Michael Jackson Exam Question

Michael Jackson Exam Question

Analyse how the Billie Jean music video by Michael Jackson uses stereotypes to represent a varying representation of ethnicity. (10 marks)

The music video 'Billie Jean' by Michael Jackson, from 1982, highlights a number of positive and negative representations of ethnicity. It draws upon a number of ethnic stereotypes including Michael Jackson being presented as a young black male artist.

Billie Jean was released by Michael Jackson in 1982, and at the time, black male artists were not seen in the music industry. Billie Jean is an example of a historically significant music video as the video was one of the very first videos on MTV to feature a black artist and be aired on regular rotation by the channel. The video's immense popularity helped bring MTV into the mainstream and breakthrough racial barriers on TV networks. Therefore, creating a sense of enlightenment for different ethnicity's. Michael Jackson is seen as a positive role model for young black male artists in the music industry.

The mise-en-scene highlights a number of stereotypes used in the music video. For example, he puts money into a golden cup, in order to give a homeless man some change. This is shown to transform the mans life as he is seen to switch from being in old, baggy clothes, to being in an expensive suit. This subverts stereotypes of black males being seen as bad, negative people and portrays them in a positive light as he is seen to help someone else in need, which is not how black males are usually portrayed in the media. Additionally, Michael Jackson is seen walking down the street and the paving slabs light up on every step he takes. This could connote to his star image as it could refer to his glamorous life as a pop star. It could also link to subverting stereotypes because it can be seen as a way of portraying him in a positive light and portraying him to be seen as an idol, again showing Michael Jackson representing ethnicity in a good way. Furthermore, mise-en-scene highlights stereotypes of the press. The detective is seen to always be holding a camera and following Michael Jackson every step he takes. This portrays the constant media attention to artists in the music industry and wanting to know what they are doing all the time. This also links to the media portraying artists in a negative way as they are trying to only show them in negative ways instead of showing the positive things about them or what they do. Michael Jackson is trying to show how these issues can get so out of hand in the media. He not only has to worry about it personally but he now has to dodge people trying to make the situation even worse. This is shown when he is leaning on the pole but then disappears as soon as the press takes the photo.

Therefore, ethnicity is presented in this music video in a positive light as Michael Jackson is seen to subvert stereotypes as is seen as a role model for black male artists in the music industry.