For this blog post, I watched both the Formation and This is America music videos and analyzed their importance. There were many things that I noticed within each of them.

Formation

The formation music video holds a lot of symbolism within the production. Beyonce used this song to show the injustices that the black community is facing, especially black women. I found this video to be very empowering as the women within the music video take on all roles that traditional white women assumed back in the day. At moments Beyonce was in a formal gown sipping tea and then she was on a cop car underwater. All of the scenes within the video symbolize different aspects of the hardships that black women have to face every day. I thought one of the most recognizable aspects was Beyonce herself. In each scene, she was in a new outfit and had completely different hair. Not only does this show her success but it puts a lot of focus on her. She proves that she is using her platform to make a difference for her community.

This is America

This is America is additionally a very important music video. Even though it takes more of a direct approach, it is just as effective. Within the music video, the audience is able to see Childish Gambino and the black community around him. At one moment he is happy and dancing and in another, he is seeing his friends die. I think this is to show how this is normal for his community. It is to show that it is not shocking to see in the media anymore. It is in some ways disturbing for the audience to watch. The music video is so impactful because it is more of a realistic video that society can relate to.

Both music videos achieve their purpose of sending a message. Both have a deeper theme of displaying injustices within the country. By doing so, both artists used their platforms to spark change.