What signs are used, for example, to signify an individual or groups of people?

In this paper you will be applying a semiotic analysis to compare two music videos and discuss how various forms of identity are signified, whether the videos reinforce stereotypes, challenge stereotypes, or do a bit of both. Choose two out of the list of videos posted below — or you may pick one of your own choosing and one from the list below — and depending on what is depicted in each video, analyze how race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and/or age are signified and depicted. What signs are used, for example, to signify an individual or groups of people? Be sure to distinguish between the signifier and what you think is signified. How do the camera angles or movements work to convey values, attitudes, and the intent of the video? Your analysis should help you develop an argument about signifying practices. What concepts or theories that were discussed in class can help us make sense of these cultural practices and forms of representation? (For example, hegemonic masculinity, toxic masculinity, enlightened sexism, ideology, cultural appropriation, etc.)

There has been a great deal of debate recently about the problems of cultural appropriation–the often inappropriate act of borrowing or stealing elements of another culture, typically by members of another and more dominant culture, and twisting using them to your own ends. Cultural appropriation uses the objects or elements of a non-dominant culture in a way that doesn’t respect their original meaning, give credit to their source, or reinforces stereotypes. (Theres a video posted below as well about this.) Do you think any of the videos you chose have done this and if so, what is your reaction? How do you think the pleasure of the music, including the lyrics, might shape ones reactions to the visual depictions, in finding them stereotypical or not? And what might be some of the consequences of the representations in the videos you chose?

The music videos you will be comparing are “Black and White” by Michael Jackson and Miley Cyrus, “We Can’t Stop”
Please use at least 3 of the sources provided to cite from.

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