Analysis of Cultural Artifacts

Kanye preaching from the podium demonstrates that he is trying preach an important message in his song. This message is that Jesus walks with everyone regardless of morals and past transgressions.

The prostitute, ganger member, and homeless guy with the alcohol all represent people who are involved with amoral and illegal activities. However because Jesus walks with everyone, they are not alone. That represents the meaning of Kanye’s lyrics that Jesus will always be there for people when they fall down.

The old black man in the wheelchair helping the homeless drunk cross the street, the kids helping the prostitute over the gate, and the old white man who helps the gang member that has been shot all have angelic wings and represent God-like figures. When these figures have helped their specific character they turn into white doves. The fact that multiple races, ages, and both female and male gender (shown by the kids) all represent God relays to the audience that God is not the stereotypical white man, but is every man. White smoke and a bright light surround these God-like figures to symbolize the crossing over of the three main characters. These main characters, the prostitute, homeless drunk, and gang member walk into church at the end of the music video and repent for their sins. The drunk puts down his alcohol, the gang members throws down his bandana, and the prostitute falls to the ground renouncing her body and how she has used it in the past.

The white doves. When the angels are facing oppression or violence they turn into doves and fly away. This is important because doves symbolize peace and are the forms the Holy Spirit take in the Christian religion.

Stereotypes of people. It is easy to tell whom the people in the video are supposed to represent. The drunk carries alcohol around with him and sits outside of a liquor store asking for change in order to buy more alcohol. The gang members wear oversized clothing, bandanas, and only button the top part of their shirt. And the woman wears a short shirt, tube top, and high heels. She stands outside of a rundown motel and the viewers can see that the video does not take place in a nice neighborhood. There are short scenes of dogs attacking, police brutality, and havoc filled streets all alluding to the fact that these are poverty stricken people.

Fire burns up their vices. Once in church the three people put in front of them what caused their previous demise. The drunk gives away his alcohol, the prostitute drops to the floor symbolizing that she will no longer use her body, and the gang member gives up his bandana to represent him leaving his gang. Once these items are places fire immediately engulfs them and the people then start over.