![Picture](/uploads/2/0/3/1/20310959/3005212.jpg)
Racial Profiling: Genre Analysis of an Image and the Lyrics of a Song
Introduction:
White and Black are two different colors in which people classify them just because of the skin color. For the past years, racial profiling has always been an issue in America. Though, it is highly increasing in certain states. It is an issue that cannot be eliminated from one day to the next because of the time that has elapsed and nothing has been made to change this mentality. Different People living in America need to get educated on race before they start labeling “that black men” or “that white men.” But how are these men going to get educated? When are they going to learn that we are all equal men entitled for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? Who is going to try to make a change? All these questions are frequently asked but no answer can be provided. Though there are certain Americans that are aware of such issue and are trying to decrease the conflict. Some persuade to stop racial discrimination by posters, signs, videos, commercials, newspaper articles, books, etc.
The way an author organizes and structures his genre is very important in order to be able to convey his message appropriately. Therefore, this is where the texts color, shape, size, and style come in place. Also, depends on the visual elements or the way they writer writes his book, article, etc. how the creator can make an impact on the way the message is going to be received. For example, an image created for Mayo Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Baltimore City Mayor, by the CASA de Maryland and the lyrics of the song Fuck da Police by N.W.A., Niggaz Wit Attitudes an American hip hop group from California, are structures very different but the message they both try to convey is the same. They both use different genres and structure them in a way that the message is reached but can improve in other ways. Therefore, one genre gives more fruit than the other one and we will see why.
Purpose and Audience:
Genre 1: Image created for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake by the CASA de Maryland
The intended audience for this genre is for those who they label themselves white or black. Also for cops who are racist as well as any person who has experienced racial discrimination. Another type of audience who the author is trying to reach is to physical or mental doctors who treat victims of racial profiling. The author may also convey the message to the people in the white house who make the laws. In addition, those victims in Baltimore who are being target just because of their skin color. It can also imply to those immigrants in Arizona who are being target at because of the law named Arizona Senate Bill 1070 known as Arizona SB 1070. The author is also trying to alert America about a conflict that is going on and is increasing as time elapse.
Though, what the audience knows is that racial profiling has increased worldwide and that there are many protests regarding that issue. Also, they know that the Constitution states that all men are created equal. Therefore, they are entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Another thing that they are aware of is that because of this label, whites and black, they have created a line dividing them into two separate types of human beings. Moreover, the audience knows there is an increase of institutions that are helping illegal immigrants, they are the ones being target the most because there is more Mexicans and are color skin, so that they can be treated equally in any part of America. They want to know what organizations are contributing to this fight. If there is more than 50% of Americans in this country who are trying to make this change? The audience also wonders if there is anything that has already been done to try to eliminate this boundary. They want to know if there is an increase or decrease of discrimination over all in the world.
The audience will spend a good 10 minutes with this genre to be able to analyze and dissect what the author is trying to convey. Also this genre can be broken down into many little discussions therefore you can expect over 20 minutes of analyzing. They say an image can say more than one word. With that said, it all depends on how well the audience is willing to dig to accomplish what they are looking for. The author's purpose for this genre is to persuade people to stop racial profiling. That no matter what color your skin shows on the outside, we are all human beings. It is also trying to inform the audience about the issue of racism with cops stopping those people who have skin color. Yet on the other hand white people are able to drive the streets with no fear of
police men.
The language in this image is formal. The reason is because even though all it says is “Stop Racial Profiling” it is formal spelling and writing. The message is done formal so that the reader knows that this is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. Also, it is properly spelled with no slang words. This specialized vocabulary uses ordinary language. This is because they are words that we use in our ordinary lives. There is no specific language like the way a doctor, a tax professional, a dentist or a teacher speak just formal language but it is appropriate to the audience.
Genre 2: Lyrics of the song Fuck da Police by N.W.A., Niggaz Wit Attitudes
For this genre the discourse community they are trying reach is white cops who are racist to black people. The intended audience can also be for niggas, black men, who have been discriminated by a white uniform cop. Though, the court can also apply that this message is for them because most cases are not taking the side of justice. They declare the nigga guilty because he is black. This genre alerts all people living in L.A., Los Angeles, since it does mention that this scene is happening in L.A. In addition, it is trying to reach and alert everyone of what is happening in L.A. with these racist cops.
Though, the audience knows that black men like to smoke, do weed, carry guns, and be in gangs but they stereotypes all black men to be this way. They know the number of racist cops is increasing everywhere in the world. The audience also knows that the creators of this genre are black people therefore, it is a single story. On the other hand, the audience wants to know why exactly this group of black men got stopped as well as why did the cops have a warrant to arrest Easy-E’s? The audience also wonders why he was pledged guilty if the judge should be applying justice to every case. In addition, they want to know if there was an appeal on the judges’ final decision since it was decided unjustly.
