Representation of Illegal Drugs - Case Study Example

REPRESENTATION OF ILLEGAL DRUGS (Students Name) (Course No) (Lecturer) (University) (Date) Illegal drug use, consumption, addiction, and trafficking continue to dominate the theme of many contemporary music genres in the world. The illegalization of certain types of drugs which have adverse health effect promoted the representation of such drugs in films, music, and movies. Presently, the society remains under the constant representation of cultural diversity, perception and the definition of illegal drugs and drug use in the music and films. Several contemporary music genres, as well as movies, represent the addiction, use and trafficking of illegal drugs in relatively diverse patterns. The cultural beliefs further define the manner of drug representation in such artistic works. This paper seeks to analyze the case study represented by Fraser and Moore in the study of Jade Boyd reasoning of Pleasure and Pain. The analysis intends to build on the focus of the representation of addiction, consumption and trafficking of illegal drugs as displayed in the music, videos, and contemporary films. Also, this paper aims at underscoring the relevance of such drug representation in shaping the modern cultures and believes in the modern society. The specific roles of the moral beliefs, legal framework, and social constructs come into shape in the analysis intended in this paper. The case study under review and analysis in this paper concerns the representation of illegal drugs’ consumption, trafficking, and addiction in music and movies. The genesis of such representations traces back to the criminalization of the use of drugs, especially in the Western cultures. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, several nations moved with speed to criminalize the use of drugs due to their adverse health effects. Several legislations found their way into the land which declared some drugs illegal. Therefore, the use, consumption and addiction to such drugs remained as a criminal offense in the sight of such laws (Boyd, 2011). One of the artistic means through which the information and messages of such drugs found their way into the society relates to the use of music, films and videos. One outstanding feature regarding the use of these artistic features relates to the fact that some conveyed supportive while others antagonistic messages relating to the consumption of illegal drugs. Various movies and music, therefore, carried varied messages relating to the use of illegal drugs to the immediate society. Consequently, many people remain dissuaded against the consumption of illegal drugs while others suffer from allurements due to the messages within songs and films. Some of the commonly known drugs in the 1920s and 1930s include the marijuana, opium, cocaine, and opiates. The addiction to such drugs brings a close congruence to social criminal activities as well as degradation of sound health standards. Scholars argue that the western culture remains under the dominance of stereotypes regarding the use of illegal drugs which further find their way into the music and the movies produced (Boyd, 2011). The approach taken by the contemporary filmmakers and the musicians promote a binary approach in the representation of drug consumption. Some of them promote the avoidance and recovery from drug addiction and use while others make the society more plunged into the use of drugs. The following categories depict the different genres of music as well as movies and their relevance in the society. The early music under this category produced in the 1960s and 70s depicted an outright advocacy and normalization of the use of illegal drugs. Their approach promoted the consumption and use of the illegal drugs. Some of the common films associated with such advocacy concerns include Chappaqua, Easy Rider, Alice’s Restaurant, Performance and Pure Shit (Philippe Bourgois 1995). Such films and songs represented the use and ‘benefits’ of sharing the illegal drugs such as marijuana and the pleasure from using the drugs. Presently, Rock ‘n’ roll music remains as one of the conduits through which messages of drugs and addictions find their way into the society. Studies reveal that several rock musicians associate the genre with illegal drugs which end up to poison the otherwise loved and cool genre of music. Also, several rock ‘n’ roll music followers attribute their pattern and way of music to drugs and other substance abuse. The modern society remains cumbered with the messages within the films and movies related to the rock artists and lovers. On the other hand, some of the modern rock music and movies convey acceptable abstinence messages teaching people against the use and addiction to illegal drugs. Therefore, the binary architect taken within this genre remains a puzzle that the society contends with on a daily basis (W.M. & N.E 1977). The civil rights movement in the United States