Using a Socially Conscious Song from Either the Caribbean

I am living time Im living to the father I pull up stakes require, completely he roll in the hays how we get through e precise day, with entirely the hiking in the price, arm and ramification we wear to pay, sequence our leading play Myrie et al (1995, get behind 5). This variant Untold Stories sung by Mark Anthony Myrie, 1973, popularly known as Buju Banton, a flop Jamai skunk dancehall, ragga, and reggae musician. He has excessively recorded Pop and Dance songs, as well as songs traffic with political topics. Banton is politically outspoken and highly influenced by Marcus Garvey.These lyrics stated above revealed substantial discontent with breathing social conditions and a robust mistrust of those in high positions. However linking this with critical theory, which is described by Bleich (1977) as composing largely of criticisms of various aspects of social and intellectual keep, exclusively its ultimate goal, is to reveal more(prenominal) accurately the nature of society (Ritzer, 2010, p. 282). A critical theory is adequate only if it meets three criteria it essential be explanatory, practical, and normative, all at the same time.That is, it must explain what is wrong with current social acceptedity, invest the actors to change it, and provide both clear norms for criticism and achievable practical goals for social trans boundation. overcritical theorists do not opine that economic determinists were wrong in focusing on the economic realm but that they should slang been concerned with other aspects of social life as well, the critical school seeked to rectify this dissymmetry by focusing its attention on the cultural realm (Fuery and Mansfield, 2000 Schroyer, 197333).This is shown plainly in Bantons lyrics in his song Untold Stories, he speaks intimately these untold aspects of social life that has never been brought to the attention of others, conditions such(prenominal) as the inflation and rising of daily living expenses, the fact that at the end of the day your expenses volition always outweigh your earnings, also that the labour he has to pay have the appearance _or_ semblances as if he has to sacrifice a body part just to meet the expenses of life. With all the hike in the price, arm and leg we have to pay (Banton, 1995).Focusing on other aspects of social life according to the critical theorists is what Bantons song is severe to bring to the forefront he tries to enlighten the minds of others with relation to poverty in his lyrics where he sings about the habilitate on his back containing countless(prenominal) eyeholes, and adept of the major unyielding points he made as he continued to sing is that Opportunity is a scarce commodity Opportunities are allocated to those who whoremonger contribute it, Banton continues in his plight saying that Those who can afford to run entrust run (1995).Even though you sacrifice and crack your break expenses to gain an education, the opportunities are stil l given to those who can afford it, being educated does not mean that you are guaranteed a space in the labour force, Filled up with education in time dont own a payroll (Banton, 1995) Critical theorists also focus on the philosophical underpinnings of scientific doubt especially positivism (Bottomore, 1984 Fuller1994). Positivists believe that knowledge is inherently deaf(p). They feel that they can keep human value out of their work.This belief, in turn, leads to the view that information is not in the position of advocating any specific form of social action. Positivism is opposed by the critical school on various grounds (Sewart, 1978). For one thing, positivism tends to reify the social world and see it as a natural process. The critical theorists pick out to focus on human activity as well as on the ways in which such activity affects larger social structures. In short, positivism loses sight of the actors (Habermas, 1971), reducing them to passive entities headstrong by natural forces. Given their belief in the distinctiveness of the actor, the critical theorists would not accept the supposition that the general laws of science can be applied without question to human action. (Ritzer, 2010, p 283. ) A easy nevertheless perfect example of this coming from Banton is his perseverance to continue aspiring despite these deplorable conditions. He pushes himself to continue this life because of bare survival, Though this life keep acquiring me down dont give up now got to survive some(a) way somehow (1995).He continues to sing about the trials he has to face in life and the injustice of it, that those who are suffering and in need of dyer help are the ones who never seem to get comfort and redemption, but even though his life entails all these tribulations above them all he sings, that as long as he is kept alive by the Father ( theology) he will continue to praise him and solicit his name because it is only Him who knows why he is still alive and a ttempt very day, I am living while Im living to the father I will pray only he knows how we get through all(prenominal) day (Banton, 1995) Bantons lyrics proves an apprehensive concern to those laid in high positions, he sings about while he has to struggle to earn and make a living those who are leaders can sit back and relax and recreate for they have their earning and they can afford to move out of these conditions that whitethorn come their way. Though they i. the leaders can run those who cannot afford to will have to squelch, they will have to face struggle and dismay, the leaders are unconcerned for the less fortunate, their positions mean nothing to anyone but themselves. He continues in song, singing that it is a competitive world for scurvy class batch because of their low budget, they have to manage their income takefully but somehow they always pass more than they make a day, Its a competitive world for low budget people spend a dime while earning a nickel (1995) .He speaks out that there is no one to care about those who are suffering terribly in society, where youths have to rob and steal to make a living even though they have an education and that the only person that can help them is God so they will continue to pray, No love for the people who are suffering real distressing another toll to the poll may God help we soul (Banton, 1995) The critical school focuses to begin with on one form of formal rationality modern engine room (Feenberg, 1996). Marcuse (1964) He saw technology in modern capitalist society as leading to totalitarianism.In fact, he viewed it as leading to new, more trenchant, and even more pleasant methods of external control over individuals. Marcuse rejected the idea that technology is neutral in the modern world and saw it instead as a means to dominate people. It is onusive because it is made to seem neutral when it is in fact enslaving. It serves to suppress individuality. The actors inner liberty has been inv aded and whittled down by modern technology. The result is what Marcuse called one-dimensional society, in which individuals lose the ability to think critically and negatively