Politics in Media - Natalie Maines, Kanye West, and Pink

Natalie Maines, Kanye West, and Pink

Major TV news broadcasters such as BBC, CNN, CTV and NBC are some of the news channels that people depend on for gossip and what’s new. Many people believe that what they are being told on TV is true information. The audience doesn’t always receive the WHOLE story. Usually only the interesting and most dramatic thing is told. This is Politics in Media and the audience is greatly influenced by it.
Natalie Maines, a popular American singer from the Dixie Chicks made a comment at a concert in London, England where she said, “Just so you know, we’re ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas”. Ok so she is a popular American singer and is saying that about the president? What do the citizens have to say about the comment, especially the ones that support the president? This was ALL over the news and internet.Natalie Maines greatly got criticized for what she thought. When she realized that this is getting all over the media she decided to apologize and said “As a concerned American Citizen, I apologize to President Bush because my remark was disrespectful”. Personally I don’t think she should have apologized, because what happened to freedom of speech?

The apology from Natalie Maines:

http://www.thespeciousreport.com/2003_dixiechicks.html

Not only did Natalie comment about President Bush but also Kanye West.



On Live television, Kanye West states “George Bush doesn’t care about black people”. This comment was clearly made on live television surprisingly. His mike was cut off before he could continue, but the message went all throughout America and International countries. Personally I think that this also touched the issue of racism and history in America. Once again, what happened to freedom of speech? Think of it in a political way. Why wasn’t this issue made as big as Natalie’s? Perhaps because the comment Kanye made was about black people. If this was made a bigger issue, it would raise many more racism issues. Kanye said it on live television in front of a bigger audience than Natalie’s audience. Personally I think that Kanye’s comment was much more serious than Natalie’s. He also said "I hate the way they portray us in the media, if you see a black family, it says they’re looting. See a white family; it says they’re looking for food”. President Bush sure does have lots of people that dislike him.

Below is the video of what Kanye West has to say about this



Natalie Maines and Kanye West had something to say about President
Bush. Who else? Let’s see. Watch the video




That’s Right! PINK. She wrote the song Mr. President which was not approved for release as a single in the US. However Pink was more then glad to see the response from her fans and online broadcaster You Tube.

Natalie Maines, Kanye West, and Pink have different singing style and audiences. Natalie’s comment targeted Texans and supporters of America, Kanye’s comment targeted all of America, mostly the black community and Pink’s video most targeted all of America. Notice how Natalie’s comment was made a bigger deal then Kanye’s? And we all know Pink is a singer who will speak anything that is on her mind whether you like it or not. So after these three separate situations, what do you think? Political reasons for the outcomes?

Some protest songs from other eras are :
- “Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud” by James Brown
- “Get up, and Stand Up” by Bob Marley
- “Minority” by Green Day
- “Diamonds from Sierra Leone” by Kanye West
- “F--- the police” by N.W.A

WORK CITED :
http://www.thespeciousreport.com/2003_dixiechicks.html

http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Music/03/14/dixie.chicks.reut/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/03/AR2005090300165.html

http://www.spike.com/video/2678975