"…bully’s suck no matter what country you are from…" Well, okay. If that was the message, that's okay. But those bullies had American flag arm bands — anonymity was not the intention there. Avatar was more subtle! Also, I bet the kids on the set were more open about asking "What's the message here?" than most journalists who talk to M.I.A. (me included). But I also doubt her publicist was there keeping an eye on things.
[from the comments on Stereogum's M.I.A. "Born Free" video post.]
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4 Comments on ““I am the redhead shot in the head in M.I.A.’s video…””
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With the recent passing of Arizona’s immigration law, I think the video and message are especially apropos for the times. I feel that the American flags were necessary to show that even in America, a target ethnic group can be unreasonably “bullied” which encourages profiling (of any sort) and “endangers public safety and betrays American values” (Reuters quote).
I agree that it’s an important message and an appropriate one. But I don’t agree that this video, with the over-the-top violence, conveys that message well. I’d say 80% of the discussion has been around the medium — the video banned on YouTube, the redhead jokes, the gratuitous kid explosion. It didn’t have to be subtle. M.I.A. isn’t subtle. But I feel the intention was to draw attention to itself rather than an issue, which is a cynical thing to do.
Hey .you person maikng noise it’s fine if singers want to sound different than? the studio version as long as the live version sounds just as good or better. That’s not picky that’s maikng sense. Professional singers are called professional for a reason. You should be able to sing. Period. Why should fans settle?? They are the ones giving singers fame afterall I’m just saying. Why should fans lower their standards for professional singers who can’t sing that well??