Activism
The poem/song calls to action individuals who have a common struggle, to come together and start a revolution. The writer however takes a unique route to start a revolution. He asserts that the revolution must happen mentally. Once our minds conclude that there need to be certain systematic changes, only then can a revolution take shape. Real activism is seeking solutions and fighting for them at all costs.
Media Coverage
The most used references in this poem/song come from the media. The writer uses this avenue to show the lack of coverage of African-American communities in America. The media has been whitewashed and the despicable truths about America lie way beyond the four corners of your television set. The poem/song’s performance on the charts is in itself a statement of how acts to spark revolutions are often muted and censored from the public to keep the status quo of power running. Media is used extensively as a way to suppress people through limited or sometimes false information.
Consumerism
The writer also brings up a valid argument against consumerism in America. Big corporations that own most basic products also own media houses that they used to control their consumers. Consumerism acts as a blindfold to the common people of America, keeping them away from realizing the harsh truths about their nation. For generations, corporations have gravitated their marketing strategy to cater to minorities. These people are convinced by the media that it’s essential for them to own a specific brand because they come from a targeted racial base. This further fuels the racial divide in America.
