The given analysis will primarily focus on the harmful aspects of Haidt’s three “great untruths,” which are setting up the current generation for failure, and how the author’s key message in regards to the importance of civil engagement is reflected in a song by The Black Eyed Peas’ “Where Is the Love?” It should be noted that three “great untruths” addresses actively promoted myths, such as trusting one’s feelings, life is a battle between evil and good people, and what does not kill someone making him or her weaker. In other words, these “untruths” propagate hate and divisiveness within a society and societies.
The Black Eyed Peas’ “Where Is the Love?” song is an ideal illustration of Haidt’s key message of civil engagement being a sole answer to divisiveness and hate. The lyrics of the song “Yo’, whatever happened to the values of humanity whatever happened to the fairness and equality,” where the singers address the fact that the effects of these “untruths” are already visible in the current generation (“The Black Eyed Peas – Where Is The Love? (Official Music Video)”). It is also stated that “Wrong information always shown by the media negative images is the main criteria infecting the young minds faster than bacteria” (“The Black Eyed Peas – Where Is The Love? (Official Music Video)”). In other words, the “untruths” are impactful due to their harms and damage being delivered at an early age when individuals can be changed to think, act, and operate in a certain manner. The artists demonstrate and address the fact that divisiveness and hate are already infesting the nation and doing so by making individuals and groups hateful and self-centered from the very beginning of one’s development.
Moreover, the song directly addresses the importance of civil engagement in order to bring cooperation and unity among different groups and societies. It states that “lack of understanding, leading us away from unity,” which is reflective of how the lack of civil engagement generates misunderstanding among groups, which, in turn, leads to divisiveness and hate (“The Black Eyed Peas – Where Is The Love? (Official Music Video)”). In regards to the imagery utilized in the video clip of the song, it periodically shows faces of different races, genders, and ethnicities, starting with children and progressing towards adults and older adults (“The Black Eyed Peas – Where Is The Love? (Official Music Video)”). The emphasis is made in order to show the diversity of the nation and society in order to help the audience to make some form of personal connection with all groups. Such an approach is highly effective in conjunction with the song’s lyrics since it communicates how vulnerable certain groups and communities are to the effects of hate. The video also shows how members of rogue groups are questioning the absence of love as a key substance for civil engagement, and the latter reciprocally enables unity and love.
In conclusion, The Black Eyed Peas’ “Where Is the Love?” song is an outstanding demonstration of Haidt’s main message in regards to the importance of civil engagement as a sole solution for hate and divisiveness. The lyrics of the song focus on how discrimination leads to hate and anger, which is unhealthy to both oppressor and victim. In addition, the imagery spreads the relevance and criticality of diversity and tolerance since the most misunderstood groups, such as minorities, are the most vulnerable ones. The active depiction of children being united is indicative of the fact that the “great untruths” are highly impactful when the youth is exposed to them without an alternative of civil engagement.
Work Cited
“The Black Eyed Peas – Where Is The Love? (Official Music Video).” YouTube, uploaded by Black Eyed Peas, 2009. Web.