The audience will spend at least 15 minutes in reading the lyrics of the song and analyzing it correctly. Each scene written is very important for the reader to understand what is going on to understand the scenario. They can also spend about another 30 minutes on making research on whom these singers are. While the purpose for this genre is to inform, persuade, and entertain. This genre can be classified as informative because it is telling a story about how police stereotype black people. To inform the people that cops in L.A. are not going by the law but as what they think is right. That white cops think black men are the minority especially when token to jail because that is where they are mainly mistreated. Though you can also say that it is persuading its audience in an in directive way to make a change because there is many cases in which they are token to court but even if the black man is not guilty the judge pledges them guilty just because. On the other hand we can say that the purpose of this genre
is to entertain since it was created into a song. The song has a meaning but it is entertaining its audience with a beat to the story.
The language of this genre is informal because they use “da” for the, “em” for them, “yo’” for your, cause for because and a lot more slang words through the whole song. This slang vocabulary is specialized in a way that most gangs talk like this. Therefore, the specialized vocabulary here would be classified as gangster language. They have created this type of language to make themselves unique from other communities. Even though this language is not appropriate to the audience because young kids can catch to words like “Nigga” and it is a disrespectful word. It also consists of bad words not appropriate to the audience.
Compare/Contrast Purpose and Audience For Genres:
Both genres are trying to persuade the same message but in different ways. They want to stop racial profiling but the image expresses it through a visual and the lyrics through words. The images’ main purpose is for the audience to see that cops are stopping color skin drivers just because of the color while the lyrics are trying to inform the audience how niggas get stopped just because with no probable cause and when going to court the judge is unfair. Also, the image has a more general audience while the lyrics main audience is cops and judges at courts.
Rhetorical Issues: Ethos, Pathos and Logos:
Genre 1: Image created for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake by the CASA de Maryland
This image does establish credibility since it is a picture representing a letter that was sent to Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Baltimore City Mayor, by the CASA de Maryland. It refers CASA de Maryland, a Latino and immigrant organization that fights for the rights of the citizen, therefore it is credible. Also, the message it conveys establishes credibility because it is a real life situation that occurs everywhere in the world and what is being portrait makes sense. This genre evokes a sense of shame to all those cops who stop black people who are driving just because they see the color of the skin. It also brings an emotion of wanting to make a change for racial profiling to stop. There is no data trying to support this issue but it is reliable because it is true that more black men are stopped than white men. Therefore, it still makes it a credible source and can be reliable.
Genre 2: Lyrics of the song Fuck da Police by N.W.A., Niggaz Wit Attitudes
This genre establishes credibility by knowing that a couple of black singers are singing this song from an experience they witnessed when a cop stopped them. Also, the fact that Ice Cube says he swears to tell the truth and nothing but the whole truth gives it credibility. The information is also presented in an orderly manner which means it is reliable. It is trying to evoke an emotion of anger towards cops who stereotype black men to be a certain way. It also expresses an emotion of sorrow for all those black men who have gone to jail and have been treated inappropriately by white cops. The audience may also feel that something should be done at court offices so that judges side to justice and not to white cops just because they see black or white skins. As you can see this source can be credible but at the same time it cannot be because it is a single story and they do not refer any organizations nor anything like that. It is just a testimony from the victim.
Compare/Contrast Rhetorical Issues: Ethos, Pathos and Logos for Genres:
These genres are very different when speaking about ethos, pathos and logos. The image presents ethos by letting us know that it is an image created by the CASA de Maryland while the lyrics does not really refer to anyone and is written in a single story. Though, pathos is better used in genre 2, lyrics, because of the way the singer gives his point of view with very effective words. He says words that are very touchy in the way that come from the bottom of his heart. The way the image uses pathos is less effective than genre 2 because it just shows how cops are unfair with color skin people. Lastly, logos is well used by both genres since it is logical and the message or story telling is structured in the right order that makes sense to the reader.
Structure and Delivery:
Genre 1: Image created for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake by the CASA de Maryland
Now the structure of the image is presented appropriately to the audience. It has a
title persuading to stop racial profiling followed by a picture with an example of how cops are racist with black men. Therefore, the author does accomplish to send his message. Though, there are some limitations on the image since there is neither data nor more detailed information about how racial profiling is affecting the audience. This genre also limits itself because since it is an image there are only a few words given to describe the message it is trying to carry out. Indeed, it has a freedom to express what it needs to expressed through visual representation. The structure of the image also makes it easy to send its message because of the way it has “Stop Racial Profiling” as a title and a picture representing racial discrimination.
