Running head: CULTURAL INFLUENCES IN THE MEDIA

Cultural Influences in the Media

Julie Estep
Fresno Pacific University

CULTURAL INFLUENCES IN THE MEDIA

Cultural Influences in the Media

In the media there are multiple cultural influences. The Black Lives Matter
Movement, or B.L.M., is extremely popular, cultural, and controversial topic that is
presently being influenced through the media. Many people explain it as black people
against white people due to how the media has shaped it. B.L.M. was started when a
black man, Michael Brown, was fatally shot by a white policeman named Ferguson.
Since the shooting the Black Lives Matter movement has grown nationwide through the
media and it is the subject of division and unity amongst white and black people. The
Black Lives Matter movement has caused violence and riots but it has also raised
important issues against discrimination based on the color of someones skin.
In the music industry the Black Lives Matter supporting artists have used their
musical platform to influence the media so it will raise awareness to the cause. Videos for
songs like Beyoncs Formation, have created controversial responses within the
general public. In her video it shows white policemen surrounding a black child who is
dancing with a wall behind him that says, dont shoot in spray paint. She only chose
white men as police officers not any other race to raise awareness to police brutality
against African Americans. The media has made sure to cover that aspect of her video
although her songs lyrics are not about police brutality at all. Singer and Songwriter John
Legend has also used his musical talents to influence the topic of racial through his song
Glory. In the song Glory John sings,
Hands to the Heavens, no man, no weapon Formed against, yes glory is
destined Every day women and men become legends Sins that go
against

our skin become blessing The movement is a rhythm to us

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Freedom is like
just ain't specific

religion to us Justice is juxtapositionin' us Justice for all

enough One son died, his spirit is revisitin' us

Truant livin' livin' in us,

resistance is us That's why Rosa sat on the

bus That's why we walk

through Ferguson with our hands up When it

go down we woman and man

up They say, "Stay down", and we stand up Shots,

we on the ground, the

camera panned up. (Common &Legend, J., 2016).

These lyrics are paying homage to the fact that black people are inferior for the color of
their skin. This song shows that black people worry about being shot, and even made a
reference to the Michael Brown and Ferguson shooting in the song much like Beyoncs
Formation video. Songs, Formation and Glory are a cultural influence for B.L.M.
in the media.
The Black Lives Matter Movement has even reached professional sports. Colin
Kaepernick has used his media influence to spread his beliefs to the people of this nation.
He used his fame to shine the light on a culture he feels is being mistreated for the color
of their skin. On twitter a newspaper article published by Vibe.com quoted Kaepernick
stating, I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses
black people and people of color, Kaepernick said to Steve Wyche. To me, this is
bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are
bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder
(Thompson, 2016, para. 1). Colin is doing this to help stop police brutality of black
people. The media has covered his controversial act of kneeling for the national anthem
starting in August, and it is still a huge topic in the media almost two months later. Colin

CULTURAL INFLUENCES IN THE MEDIA

has become a subject to internet memes describing how he is either disrespecting the
United States of America or how he is being a pillar for racial injustice in the country.
Not one discriminatory word towards a race was used to bring awareness to the
Black Lives Matter movement in Beyoncs Formation, John Legend and Commons
Glory or Colin Kaepernicks interview. Although in every one of these examples white
people were the main source of the problem. The media has intensified this rift between
white and black cultures. As a result supporting and non-supporting Black Lives Matter
videos are everywhere on media and social media sites constantly influences the general
public.

CULTURAL INFLUENCES IN THE MEDIA

References
Chola, S. [Stanslaus Chola]. (2016, March 28). Formation Explicit. [Video File].
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZDEX2ggvao.
Common, Legend, J. (2014). Glory [Recorded by Common and John Legend]. On
Selma- Music from the Motion Picture [CD]. New York, United States: Columbian
Records.
Thompson, D. @desire_renee. Colin Kaepernicks Anthem Protest Was Inspired By
Black Lives Matter Movement. August 27, 2016 - 2:52 pm Retrieved from
http://www.vibe.com/2016/08/colin-kaepernicks-anthem-protest-inspired-byblack-lives-matter/.