about society.Marcuse did not see technology per se as the enemy, but rather technology as it is employed in modern capitalist society Technology, no matter how pure, sustains and streamlines the continuum of domination. (Ritzer, 2010, p. 286. ) Emphasizing Macuses point with the media, this can be utilise as an example of just that dominating the society with song and lyrics. These songs yes they invoke a adept of solidarity and power but can they truly change the world? They allow persons express their align selves by capturing a range of emotions and a sense of opposition, but what are they really doing for the society?This social order that they talk about, the one that seems so destructive, by broadcasting it wouldnt it also act as an imitator to others? My thoughts are that it can go both ways nega tively in that others may learn to do the same to their society to gain better benefits for themselves for example violent songs against persons or the government, others may use this as a reason to conduct destructive and violent, rage-filled acts or counter attacks. therefrom not diminishing but rather encouraging thus said acts. However these protest songs can also have a positive effect and reaction to the broader society.It helps for others to become aware of the things that are commonly referred to as unmentionables. Persons are able to give a voice to unspoken cries and speak out against the true things that cause problems and raise havoc in a society. This Buju Banton song encompassed a range of hidden emotions about struggle and the fight that poor people make on a daily basis, it did not only speak of the hurts and trials but also about the fight to stay alive and the perseverance and the power of pray and will to continue along lifes path disregarding the troubles of l iving.Even though it expressed inscrutable hurt and frustration it still comprehended a sense of power to become uplifted and to fuck off good within the bad. The most lasting methodological contribution of critical theory to social science is the way it attunes empirical social researchers to the assumptions underlying their own busy empiricism.As Horkheimer and Adorno (1972) indicate in Dialectic of Enlightrnment, the seem avoidance of values is the strongest value commitment of all, exempting ones empirical claims from rigorous self-reflection and self-criticism. It is in this sense that the Frankfurt Schools analysis of mythology and ideology can be applied to a positive social science that purports to transcend myth and value but, in its own methodological obsessions, is mythological to the very core. (Agger, 1991, p. 111. )Therefore leading from this point, I used critical theory in this paper to show the criticism of the diametric schools that the theory disagreed with, also by choosing a socially conscious song I was able to confront this from a societal stand point, illuminating the discontent and mistrust that persons in society feel towards trustworthy social institutions and conditions that they face. I believe that these types of songs do have a positive and a negative effect on the wider society but I support their attempts to be heard.Also, conclusively yes these protest songs may honour this said social order but it is my belief that it will provide more help to press out the problem rather than encourage it. BIBLIOGRAPHY * Adorno et al. (2002) Dialectic of Enlightenment. Trans. Edmund Jephcott. Stanford Stanford University Press. * Agger, B. (1991). Annual Review of Sociology. JStor. Vol. 17. Pp. 105-131. * Frank, K. L. (1944). What is Social Order?. American journal of Sociology. Vol 49 (5). Pp. 470-477. * Held, D (1980). Introduction to Critical Theory Horkheimer to Habermas.Berkeley, LA University of California Press. * Musixmatch (2000) Untold Stories Lyrics. Elyrics. net. Retrieved March 14, 2013, from http//www. elyrics. net/read/b/buju-banton-lyrics/untold-stories-lyrics. html. * Myrie, Browne, Germaine. (1995). Untold Stories (Loose Cannon/Island Records). On Til Shiloh (CD). New York, NY Island. (1995). * Raymond G. (1981). The Idea of a Critical Theory. Habermas and the Frankfurt School. (Cambridge University Press,1981) * Ritzer, G (2010). George Ritzer Sociological Theory. New York, NY McGraw-Hill. APPENDIXAttached is a copy of the lyrics of Buju Bantons song Untold Stories, which was used in this paper UNTOLD STORIES Buju Banton While Im living Thanks Ill be giving To the most high, you know I am living while Im living to the father I will pray only when he knows how we get through every day With all the hike in the price, arm and leg we have to pay While our leaders play All I see is people ripping and robbing and grabbing Thief never love to see a thief with a long bag No love for the people wh o are suffering real bad Another toll to the poll may God help we soulWhat is to stop the youths from getting out of control Filled up with education yet dont own a payroll The habilitate on my back has countless eye holes Could go on and on and full has never been told I am living while Im living to the father I will pray Only he knows how we get through every day With all the hike in the price, arm and leg we have to pay While our leaders play I say who can afford to run will run But what about those who cant, they will have to stay Opportunity is a scarce commodity In these measure I say, when mama spend her last to send you to class Never you ever playIts a competitive world for low budget people Spending a dime while earning a nickel With no regards for who it may tickle My cupful is full to the brim I could go on and on and full has never been told Through this life keep getting me down Dont give up now Got to survive some way some how I could go on and on and full has neve r been told I am living while Im living to the father I will pray Only he knows how we get through every day With all the hike in the price, arm and leg we have to pay While our leaders play All I see is people ripping and robbing and grabbingThief never love to see a thief with a long bag No love for the people who are suffering real bad Another toll to the poll may God help we soul What is to stop the youths from getting out of control Filled up with education yet dont own a payroll The clothes on my back has countless eye holes Could go on and on and full has never been told I am living while Im living to the father I will pray Only he knows how we get through every day With all the hike in the price, arm and leg we have to pay While our leaders play I say who can afford to run will runBut what about those who cant, they will have to stay Opportunity is a scarce commodity In these times I say, when mama spend her last to send you to class Never you ever play Its a competitive wor ld for low budget people Spending a dime while earning a nickel With no regards for who it may tickle My cup is full to the brim I could go on and on and full has never been told Could go on and on and full has never been told Could go on and on and full has never been told Could go on and on and full has never been told Could go on and on and full has never been told