interesting here is that when people join the movement they all wear black cloth their hoodies up. This ‘hoodie’ is said to be a symbol of rebel in America. At the same time, it is a symbol of crime hence, in some areas, people are not supposed to wear hoodies or otherwise they may be arrested.
Anyway, story goes on in the video, and the gathering of mosh activists becomes bigger. He yells:
How could we allow something like this without pumping our fists?
Now this is our final hour
Let me be the voice in your strength and your choice
Finally, Mosh activists reached the Capitol-like building and Eminem leads them into the building. He takes off his hoodie and looks like responsible grown man. We can see documents saying Sign in to VOTE. Then Eminem signed his ‘voice’ and the others are lining behind him. After the scene, the message “VOTE TUESDAY NOVEMBER 2” was emphasized and the video ends there.
What I think is feasible is his way of adopting a frame in this social movement. He shows us lots of things and acts like “Please follow me if you agree with at least one thing in the song and video.” I think this point should be thought highly of.
Eminem sings with strong voice:
Mosh now or die
If I get sniped tonight you know why,
Cause I told you to fight.
I thought his movement would succeed, however “video screed against President Bush that has been racing around the Internet, may not have prompted a groundswell of youth voting” (David Carr).
We are now facing new social movement like OCCUPY MOVEMENT, which might mean that – this is the time for everybody to Mosh again.
Mosh Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox0Q4YIdnGI&NR=1
references
“The Week Ahead”, By DAVID CARR (November 7, 2004), The New York Times
by Yuki Atsusaka
JAPANsociology 