Genre 2: Lyrics of the song Fuck da Police by N.W.A., Niggaz Wit Attitudes
The organization on the lyrics is organized in a sequence of events in order to transfer its message. The singers first swear to say the truth in this song. Then, they say a testimony to the judge taking care of his case. He gives background information on how black men are treated when taken to jail and how they are seen in society. After that they say “Fuck the Police” which is the chorus to the song and is intended to show their hate towards police because they are racist to black men. Then he continues the story in scenes and at the end he is pledge guilty by the unfair judge. This type of genre gives lots of freedom to express what needs to be expressed. The singers say everything exactly the way he feels and express most of his words with anger even if it is a bad word. No words are held back just simply said the way it is coming from inside his heart. As a result of this structure, the song is able to convey its message to its audience with no limitations. Though it limits the side of the story of why the cop is reacting in such way. The structure of this song facilitates it purpose by giving credibility in the beginning of the song. The judge, Dr. Dre, asks Ice Cube “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help your black ass?” (N.W.A. 2008). As a result, the structure allows the message to be passed on to the audience.
Compare/Contrast Structure and Delivery for Genres:
The structures of both genres are organized in a manner that makes sense and is credible. Also the way they both deliver their message is well planned out for both genres. This phase of the analysis was well done for both, the image and the lyrics. There was no confusion on the way it was planned and was able to convey the message smoothly.
Conclusion/Synthesis:
In conclusion, both genres were well done. They both had something stronger than the other. The most reliable source between both was the image because it delivers its message to a more general audience than the lyrics. Also, it contains more credibility than the lyrics since the lyrics of the song are based on a single story. Both genres had a well done structure and both processed the message to the reader the right way but the image was more effective. The image wrote the less but conveyed a stronger message than the lyrics.
Introduction:
White and Black are two different colors in which people classify them just because of the skin color. For the past years, racial profiling has always been an issue in America. Though, it is highly increasing in certain states. It is an issue that cannot be eliminated from one day to the next because of the time that has elapsed and nothing has been made to change this mentality. Different People living in America need to get educated on race before they start labeling “that black men” or “that white men.” But how are these men going to get educated? When are they going to learn that we are all equal men entitled for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? Who is going to try to make a change? All these questions are frequently asked but no answer can be provided. Though there are certain Americans that are aware of such issue and are trying to decrease the conflict. Some persuade to stop racial discrimination by posters, signs, videos, commercials, newspaper articles, books, etc.
The way an author organizes and structures his genre is very important in order to be able to convey his message appropriately. Therefore, this is where the texts color, shape, size, and style come in place. Also, depends on the visual elements or the way they writer writes his book, article, etc. how the creator can make an impact on the way the message is going to be received. For example, an image created for Mayo Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Baltimore City Mayor, by the CASA de Maryland and the lyrics of the song Fuck da Police by N.W.A., Niggaz Wit Attitudes an American hip hop group from California, are structures very different but the message they both try to convey is the same. They both use different genres and structure them in a way that the message is reached but can improve in other ways. Therefore, one genre gives more fruit than the other one and we will see why.
Purpose and Audience:
Genre 1: Image created for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake by the CASA de Maryland
The intended audience for this genre is for those who they label themselves white or black. Also for cops who are racist as well as any person who has experienced racial discrimination. Another type of audience who the author is trying to reach is to physical or mental doctors who treat victims of racial profiling. The author may also convey the message to the people in the white house who make the laws. In addition, those victims in Baltimore who are being target just because of their skin color. It can also imply to those immigrants in Arizona who are being target at because of the law named Arizona Senate Bill 1070 known as Arizona SB 1070. The author is also trying to alert America about a conflict that is going on and is increasing as time elapse.
Though, what the audience knows is that racial profiling has increased worldwide and that there are many protests regarding that issue. Also, they know that the Constitution states that all men are created equal. Therefore, they are entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Another thing that they are aware of is that because of this label, whites and black, they have created a line dividing them into two separate types of human beings. Moreover, the audience knows there is an increase of institutions that are helping illegal immigrants, they are the ones being target the most because there is more Mexicans and are color skin, so that they can be treated equally in any part of America. They want to know what organizations are contributing to this fight. If there is more than 50% of Americans in this country who are trying to make this change? The audience also wonders if there is anything that has already been done to try to eliminate this boundary. They want to know if there is an increase or decrease of discrimination over all in the world.
