White America
ENG 280
04/09/2012
Song Analysis “White America” is a song in which Eminem creates many contradictions to show inconsistencies in the American social structure. This is important because it reveals critical flaws in the American society that gives false illusions to immigrants and U.S citizens that the United States plays fair in wars.
Eminem plays as a voice for the American people. Through his music he points out the flaws in our government and speaks to the people who have been entrapped by it. In the first verse Eminem describes America as “the stripes and the stars for the rights men have died for to protect, the women and men who have broke their necks for the freedom of speech the United States government has sworn to uphold”(Eminem). In the first line he puts stress on “stripes” and “stars” which creates an image of patriotism. Eminem believes that it’s a false image of patriotism that the U.S government pushes forward to the American people. Twisted words and excellent social control helps the government to convince the American public into believing anything they want us to believe. In my eyes we are all equal, we are human beings, patriotism creates unnecessary conflict which pushes hostility towards one another. In the background of the song you can hear whizzing sounds which represent the national anthem and sound of the Blue Angels F-16’s fighter jets, which is a military symbol of America. In the next three verses, the words “rights,” “died,” and “protect” (Eminem) remind Americans of the sacrifices the country has to make to receive such rights as “the freedom of speech the United States government has sworn to uphold” (Eminem) and to encourage them to appreciate these rights since they are here because of the sacrifices of many women and men. In this song Eminem describes to the people that all American people possess these natural rights. The governments’ job is to uphold and protect these rights meaning they were pre-existent and not
04/09/2012
Song Analysis “White America” is a song in which Eminem creates many contradictions to show inconsistencies in the American social structure. This is important because it reveals critical flaws in the American society that gives false illusions to immigrants and U.S citizens that the United States plays fair in wars.
Eminem plays as a voice for the American people. Through his music he points out the flaws in our government and speaks to the people who have been entrapped by it. In the first verse Eminem describes America as “the stripes and the stars for the rights men have died for to protect, the women and men who have broke their necks for the freedom of speech the United States government has sworn to uphold”(Eminem). In the first line he puts stress on “stripes” and “stars” which creates an image of patriotism. Eminem believes that it’s a false image of patriotism that the U.S government pushes forward to the American people. Twisted words and excellent social control helps the government to convince the American public into believing anything they want us to believe. In my eyes we are all equal, we are human beings, patriotism creates unnecessary conflict which pushes hostility towards one another. In the background of the song you can hear whizzing sounds which represent the national anthem and sound of the Blue Angels F-16’s fighter jets, which is a military symbol of America. In the next three verses, the words “rights,” “died,” and “protect” (Eminem) remind Americans of the sacrifices the country has to make to receive such rights as “the freedom of speech the United States government has sworn to uphold” (Eminem) and to encourage them to appreciate these rights since they are here because of the sacrifices of many women and men. In this song Eminem describes to the people that all American people possess these natural rights. The governments’ job is to uphold and protect these rights meaning they were pre-existent and not
Cited: Unknown. ""White America" Lyrics." EMINEM LYRICS. Http://www.azlyrics.com. Web. 09 Apr. 2012. <http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/eminem/whiteamerica.html>. Ford, Ryan. "Hip-Hop White Wash: The Impact of Eminem on Rap Music and Music Industry Economics." Socialism and Democracy Online. Word Press. Web. 09 Apr. 2012. <http://sdonline.org/36/hip-hop-white-wash-the-impact-of-eminem-on-rap-music-and-music-industry-economics/>.