Using the comparison of these two texts as your starting point explore the media issues and debates which they raise:

• Key concepts
• Contextual factors – wider contexts
• Media theory
  

‘The Revolution Will Not Be Televised’ (text 1) by Gill Scott–Heron discusses the representation of black people whilst critiquing the ‘white media’. ‘Your Revolution’ (text 2) by Dj Vadim ft Sarah Jones explores the rebellion of black females. Both texts explore the concept of the 'Black Power'.

Text 1 portrays the conflict between the white and blacks, portraying ethnic minorities inferior within the media, which is encouraged by the marxist theorist Karl Marx who is concerned with the idea of instituions such as the media being a form on hegemony. This is shown through the line “There will be no pictures of pigs shooting down brothers in the instant reply” The diction ‘pig’ has been used to describe police whilst referring to the “brothers” as victims, also emphasising on the quantity of black victims, therefore creating a sense of unity. Heron uses the diction “brother” to strengthen the relation between the black people and also re-emphasising the fact that the majority feel the same. This theme of victim is also present in Jones’ ‘Your Revolution’ she is taking a feminist stance, portraying the black females as victim of patriarchy “Your revolution will not make you feel bombastic, and really fantastic” the representation of black males are now being reversed, and exaggerating this male characteristics in a negative way. Jones successfully presents her views through the use of parody, as she makes fun of the black males that have been shown in the media

Both texts also use the effective technique of repetition. Text one repeats his core argument “your revolution will not be televised” therefore implying that there is a lack of positive representation of blacks in the media due to the ethnocentric system. Similarly, Jones also repeats the theme of revolution “your revolution will not happen between these thighs” this has more of a literal meaning, suggesting that men see women as sex objects, which is explicitly presented in the line “The real revolution ain’t about bootie size” this is therefore implying that a women’s assets are important. Which is emphasized by the theorist Laura Mulvey who talks about women being the object of the ‘male gaze’ being stereotypical shown and fulfilling the qualities of being ‘to be looked at ness’ and referring to women as second class citizens. She explores the perception of women through the male’s perspective. She also repeats the idea of women living in a patriachal society.

Both texts refer to the process of advertising, whilst parodying the intentions. In text one, “The revolution will not give your mouth sex appeal. The revolution will not get rid of the nubs”, similarly in Jones she discusses similar idea’s of the revolution not being about “The versaces you buy or the Lexus you drives” Both texts explore the consumers response to advertising, as they are left feeling products/services are necessary. Jones also dwells on the point that the black people have been so materialised that they are now treating women as bad as they were once treated, this is shown through the black artist such as 50 cent and P diddy. Which also emphasising the point that the glamour and false consciousness the black people maintain.


‘Your revolution’ by Sarah Jones is seen as post-modern text, as it makes reference to other texts for example “Doing it and doing it and doing it well” this has been extracted by a well known black artist LL Cool J. By this intertexuality she parody’s other black people, who have taken advantage of the glamour, fame and money. Therefore implying that these men are not satisfying her “and me, [sigh] faking between these thigh’s” unlike Heron’s song this also has a humorous field to it, by mocking the male intentions and treatment of women almost making these men feel ashamed and embarrassed. By talking well known phrases from other black artist also shows how the audiece firmiliarity and identification with these artists, this encourages the 'use and gratification' theory that audiences look up to these artist.

Both texts talk about the unfair treatement of the black people, however text one appears to display the inequal status and representation in the media whilst text two takes a more of a feminist approach. Although both texts are discussing a revolution of black people.