The audience will spend a good 10 minutes with this genre to be able to analyze and dissect what the author is trying to convey. Also this genre can be broken down into many little discussions therefore you can expect over 20 minutes of analyzing. They say an image can say more than one word. With that said, it all depends on how well the audience is willing to dig to accomplish what they are looking for. The author's purpose for this genre is to persuade people to stop racial profiling. That no matter what color your skin shows on the outside, we are all human beings. It is also trying to inform the audience about the issue of racism with cops stopping those people who have skin color. Yet on the other hand white people are able to drive the streets with no fear of
police men.
The language in this image is formal. The reason is because even though all it says is “Stop Racial Profiling” it is formal spelling and writing. The message is done formal so that the reader knows that this is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. Also, it is properly spelled with no slang words. This specialized vocabulary uses ordinary language. This is because they are words that we use in our ordinary lives. There is no specific language like the way a doctor, a tax professional, a dentist or a teacher speak just formal language but it is appropriate to the audience.
Genre 2: Lyrics of the song Fuck da Police by N.W.A., Niggaz Wit Attitudes
For this genre the discourse community they are trying reach is white cops who are racist to black people. The intended audience can also be for niggas, black men, who have been discriminated by a white uniform cop. Though, the court can also apply that this message is for them because most cases are not taking the side of justice. They declare the nigga guilty because he is black. This genre alerts all people living in L.A., Los Angeles, since it does mention that this scene is happening in L.A. In addition, it is trying to reach and alert everyone of what is happening in L.A. with these racist cops.
Though, the audience knows that black men like to smoke, do weed, carry guns, and be in gangs but they stereotypes all black men to be this way. They know the number of racist cops is increasing everywhere in the world. The audience also knows that the creators of this genre are black people therefore, it is a single story. On the other hand, the audience wants to know why exactly this group of black men got stopped as well as why did the cops have a warrant to arrest Easy-E’s? The audience also wonders why he was pledged guilty if the judge should be applying justice to every case. In addition, they want to know if there was an appeal on the judges’ final decision since it was decided unjustly.
The audience will spend at least 15 minutes in reading the lyrics of the song and analyzing it correctly. Each scene written is very important for the reader to understand what is going on to understand the scenario. They can also spend about another 30 minutes on making research on whom these singers are. While the purpose for this genre is to inform, persuade, and entertain. This genre can be classified as informative because it is telling a story about how police stereotype black people. To inform the people that cops in L.A. are not going by the law but as what they think is right. That white cops think black men are the minority especially when token to jail because that is where they are mainly mistreated. Though you can also say that it is persuading its audience in an in directive way to make a change because there is many cases in which they are token to court but even if the black man is not guilty the judge pledges them guilty just because. On the other hand we can say that the purpose of this genre
is to entertain since it was created into a song. The song has a meaning but it is entertaining its audience with a beat to the story.
The language of this genre is informal because they use “da” for the, “em” for them, “yo’” for your, cause for because and a lot more slang words through the whole song. This slang vocabulary is specialized in a way that most gangs talk like this. Therefore, the specialized vocabulary here would be classified as gangster language. They have created this type of language to make themselves unique from other communities. Even though this language is not appropriate to the audience because young kids can catch to words like “Nigga” and it is a disrespectful word. It also consists of bad words not appropriate to the audience.
Compare/Contrast Purpose and Audience For Genres:
Both genres are trying to persuade the same message but in different ways. They want to stop racial profiling but the image expresses it through a visual and the lyrics through words. The images’ main purpose is for the audience to see that cops are stopping color skin drivers just because of the color while the lyrics are trying to inform the audience how niggas get stopped just because with no probable cause and when going to court the judge is unfair. Also, the image has a more general audience while the lyrics main audience is cops and judges at courts.
Rhetorical Issues: Ethos, Pathos and Logos:
Genre 1: Image created for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake by the CASA de Maryland
This image does establish credibility since it is a picture representing a letter that was sent to Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Baltimore City Mayor, by the CASA de Maryland. It refers CASA de Maryland, a Latino and immigrant organization that fights for the rights of the citizen, therefore it is credible. Also, the message it conveys establishes credibility because it is a real life situation that occurs everywhere in the world and what is being portrait makes sense. This genre evokes a sense of shame to all those cops who stop black people who are driving just because they see the color of the skin. It also brings an emotion of wanting to make a change for racial profiling to stop. There is no data trying to support this issue but it is reliable because it is true that more black men are stopped than white men. Therefore, it still makes it a credible source and can be reliable.
