Blog 3: For this entry, you will turn to representations of race, particularly African-American (Black) identity, in music videos. 



Begin by choosing a music video featuring a Black artist or artists (if you are unsure if an artist would be described as “Black,” just ask me). This can be any genre (style) of music that you would like.

Next, analyze the identity dynamics at work:

Which traits of the main artist, or group of artists, are emphasized? (This may be appearance, clothing style, behaviors, lyrics, etc.) Also: are there non-Black people in the video, and do they represent different traits?

Does the main artist(s) fit into any of the five stereotypes of African Americans in early film (Coon, Uncle Tom, Mammy, Black Buck, Tragic Mulatto)? How so?

*Within your blog entry, include some mention of other identity categories, and how they intersect with race. For example, gender: are there typical traits that define women, and traits that define men, in these videos? Or, class: do you see markers of “class,” such as style of clothing?