When the violence in music videos become reality

When faneto by Chief Keef comes on at any party or club, the guys literally turn into savages. Almost everytime that song comes on a party I almost get trampled over. The music industry is the largest media source that young people are being influenced by today. When it comes to social media we tend to value the opinions and lifestyles that some celebrities portray. Some may even lose their selves in trying to be what artists make themselves out to be through their music. Its one thing to hear what violent music artist say in their song, and it takes it to a whole new level when you can actually see it through their music videos. When people see their favorite rap artists living a violent lifestyle on television or the internet, they don’t stop and think that it’s all just a show. They may actually go out in their communities and commit violent acts due to what they see in music videos. Violent music videos are tremendously affecting the youth, who are looking up to the artists who choose to express violent acts through their music. The problem of violence in music videos is that it is promoting violence in society. During the last decade we have seen music lyrics become more and more violent and sexually explicit. Studies that use music videos on the other hand show an increased tolerance in deviant behavior among both males and females. Music videos add reinforcement to what is being heard with the use of visuals. Now an extra sense is being used. Videos often exhibit sexual scenes, acts of aggression, and gender stereotypes. Applying effective communication skills can solve the actual act of violence in music videos by not expressing them at all. Violent acts should not promoted. Though, there is no one solution to the problem of media violence, nor will we ever totally eliminate violence from our lives or from the media. There are many steps that each of us can take to reduce the amount and the impact of violent images in our society. These individual acts, along with the acts of others, will add up to widespread social change. We can also help limit the amount of violence in music videos by communicating with the young society. They need to know that just because the violence is expressed in music videos, that doesn’t mean that these people are actually out in the streets committing these crimes nor are they actually promoting such violence in their daily lives. Violence in music videos is vastly influencing our youth more and more as the days go by. It is important that we communicate that those violent acts that they see in the media are not okay and if they want to live those forgery violent lives, they will suffer the consequences that come with it. Also it is important that we choose the right roles models. If you look up to those who are expressing positive actions in society and who are promoting positive energy, you’ll want to do the same thing. It is very important that positivity be expressed through music and music videos. Children go off of what they see and hear. If violent acts are continually shown throughout the media, nothing good will come from it.

Does Black Lives Still Not Matter?

When will the shootings and the killings finally stop against African Americans in the justice system? Today, on February 29, 2016, another African American male was shot and killed by the police department. In Southeast Raleigh, this male was shot not one, but seven times in the back. The police department is trying to justify this case by saying that the wanted man was running away, so they had no choice but to shoot at him in order to capture him. This man was wanted on a felony drug charge. They hunted him down with their guns as if he was a murderer. Although this man was wanted, the police did not have to gun him down and shoot him seven times in the back and kill him. Although there were at least 40 eyewitnesses at the crime scene, I feel as though another African American male was put to death due to police brutality against black people. From Trayvon Martin, Mike Brown, Sandra Bland to Freddy Gray. Due to the stereotype given to African American males as well as African Americans in general, police automatically put those stereotypes into play as soon as they see a black male or female on the street who they, for no reason, feel threatened by. Not all, but a lot of police seem to not care about black lives, hence the hashtag #blacklivesmatter. Too many black lives are being taken due to police brutality. I feel as though if a police officer was feeling offended by a white male or female, they would not automatically draw their gun out to shoot as fast as they would if the offenders were an African American male or female. I feel as though those police officers prove to the United States that racism is still more alive than ever. Black lives are being taken because of misjudgment, assumption, stereotypes, and racism. It is completely unfair and wrong. I feel as though no gun should be drawn at any person if they are not intending to shoot at or harm the police officer. The hashtag #blacklivesmatters is such a big deal because we are tired of our young black people being taken off of this earth due to the color of their skin and misconceptions. Some people are even resulting to rioting because it seems as though, our voices are still not being heard. For example, when Freddy Gray was killed, the whole city of Baltimore, Maryland began to riot. The riot may have got out of control, but what can you expect when the police department keep constantly taking our young black men and sometimes women off the earth for a reason that could’ve easily been settled where the victims would still be able to be alive today. People are tired of this going on and I agree that it is way past time for us to stand up to make sure as much as we can that this stops happening. Police shouldn’t let the color of one’s skin determine if they pull out their gun and pull the trigger.