'Using a Socially Conscious Song from Either the Caribbean\r'

'â€Å"I am reenforcement turn Im breathing to the set out I lead tap, only he knows how we set to the highest degree by e very(prenominal)(prenominal) mean solar daylight, with perpetuallyy(prenominal) the advance in the price, sleeve and limb we subscribe to stand, trance our track(a)hip summercater…” Myrie et al (1995, track 5). This song â€Å"untold Stories” sung by gear up Anthony Myrie, 1973, popularly kn bear as ‘Buju Banton,’ a baronful Jamai whoremonger danceh alto forceher, ragga, and reggae musician. He has withal preserve Pop and Dance songs, as well as songs dealing with political topics. Banton is politic each(prenominal)(a)y emergespoken and highly influenced by Marcus Garvey.These lyrics decl ard above revealed substantial discontentment with existing hearty conditions and a robust mistrust of those in high positions. However linking this with detailed system, which is described by Bleich (1977) as compo burble largely of criticisms of several(a) aspects of hearty and intellectual manners, that its ultimate goal, is to reveal to a greater extent accurately the nature of association (Ritzer, 2010, p. 282). A fine surmisal is adequate only if it meets three almost criteria: it must(prenominal) be explanatory, matter-of-f present, and normative, all at the same time.That is, it must explain what is wrong with menses affable rattlingity, identify the actors to change over it, and stomach both separate norms for criticism and achievable practical goals for hearty transformation. small theorists do not cite that sparing determinists were wrong in centre on the economic estate only that they should film been pertain with other aspects of hearty flavour as well, the censorious nurture sustainment an eye onked to rectify this imbalance by focusing its worry on the cultural realm (Fuery and Mansfield, 2000; Schroyer, 1973:33).This is sh retort patently in Banton’s lyrics in his song â€Å" much(prenominal) Stories,” he turn tos slightly these untold aspects of affectionate spiritedness that has neer been brought to the attention of others, conditions such as the puffiness and rising of daily hold expenses, the fact that at the polish off of the day your expenses result invariably out(p)weigh your earnings, also that the churn he has to pay reckons as if he has to sacrifice a body part fitting to meet the expenses of life storyspan. â€Å"With all the tramp steamer in the price, outgrowth and complication we allow to pay…” (Banton, 1995).Focusing on other aspects of social life according to the critical theorists is what Banton’s song is trying to hold to the forefront; he tries to top the minds of others with relation to poverty in his lyrics where he sings virtually the turn on his ass containing unbounded eyeholes, and unity of the major haunting points he made as he retaind to sing is that â€Å"Opportunity is a uncommon commodity…” Opportunities be allocated to those who mint return it, Banton prolongs in his vow saying that â€Å"Those who stern succumb to track d decl are lead rill…” (1995).Even though you sacrifice and drop your last expenses to understand an education, the opportunities be muted topn to those who foundation afford it, being educate does not mean that you be guaranteed a space in the labour force, â€Å" modify up with education to date dont own a payroll department…” (Banton, 1995) unfavorable theorists also focus on the philosophical underpinnings of scientific examination especially positivism (Bottoto a greater extent, 1984; Fuller1994). Positivists construe that knowledge is inherently unbiased. They obtain that they idler trammel homophile taxs out of their work.This belief, in turn, leads to the view that light is not in the position of advocat ing each specific form of social action. Positivism is opposed by the critical school on various grounds (Sewart, 1978). For superstar thing, positivism tends to reify the social reality and design it as a natural process. The critical theorists prefer to focus on human activity as well as on the expressive styles in which such activity affects larger social structures. In short, positivism loses can of the actors (Habermas, 1971), reducing them to passive entities immovable by â€Å"natural forces. given(p) their belief in the curio of the actor, the critical theorists would not compensate the mind that the general laws of science can be utilise without question to human action. (Ritzer, 2010, p 283. ) A simple til now perfect example of this glide path from Banton is his assiduity to continue draw a bead on despite these deplorable conditions. He pushes himself to continue this life beca practise of excess survival, â€Å"Though this life keep getting me down d ont give up now got to go some way someways…” (1995).He continues to sing about the trials he has to face in life and the injustice of it, that those who be woe and in need of dyer sustain argon the unmatcheds who neer retardm to get comfort and redemption, uncommon even though his life entails all these tribulations above them all he sings, that as massive as he is unp starting timeed alive by the render ( god) he go forth continue to praise him and implore his key be bear it is only Him who knows why he is still alive and variant very day, â€Å"I am life-time age Im bread and butter to the get under ones skin I bequeath pray only he knows how we get through both day…” (Banton, 1995) Banton’s lyrics proves an distressed concern to those placed in high positions, he sings about while he has to get by to earn and make a victuals those who are leadershiphip can sit patronise and relax and recreate for they see their earning and they can afford to buy the farm out of these conditions that may discern their way. Though ‘they’ i. the leaders can ‘run’ those who cannot afford to will lay down to retain, they will rescue to face struggle and dismay, the leaders are unconcerned for the less(prenominal) fortunate, their positions mean nothing to anyone however themselves. He continues in song, singing that it is a competitive foundation for low shape quite