The youth of DIVAS (Digital Interactive Visual Arts Sciences) for Social Justice have produced a music video for Black History Month. DIVAS provides a 5 day a week after-school program in Laurelton (The Linden SDA School) and East New York( The Trey Whitfield School). Students were inspired by the Ashley DuBose song, “ Make Me. Black”. DuBose is an accomplished artist from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dubose’s record highlights the life experience of a person of African descent. She speaks of black excellence, beauty and the power of resilience.
DIVAS for Social Justice designed lessons around DuBose’s song beginning with teaching the students about the structure of a music video juxtaposed with learning the history of MTV (Music Television). The all music video station launched in 1981 and refused to play Black artists until 1984. At the time, Michael Jackson’s Thriller had been released. Jackson performed on Motown’s 25th Anniversary Special and his record sales skyrocketed. Jackson was signed to a record contract with CBS records. At the time, the head of the label threatened MTV stating that if Jackson’s video was not played he would pull all of the label’s music videos by rock groups from the station. Once Jackson’s “ Billie Jean”music video was played, Jackson’s Thriller album went on to become the biggest selling album of all time. In addition, students analyzed music videos by black artists in the 80’s through a critical lense identifying that in these narratives the protagonist was more than likely white, with the artist being placed in the background. This can be seen in Billie Jean and She Works Hard For The Money.
In an age where black girls are over sexualized and black boys are criminalized by even the early age of 9 or 10 we must create space for joy and love. The music video produced by youth celebrates the importance of brilliance in a child’s eye and the right to be a child. That is part of Black History too.
