The term paper is to examine the depiction of American Exceptionalism and White Supremacy as two cultural concepts in media. Therefore, the origin of these two phenomena will be explained and related to events in the course of America’s historical development.
In order to analyze the perception of American culture by people with different ethnic backgrounds “Only in America” (2001) by Brooks and Dunn, a song performed by white artists, and “Black Rage” (2014) by Lauryn Hills, representing an African-American perspective, have been chosen.
Hence, the term paper is to define the two concepts American Exceptionalism and White Supremacy and is to point out how these are depicted in two songs written by descendants of two different ethnic backgrounds.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Presentation of two Cultural Phenomena
2.1 American Exceptionalism
III. Depiction of these Concepts in Media
3.1. “Only in America” (2001) by Brooks and Dunn
3.2. “Black Rage” (2014) by Lauryn Hill
IV. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This academic paper examines the disparate portrayals of American Exceptionalism and White Supremacy within contemporary music by analyzing "Only in America" (2001) by Brooks and Dunn and "Black Rage" (2014) by Lauryn Hill, ultimately highlighting how ethnic background and social positioning shape the perception of the American Dream and national identity.
- Analysis of the historical and cultural origins of American Exceptionalism and White Supremacy.
- Examination of the "American Dream" narrative within country music as a symbol of white privilege and patriotism.
- Critique of systemic racism, police violence, and historical injustice from an African-American perspective.
- Comparison of conflicting interpretations of U.S. national identity and equal opportunity.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1. “Only in America” (2001) by Brooks and Dunn
“Only in America” is a country song published in 2001 by Brooks and Dunn. Before analyzing the lyrics one can already state that the genre of the song underlines its message as the two songwriters made use of a genre associated with the United States and the countryside of America. The choice underlines the patriotism transmitted by the song.
In the first stanza of the song, the narrator explains the scenery of a “school bus driver in a traffic jam” in New York City where the sun had just risen (00:20). The driver looks through her mirror and sees “the Promise of the Promised Land” (00:38). The children who are sitting on the bus, are seen as the “Promise” of the United States as they are situated at the sunrise of their life and at the beginning of their journey to happiness. The song alludes to the Promised Land, the imagery of terra nullius given to the Chosen People and Founding Fathers by God. By doing so, he supports the Puritan idea of being pilgrims guided to the New World to conquer a place meant to be for their use and purposes.
In the following part, the narrator talks about the possibilities the children on the bus have, as the “Promise” (00:38) of America. “One kid dreams of fame and fortune, One kid helps pay the rent, One could end up going to prison, One just might be president” (00:45-01:10). What is significant is the presence of a vast range of opportunities and possible conducts of life. The verses suggest that one could be anything in America. This rather indirect inclusion of the American Dream is enhanced by a more direct form in the fifth verse where the narrator explains that one child “dreams of fame and fortune” (00:45) as this represents the socio-economic facet of the American Dream, “upward mobility” and the fact that dreams can possibly become reality.
Summary of Chapters
I. Introduction: This chapter defines the core concepts of American Exceptionalism and White Supremacy and establishes the research focus on the songs by Brooks and Dunn and Lauryn Hill.
II. Presentation of two Cultural Phenomena: This section provides the historical and theoretical background necessary to understand American Exceptionalism and White Supremacy as foundational cultural constructs.
III. Depiction of these Concepts in Media: This central chapter conducts a lyrical and thematic analysis of the two chosen songs, contrasting the white perspective of the American Dream with the African-American critique of systemic injustice.
IV. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, confirming that ethnic and social status fundamentally alter the perception of American identity and the validity of the American Dream.
Keywords
American Exceptionalism, White Supremacy, American Dream, Brooks and Dunn, Lauryn Hill, Country Music, Hip-Hop, Social Justice, Cultural Phenomena, Systemic Racism, Promised Land, Racial Discrimination, National Identity, Political Discourse.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper explores how American Exceptionalism and White Supremacy are depicted in media, specifically comparing the contrasting perspectives in two American songs.
Which theoretical concepts are central to the study?
The study centers on the definition and historical development of "American Exceptionalism" and "White Supremacy" as cultural phenomena in the United States.
What is the main objective of the analysis?
The objective is to verify how different ethnic backgrounds influence the perception of the "American Dream," equality, and social justice.
Which songs serve as the primary research subjects?
The research analyzes "Only in America" (2001) by the country duo Brooks and Dunn and "Black Rage" (2014) by the artist Lauryn Hill.
What methodology is employed to analyze these songs?
The author uses a qualitative analysis of song lyrics, genre characteristics, and historical context to contrast the socioeconomic viewpoints presented by the artists.
What does the paper conclude regarding the American Dream?
It concludes that while some view America as a land of unlimited opportunity, others perceive the American Dream as an illusionary concept that hides systemic inequality and exclusion for people of color.
How does the choice of musical genre influence the songs' messages?
The genre is critical; the country song emphasizes traditional American patriotism, while the Hip-Hop genre is utilized by Hill to provide a platform for social critique and black pride.
Why does Hill reference the shooting of Michael Brown in her work?
The event serves as a catalyst for Hill to address ongoing issues of police violence and the failure of the American system to provide equal rights for all citizens.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Lina Gertzmann (Autor:in), 2021, White Supremacy and American Exceptionalism, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1132410