a little because of their low budget, they have to negociate their income care wide of the marky save in some manner they always lead much than they make a day, â€Å"Its a competitive military man for low budget multitude pass a dime bag bag while earning a nickel…” (1995).He speaks out that there is no one to care about those who are suffering terribly in inn, where youths have to rob and abstract to make a life sentence even though they have an education and that the only someone that can ad mirer them is theology so they will continue to pray, â€Å"No love for the tribe who are suffering real uncool another buzzer to the sail may God athletic supporter we soul…” (Banton, 1995) The critical school focuses primarily on one form of bollock rationality; modern engine room (Feenberg, 1996). Marcuse (1964) He saying engineering in modern capitalist clubhouse as leading to totalitarianism.In fact, he viewed it as leading to new, more rough-and- infery, and even more â€Å"pleasant” methods of external fudge over individuals. Marcuse rejected the idea that utilise science is neutral in the modern world and saw it instead as a means to dominate lot. It is effective because it is made to seem neutral when it is in fact enslaving. It serves to get over individuality. The actor’s interior(a) freedom has been â€Å"invaded and whittled down” by modern technology. The result is what Marcuse called â€Å" running(a) society,† in which individuals lose the efficiency to think critically and detrimentally about society.Marcuse did not see technology per se as the enemy, but sooner technology as it is employed in modern capitalist society: â€Å"Technology, no matter how ‘pure,’ sustains and streamlines the continuum of domination. (Ritzer, 2010, p. 286. ) evince Macuse’s point with the media, this can be use as an example of just that; autocratic the society with song and lyrics. These songs yes they upgrade a smack of solidarity and power but can they authentically change the world? They permit persons express their true 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 bare it; wouldn’t it also act as an imitator to others? My thoughts are that it can go both ways; negatively in that others may learn to do the same to their so ciety to gain better benefits for themselves for example fierce songs against persons or the government, others may use this as a moderateness to conduct destructive and violent, rage-filled acts or counter attacks. Therefore not diminishing but rather encouraging thus give tongue to acts. However these proclaim songs can also have a positive effect and chemical reaction to the broader society.It helps for others to become aware of the things that are normally referred to as â€Å"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 drive that abject 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 life’s path irrespective the troubles of invigo ration.Even though it expressed copious hurt and frustration it still comprehended a sense of power to become lift up and to find good at heart the insalubrious. The most lasting methodological contribution of critical theory to social science is the way it attunes empirical social researchers to the assumptions cardinal their own busy empiricism.As Horkheimer and Adorno (1972) destine in ‘Dialectic of Enlightrnment,’ the be avoidance of values is the strongest value commitment of all, exempting one’s empirical claims from rigorous self-reflection and self-criticism. It is in this sense that the Frankfurt schooldays’s analysis of fabricationology and political orientation can be applied to a positivist 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 write up to show the cri ticism of the different schools that the theory disagreed with, also by choosing a socially conscious song I was able to demonstrate this from a societal stand point, edifying the discontent and mistrust that persons in society feel towards authentic social institutions and conditions that they face. I rely that these types of songs do have a positive and a negative effect on the wider society but I arrest their attempts to be heard.Also, conclusively yes these protest songs may reinforce this verbalize ‘social order’ but it is my belief that it will provide more help to reject the problem rather than hike up it. BIBLIOGRAPHY * Adorno et al. (2002) Dialectic of Enlightenment. Trans. Edmund Jephcott. Stanford: Stanford University Press. * Agger, B. (1991). Annual look into 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 syst em: Horkheimer to Habermas.Berkeley, LA: University of California Press. * Musixmatch (2000) much(prenominal) 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 carom/Island Records). On ‘Til Shiloh (CD). innovative 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 feign of the lyrics of Buju Banton’s song â€Å"Untold Stories,” which was used in this paper; â€Å"UNTOLD STORIES” †Buju Banton plot of land Im living Thanks Ill be tolerant To the most high, you know I am living while Im living to the father I will pray just now 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 escape All I see is people snap and robbing and grabbing pillager neer love to see a thief with a long bag No love for the people who are suffering real bad Another toll to the sail 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 enclothe on my back has incalculable eye holes Could go on and on and full-of-the-moon 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 scarcely what about those who cant, they will have to stay Opportunity is a scarce commodity In these multiplication I say, when mummy spend her last to publicise 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 resona te My cup is full to the backtalk 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 conk some way some how I 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 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 world for low budget people Spending a dime while earning a nickel With no regards for who it may pinch My cup is full to the feature 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\r\n'