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Gye L. Riddick II
Dr. Wynne
ENG 102
24 Jan 2016
Racial Stereotypes: Genre Analysis of a Song and YouTube Video
Every human being that is alive on this earth has some form of pre-conceived racism and
stereotypical ideas. No matter how much one tries to stray away from those pre-conceived
notions, they are still there. Unfortunately, a lot of that has to do with how individuals were
raised. Some people are born into highly conservative households, and some are born into liberal
households. Due to these wide spectrums, there are always going to be some differences and
presumptions about one another otherwise known as stereotypes. Moreover, the idea of preconceived stereotypes forming has become an increasingly big problem each day.
Such stereotypes are expressed in many ways. Two specific genres that paints a clear
picture on the stereotypes that lie inside every individual are through societys current use of
media. These genres are used in White Privilege II, a song written by artists Macklemore &
Ryan Lewis, and Stereotypes Racial Identity & Biases, Beliefs, and Beats, two YouTube
videos uploaded by creator iAmOTHER. Through these genres, it paints a clear picture on how
crucial stereotyping is and some preventive actions that can be made to combat racial
stereotypes.

Audience and Purpose

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The intended audience for the song is directed towards todays youth and towards White
America. The intent for the video is to shed light on not only white privilege, but to the racist
stereotypes that many individuals have. Macklemore used himself as a catalyst to reach out to
America by releasing a song that exposes many of the racist ideologies and pre-conceived
notions many white Americans have. In White Privilege II some of the lyrics state the
following: Hip-hop has always been political, yes, Its the reason why this music connects. So
what the fuck has happened to my voice If I stay silent when black people are dying? Then Im
trying to be politically correct If Im only in this for my own self-interest, not the culture that
gave me a voice to begin with, then this isnt authentic, it is just a gimmick (Macklemore). He
explains his position that he is put in when using African American culture to achieve success
while doing so he explains the implications and how many people on the opposite spectrum feel.
Moreover, because Macklemore released such a controversial song, it provides some hope on
what can be done to create a world that is equal.
In regards to the YouTube videos, not only is the audience intended for todays youth, but
it is broadcasted worldwide. People from different countries are able to see the message that
America is sending through stereotypes. In iAmOTHERs YouTube videos, they are solely
interviewing individuals they see on the streets. By using this type of genre, if a person decides
to navigate through the web looking for information on stereotypes, it will be available.
Ultimately, through the use of those two genres, it provides ease in depicting serious issues and
demonstrating how to battle tough issues.

Rhetorical Issues: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos

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In regards to trying to decipher rhetorical devices, it is difficult to find credibility through
the ones responsible for the YouTube video and songs. The genres chosen are set up solely on
audience feedback. As a result of these genres relying on mostly feedback, it allows for a lot of
emotional appeal. The emotional appeal is expressed through individuals opinions. Additionally,
a lot of logical appeal is present also. In Macklemores song White Privilege II, it states the
following: Blood in the streets, no justice no peace. hands up! Dont shoot! (Macklemore
and Ryan Lewis ft. Jamila Woods). That quote holds a lot of logistics and truth to it. In the past
year, the amount of law enforcement violence has been at an all-time high. In addition to that,
there has been little to no justice for African Americans. The depiction of logical and emotional
appeal is prominent when looking through these two genres.

Structure
The two genres chosen offer a clear layout in terms of understanding a motif. Throughout
the song and YouTube videos its easy to follow along with what the individuals are saying. Its
not unorganized each person interviewed is separate which allows for more organization.
They are asking people questions, and how it relates to society summing up majority of the
video While it would be believed that a song would be hard to follow, especially if it is rap, thats
not the case. Macklemores White Privilege II consists of rapping, but its easy to follow. It all
flows smoothly which is not common for most artists. In addition, it provides a different
structure that most rap songs have. While most rap songs stick to eleven to twelve bar verses
with a chorus, Macklemore decided to incorporate longer verses along with quotes and feedback
that America has constantly said. For example, in one part of White Privilege II, an anonymous

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voice gives an analogy to the Black Lives Matter movement. This irregular song structure
emphasizes the importance of the message to a higher level.

Style & Language

The genres chosen use more informal language than formal. As previously mentioned,
they focus on audience feedback and everyone has different formalities. In the YouTube
videos, the individuals interviewed ranged from high-school students to full-fledged adults. The
style and language used for the YouTube videos were based on opinion. In iAmOTHERs
Stereotype video, one of the interviewees listed general stereotypes. Some of these stereotypes
include the following: Asian people eat rice, own nail salons, have chinky eyes and do some
type of martial arts, The first thing that comes to mind when black people are mentioned is
niggas and black people who speak very fluent are always labeled with talking white
(iAmOTHER). Additionally, the use of opinions is common in Macklemores White Privilege
II. Through the length of the song, he places many different voices explaining their opinions on
controversial issues. Some of these issues were touched on when he quotes: Youre the only
hip-hop that I let my kids listen to, cause you get it, all that negative stuff isnt cool. Like all the
guns and the drugs, the bitches and the hoes and the gangs and the thugsEven the protest
outside, so sad, and so dumb. If a cop pulls you over, its your fault if you run (Macklemore and
Ryan Lewis ft. Jamila Woods). The opinions stated clearly shows the stereotypes many people
have, thus creating negativity.

Conclusion/Synthesis

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In essence, the genres analyzed prove authentic, coherent, and reliable. Todays youth is
highly cherished, so hearing what the youth has to say really provides incentive to what America
can do to combat the struggles that we face on a daily basis. The genres chosen coherently
display rhetorical strategies that are commonly used, along with the style and language that
todays youth and media uses. Ultimately, while both genres depict a better picture on the gravity
of the matter of stereotyping in todays society, Macklemores White Privilege II is most
effective doing so. With its use of personal anecdotes, analogies, and rhetorical strategies used
throughout the song, Macklemore cohesively demonstrates how racial stereotyping is so crucial,
and how it can be broken down and combatted.

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Works Cited

iAmOTHER, Stereotypes Biases, Beliefs & Beats. YouTube. 1 Dec. 2012.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNPh4GQbQq4 24 Jan. 2016
iAmOTHER,

Stereotypes

Racial

Identity.

YouTube.

12

Nov.

2012.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z6yKGiDMdo 24 Jan. 2016

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis (ft. Jamila Woods) white privilege II. Genius, n.d
http://genius.com/Macklemore-and-ryan-lewis-white-privilege-ii-lyrics 24 Jan. 2016