Platinum recording artiste Rihanna released her long awaited video Man Down which immediately triggered a number of debates. The Parental Board in the US saying that Rihanna is teaching the wrong lesson to her younger female fans, some are wondering why she didn't do the video in her own country and Jamaicans unease because of how the video depicts Jamaica, a topic which most people shoot down by saying "it's Jamaica's reality".There hasn't really been any well laid out "defense for Jamaica" so i feel it's my duty to do so.
This ISN'Y MUCH ABOUT the opposition or dislike of Rihanna or even the video I HAVE ACCEPTED THAT THE VIDEO WAS MADE TO SET A TONE TO BLEND WITH THE CONTENT OF THE SONG, it's more so about Jamaica's image.
BEFORE I CONTINUE, i would like for anyone reading this to become neutral in mind and to try and understand where we're coming from with this. If you continue reading with the agenda of not accepting any of the points then it makes no sense you continue.
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| YES, THIS IS JAMAICA |
Continuously being exposed to that side of Jamaica, it eventually becomes the main identity of the country hence the belief of many persons that Jamaica is.....just that. So if someone comes to Jamaica they feel the need to capture the imagery of what THEY BELIEVE Jamaica is. I always use this example: believing that Africa is an all black country, so if you go to Africa you only request black people to be in the video. Did you know white people live in Africa too? To be even more personal, excitement is aroused when a ghetto person (i say that with no disrespect) speaks standard English as they are expected to be vulgar by the way the are constantly portrayed or EVEN WHEN PEOPLE JUDGE YOU BY YOUR TWEETS.
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| Jamaica's beauty |
Not because it exists doesn't mean we should allow it to consume who we are. CNN had an article listing the TOP COOLEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD Jamaicans being ranked 3rd. In the article they posted the "not so cool" information about each country, what was Jamaica's 'not so cool'? "High murder rate and widespread homophobia.". Brazil was ranked number ONE and their 'not so cool' was "Mmmmm, Brazilian meat and cocoa -- so delicious, but farming's destruction of vast tracts of rainforest leaves a bitter aftertaste".
WHAT? Brazil who has a terrible murder rate? Brazil who is ranked 5th in the murders of youth; 6th overall IN THE WORLD, THAT'S ALL THEY COULD FIND? OHHH I guess that was publicized because it hasn't become their identity, but unfortunately it has become ours.
I am not blaming Rihanna for anything, if she chose to create that scene it's not her fault, it's ours for continuing to allow this to happen, but we can feel upset because that's not all Jamaica is about. Our local entertainers do it, we should be upset, International entertainers do it, we should be upset. Once it is done we should be upset. Having videos like that is not the problem it is when we overdo it.
6 comments:
*sigh* The MAJORITY of her video showcased the beautiful aspects of Jamaica and Jamaicans. She wanted to be deep so she added a rape scene or alluded to it. Note: she was the one who murdered the guy. Let's just stop making a big deal now. It's too drawn out now.
If i go on about Jamaica too long i'll start saying bad things in its defense.
Okay place to live with lots of potential and bla blah...
I watched the video and thought it was nice, Gaspro got their business advertised for free, local crew got some money, etc etc..
I dont have much to say, but local creative minds can do a production to break the stereotypes of Jamaica, i'll end there.
Yes, but this isnt necessarily about her or her video, i have accepted that point that she was trying to set a tone to collide with the content of the video.
This is about as i said Jamaica's image. Realize i only made reference to her video in the last paragraph. i used the title because thats what triggered the debates
I get that, which is why i dont really want to say much. But Jamaica being a beautiful place (beaches, etc..) is just another stereotype.
I doubt this video has done that much harm, and Jamaican's will continue to be Jamaicans. Will stop there before i start the insults.
After watching Fast Five and the news etc.. Brazil has a major problem with crime, but i dont care.. i want to see some brazilian ass with my own two eyes. Everyone agrees its the best Fast and Furious made.. yet almost every normal looking person had a gun in the movie.
Has it damaged the image of Brazil, idk.. but im still getting me some before the end of the world
Being one of the individuals you referenced, who dismissed it as "the reality", I'm compelled to comment. While it is easy to say we are coming to the "defence" of Jamaica's image, I must ask you, is the image portrayed to the world a lie? Nothing that is said is a lie. Moreover, we make the mistake that people think that's ALL there is to Jamaica, that's obviously not true. Our tourist arrivals alone should put that argument to rest. Clearly these people know of our beautiful beaches, hospitality, food, music, sports etc etc etc. That's why they spend their vacation time here.
If we say when artistes depict these things we should "speak out" against it, we run a dangerous risk. The risk of subjecting art. Art mirrors life. What would we be speaking out against exactly? The truth? This is the reality, this is the image. It is Jamaica. Albeit not all of Jamaica, but Jamaica nonetheless. What we need is a national discussion on how to change the reality. If it didn't exist, it couldn't be depicted and if anyone dared cast lies on our "image", THEN we can take up arms and defend the image. For now, Man Down shows what exists. It gives the image which we all know so well. Our beaches are known. Our hospitality is known. Our music is known. The land of wood and water is known. So is it that we want to hide the negatives? I can't stand for that because the other "reality" exists.
I think Drake's video was utterly disgusting(as it relates to Jamaica's image) compared to Rhianna's. The story line could be done at any residential location on the island even in a hotel, but hey not everyone would associate an 'attack' of that sort happening the way it did outside the slum... oh plz... The video had a retro vibe to it and was tastefully done.... but I have to agree 110% the impoverish connotation of the country is completely overrated and needs to stop...Tourism is one of the medium that we now have to rely on, it is not a good marketing strategy of the country if we keep on highlighting this form of imagery.
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