Identity and Music Commercialization in Song for Ourselves

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Plot Summary
Theory
Analysis
Conclusion
References

Introduction

The film chosen for study is Song for Ourselves by Tadashi Nakamura. It tells about a musician known in the 70s by the name of Chris Iijima, who, with the help of his music, raised quite severe and relevant topics of that time. One of the main topics that were identified when viewing this work was Asian American identity and the commercialization of music, which are relevant to this day since often this kind of creativity can contribute to significant changes in society.

Plot Summary

The film Song for Ourselves tells about the life of one of the famous Asian Americans, Chris Iijima. Particular importance at the beginning of the work is given to the significance of the black movement and the Vietnam War and how these events affected the later life of America in the 70s. It was at that time that art became a way of expressing political agenda and thought (Nakamura, 2013). However, the primary revelation for Iijima was familiarity with Asian music, through which people found their voices. Filmmakers decided to make a mixture between past and new narratives, thus gradually creating a full-fledged picture. It is noted that Chris Iijimas children only learned in adulthood that their father was a famous musician who made a significant contribution to the struggle for social justice and the identity of Asian Americans. His music was broadcast on national television, and almost everyone in America knew about him. The cinematographic work shows what power music has on movements in society.

Theory

Conflict theory of the construction of race can be vital when discussing the selected topic. This is because it focuses on the inequalities that arise due to race, nationality, and ethnicity. Based on the film, it can be concluded that Chris Iijima is making an attempt to touch society in order to limit the inequality that has arisen and spread awareness about the importance of cultures. The main task that Iijima and his bandmates wanted to achieve was to provide the Asian-American community with a voice. This desire also included the struggle for identity self-determination in a country where the nationality and culture of musicians were alien (Burgett & Hendler, 2014). Thus, this knowledge helps to understand better the concept of the author of the film under study.

Analysis

Commercialization of music becomes one of the topics raised in the film Song for Ourselves. Hence, the musician Chris Iijima, when gaining popularity, refused to do a full-fledged business out of his activities, as he believed that this would compromise it (Nakamura, 2013). This was due to the fact that the main task of the singer and musician was not to gain profit from his work but to help and attract peoples attention to the movements for the rights of not only Asians but also other oppressive racial minorities in the United States. The second theme, which can be clearly traced in the studied cinematic picture, becomes the Asian-American identity. Therefore, the film tells that Chris Iijima was passionate about this topic since being born Asian in Boston; he struggled with the concept of self-identity through race and culture (Nakamura, 2013). Music has become an agent that has assisted him in determining his own value and the contribution he can make to society through it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I believe that the film Song for Ourselves is an important source for studying such topics as racial identity and peoples struggle to spread awareness about it. Moreover, it is valuable to emphasize the negative effect of the commercialization of music, since in this case art changes its basic purpose, to reach more people. Watching and analyzing the film gave me a greater understanding of how important their culture is for people, and how it is necessary to expand my knowledge in order to create the most favorable and equal society.

References

Burgett, B. & Hendler, G. (Eds.) (2014). Keywords for American cultural studies. NYU Press.

Nakamura, T. (2013). A song for ourselves [Film]. Center for Asian American Media.

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Identity and Music Commercialization in Song for Ourselves

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