Genre 2: Lyrics of the song Fuck da Police by N.W.A., Niggaz Wit Attitudes
This genre establishes credibility by knowing that a couple of black singers are singing this song from an experience they witnessed when a cop stopped them. Also, the fact that Ice Cube says he swears to tell the truth and nothing but the whole truth gives it credibility. The information is also presented in an orderly manner which means it is reliable. It is trying to evoke an emotion of anger towards cops who stereotype black men to be a certain way. It also expresses an emotion of sorrow for all those black men who have gone to jail and have been treated inappropriately by white cops. The audience may also feel that something should be done at court offices so that judges side to justice and not to white cops just because they see black or white skins. As you can see this source can be credible but at the same time it cannot be because it is a single story and they do not refer any organizations nor anything like that. It is just a testimony from the victim.
Compare/Contrast Rhetorical Issues: Ethos, Pathos and Logos for Genres:
These genres are very different when speaking about ethos, pathos and logos. The image presents ethos by letting us know that it is an image created by the CASA de Maryland while the lyrics does not really refer to anyone and is written in a single story. Though, pathos is better used in genre 2, lyrics, because of the way the singer gives his point of view with very effective words. He says words that are very touchy in the way that come from the bottom of his heart. The way the image uses pathos is less effective than genre 2 because it just shows how cops are unfair with color skin people. Lastly, logos is well used by both genres since it is logical and the message or story telling is structured in the right order that makes sense to the reader.
Structure and Delivery:
Genre 1: Image created for Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake by the CASA de Maryland
Now the structure of the image is presented appropriately to the audience. It has a
title persuading to stop racial profiling followed by a picture with an example of how cops are racist with black men. Therefore, the author does accomplish to send his message. Though, there are some limitations on the image since there is neither data nor more detailed information about how racial profiling is affecting the audience. This genre also limits itself because since it is an image there are only a few words given to describe the message it is trying to carry out. Indeed, it has a freedom to express what it needs to expressed through visual representation. The structure of the image also makes it easy to send its message because of the way it has “Stop Racial Profiling” as a title and a picture representing racial discrimination.
Genre 2: Lyrics of the song Fuck da Police by N.W.A., Niggaz Wit Attitudes
The organization on the lyrics is organized in a sequence of events in order to transfer its message. The singers first swear to say the truth in this song. Then, they say a testimony to the judge taking care of his case. He gives background information on how black men are treated when taken to jail and how they are seen in society. After that they say “Fuck the Police” which is the chorus to the song and is intended to show their hate towards police because they are racist to black men. Then he continues the story in scenes and at the end he is pledge guilty by the unfair judge. This type of genre gives lots of freedom to express what needs to be expressed. The singers say everything exactly the way he feels and express most of his words with anger even if it is a bad word. No words are held back just simply said the way it is coming from inside his heart. As a result of this structure, the song is able to convey its message to its audience with no limitations. Though it limits the side of the story of why the cop is reacting in such way. The structure of this song facilitates it purpose by giving credibility in the beginning of the song. The judge, Dr. Dre, asks Ice Cube “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help your black ass?” (N.W.A. 2008). As a result, the structure allows the message to be passed on to the audience.
Compare/Contrast Structure and Delivery for Genres:
The structures of both genres are organized in a manner that makes sense and is credible. Also the way they both deliver their message is well planned out for both genres. This phase of the analysis was well done for both, the image and the lyrics. There was no confusion on the way it was planned and was able to convey the message smoothly.
Conclusion/Synthesis:
In conclusion, both genres were well done. They both had something stronger than the other. The most reliable source between both was the image because it delivers its message to a more general audience than the lyrics. Also, it contains more credibility than the lyrics since the lyrics of the song are based on a single story. Both genres had a well done structure and both processed the message to the reader the right way but the image was more effective. The image wrote the less but conveyed a stronger message than the lyrics.
References:
CASA De Maryland. (Photographer). (2011). Help end racial profiling in the city of baltimore. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.change.org/petitions/help- end-racial-profiling-in-the-city-of-baltimore
N.W.A. (2008, 05 17). Fuck tha police lyrics by n.w.a.. Retrieved from http://www.lyricsdepot.com/n-w-a/fuck-tha-police.html
CASA De Maryland. (Photographer). (2011). Help end racial profiling in the city of baltimore. [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.change.org/petitions/help- end-racial-profiling-in-the-city-of-baltimore
N.W.A. (2008, 05 17). Fuck tha police lyrics by n.w.a.. Retrieved from http://www.lyricsdepot.com/n-w-a/fuck-tha-police.html