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Video Analysis
We watched this video the other night at youth group. It isn't a video I would typically show. But a number of our youth, and their parents, had already seen the video. We had some good conversation. Some felt the video was an accurate portrayal of the pressures youth face on a daily basis. Others found the video to be racist. And some saw the video as purely a scare tactic--designed to encourage people to follow Jesus out of fear.
What do you think?
--Jacob
17 comments:
I can understand the undertone of racism in this particular version of the skit: a white Jesus saves a white girl from the various minority students. What message could that subtly send to African-American students?
On the other hand, it's a powerful moment when the Christ figure breaks through everything to reach the girl. So it's a mixed bag, I guess. I've seen it done with other students, and the message came across without the potential racist undertone.
Interesting. Not sure what to make of this...or what exactly it is saying to teens about Jesus. Is that the way it really is? Hang with Jesus and he defeats all your demons? I do see the subtle racism, though I doubt it was intended. That, of course is the problem with much of the racism in our culture -- it is so ingrained that we don't even notice it.
This is a powerful skit when used in the right context...I have seen teens from Chile use a similar version to great success during evangelism campaigns in their own country as well as other Latin countries...my experience would certainly cancel out the racial aspect of the version you showed...overall the skit is good at relaying the basic message of the cross...anything beyond that and I suspect we are asking too much of something artistic with no dialogue!
Brian said, "That, of course is the problem with much of the racism in our culture -- it is so ingrained that we don't even notice it."
I think that's only have the problem. The other half is that we find racism in places where it was never intended.
I have seen this video (and live versions) of it many times, and until it was pointed out that "white Jesus saves white girl from minorities", I never noted it.
I never noted it because I was sure the intent was to share Jesus love, strength, support, etc. Not to dis minorities.
Truly, I think the other would be dismayed, shocked and slightly offended if people approached and said, "your video is racist!"
ER, I meant "half" the problem not "have" the problem.
WOW -- my spelling is ATROCIOUS today! I meant the "author" not the other!
Anyway, the gist of what I was saying is still true.
Ish, I see what you are saying (and don't worry - spelling doesn't count on this blog!) : )
Brian
OK, note to self, stop commenting and texting at the same time.
The gist is still clear, is what I meant. My opinion, I learned long ago, does not necessarily make a thought true. Sorry about that.
Brian,
I've seen this video a lot recently. My teens back in April did this drama for an event we did for little kids. I find it a powerful representation of Christ. I think it talks of some of the things teens struggle with and how Christ is the vanquisher of all Satan throws at us. However, I feel that this particular skit has been "played out" (if that term is still used). I've seen it done so many times that now I am numb to it. We need to keep inventing things of this sort, yet once we find something good, we seem to attach to it and never get creative again...just some thoughts, good post tho brother!
Racist? No way! They are all Christians who are doing a skit, it's not racist. You see racism b/c you want to see it.
I think it makes Jesus look like a wuss, who isn't in control.
I really like this video. It just moves me. Until this moment, I had never thought of any of the negative comments many of you all have brought up. Several of my "unchurched" students watched this and it made a huge impact on them. I believe it was the visual they needed to understand how Jesus can pull us out of the crap that swallows us up.
@ st.brianstine
"Racist? No way! They are all Christians who are doing a skit, it's not racist."
Are you suggesting that because someone claims to be Christian that they cannot possibly be racist, either intentionally or unintentionally?
I would assume the people doing the skit had good intentions and weren't thinking "let's make a subtly racist skit about Jesus." But good intentions don't always equal loving actions, and I think it's healthy to be aware of what the skit could communicate.
Jacob - I really liked the video, but I found the casting a disapointment. Why couldn't they have just cast Jesus as the african-american? I think it was very ignorant not to when you consider how many negative messages african american youth receive in the media. i wonder if we would consider it "subtle" racism if our youth groups were predominantly african-american. i really don't think so. I feel it is important as a person who works with youth to encourage not only white youth to be aware of messages in the media that can elevate white people and put down people of color, but also - for youth who are african american youth to find healthy role models and messages about their identities. it is because of these strong feelings i have that i am not sure if i would show this to my youth group unless they were a little more mature and able to process it with me.
to be sure, it is a hard topic. i think i face these questions everytime we do skits. just this past sunday, i had a kid portraying a kid who was not listening to his parents and being disrespectful. my kid (who was white) started putting on a funny accent which made him sound like he is from the "hood". i like to think he did not mean it in a mean way and he does not realize the racist implications, but i struggle all the time with how much to allow. on a good day, we can talk about it and have a good discussion. on a bad day, it can take energy out of a skit that was once funny and i am just a stick in the mud.
i had some other issues with it seeming to be homophobic, but that is another comment for another day.
But the message is powerful. I would imagine if I showed this to my youth, I would invite discussion around the theological questions: Why did Jesus wait until the girl was really struggling until he came in? Can we dance with anyone besides Jesus? does jesus really take away depression and feelings of worthlessness?
Those were my big theological questions I would try to bring conversation on. bottom line: i would hope it would be a long night with good conversation because i would not want the message of the video alone to be the last thing the kids thought.
thanks for the provocative thought and video on a friday morning!
One thing about racism, sexism, anyism -- you will always find it when you are looking for it.
I agree that we must be sensitive to race, sex, age, disability, etc., but being overly sensitive cannot be the answer. It leaves you crippled to do anything.
Again, I am sure that whoever filmed this would be shocked and disappointed that people found a message that was clearly not intended.
I thought this video was an excellent depiction of god defeating satan. At first glance it would appear that the skit had racial undertones, but then a caucasian girl also walked out onto the stage. The most profound part of the skit was when the demons were pushing the young girl away from god and then god broke through and defeated them. An excellent video...it definitely warrants a discussion with youth after viewing so that they completely understand that it is about defeating demons they face in their lives each day and that it is not racist.
I watched this video like 30 times when it first came out. I don't think there's a single racist thing about it. If you think everyone has to be in a certain spot on the screen to avoid being racist, that's too bad.
The only thing that made me a little squeamish was the stereotypical suicide bit, I understand it's hard to get a whole lot of message into a little space like a music video, but that seemed a little gratuitous.
Overall, I think the message is spot on.
I have watched this skit several times and did not notice the color of the participants until I read the comments. If an african american wa cast as Jesus, would it be racist against whites? Certainly not. The color of those in the skit is unimportant and the true message seems to be lost: God saves. He doesnt care if you are white, black, hispanic, asian, middle eastern, etc. God loves everyone regardless. If
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