Melissa,
Over the past few days I have received more than a dozen emails linking me to various pro-Obama music videos. The most popular one has been the Will.I.Am produced “Yes, We Can” which features a slew talented musicians and actors (plus Nick Cannon) singing the words to Obama’s instantly classic South Carolina speech. In addition, there have been a series of homemade rap videos floating around the Internet endorsing Obama’s campaign. To be honest, I’m not sure what to think of it all.
Aside from my clear issues with Obama’s candidacy, I’m uneasy about the role of New Media in political discourse. On the one hand, outlets like YouTube and Myspace provide powerful spaces for young people to engage in public and counter-public conversations related to politics. In particular, such spaces create new sites of possibility for political education, organizing, and activism. For example, the Internet served as a powerful mobilization tool during the Jena 6 controversy. On the other hand, I worry that such outlets reduce electoral politics to another pop culture fad. Again, this is not a critique of Obama per se, but the larger media sphere of which he has become an icon. Does this the spread of a viral “Obama Girl” video lead Generation Y to examine Obama’s agenda or transform him into an American Idol contestant?
Marc
Marc Lamont Hill is Assistant Professor of Urban Education and American Studies at Temple University.