contributed significantly to the rise and adoption of blues as well as soul music. The genre provided an avenue through which the activists conveyed their messages and advocacy to the political administration regarding their sufferings and poor living conditions. Therefore, blues occupied a central point in achieving freedom and rights deliberation in the United States. Besides the role of advocacy, this genre of music advocated for drug abstinence in the initial stages. Studies reveal that the messages focused on educated the youth on the dangers of using and getting addicted to illegal drugs and the need to abstain from such drugs. However, these messages took a twist especially in the 1970s when the artists and the filmmakers began adopting and normalizing the consumption of illegal drugs (Philippe Bourgois 1995). Hip Hop, as well as pop, remain as some of the old genres of music associated with the adoption of gangster culture. In the 1970s, hip-hop became renowned especially on the aspects of the use of drugs. History reveals that several hip-hoppers communicated and even displayed the abuse of alcohol, cocaine (crack), opium among others on their films. Some of the early hip hop artists such as Queen Latifah, Ice-T, and Eminem exemplified the rise of a society which believed and practiced on the legalization of drug use. For example, Queen Latifah believed on the concept of money and drugs. In addition, Eminem publicly confesses his struggle with the use and consumption of illegal drugs which later compelled him to abstinence and reformation. The theme adopted in hip hop music of the 90s revolved around street life characterized by crime and drug use. In fact, the rate of use and consumption of illegal drugs rose significantly in the US and other European nations as a result of the adoption of hip hop by many youths. The society remains as the central focus in relation to articulation on issues of use and trafficking of illegal drugs. This case study focused on music, films and movies in the relation of promotion of use and trafficking of such drugs. The central focus of the case study, therefore, remains to be the society which stands on the receiving end of every attempt and activity of its members. The advent of several contemporary music and videos which publicly represent the use of illegal drugs stand as one of the social effects on the society. This concept argues that the society remains under the role and responsibility of determining the kind of information and messages to adopt (Marshall et al. 2001). Social construct provides a framework within which the members of a particular society dictate and determine the nature of information proliferating to its members. For example, the legal structures stand as one of the means through which the society regulates the activities and the messages available to the members. Therefore, laxity within the precincts and domain of such legislative and regulative bodies open up the community to any message, not regarding the implications of such information. Every society remains under the guidance and directions of the dictates of cultural beliefs and norms. The set of agreed beliefs further determines what the society deem prudent, acceptable or otherwise. One fundamental aspect of the cultural concept revolves around the fact that the society forms its individual dictates. Social, economic and political beliefs stem from the agreed norms and cultural beliefs prevailing within the society. Culture grows over time and therefore symbolizes the actual beliefs of any social set up (Boyd 2011). One of the aspects dictated by the culture regards the nature and type of music loved by the members of the society. For example, reggae music remains as a preserve of many Jamaicans just as Hip Hop music identifies its rhythms with the western nations. The messages regarding the use and trafficking of illegal drugs sound like a normal news to the reggae lovers. Therefore, the cultural context within such societies humanizes the users and traffickers of illegal drugs. On the other hand, some cultures detest the use and addiction to such drugs. The concept of culture, therefore, plays a practical role in determining the extent of drug use and the level of acceptance of illegal drugs within the society (Philip Robson 1999). References Boyd, S. 2011. ‘Chapter 3: Pleasure and pain: Representations of illegal drug consumption, addiction and trafficking in music, film and video’ in Fraser and Moore (eds), 2011.  The Drug Effect: Health, Crime and Society.  Melbourne: Cambridge U Press. Marshall, M, Ames, G M, and Bennett, L. A (2001) ‘Anthropological perspectives on alcohol and drugs at the turn of the new millenium’. Social Science Medicine 53(2):153-64 Philip Robson, 1999.   “The consequences of drug use,” Chapter 2 in Forbidden Drugs, second edition.  Oxford University Press, pp.19-32 Philippe Bourgois (1995). In Search of Respect: Selling Crack in El Barrio W.M. Harding & N.E. Zinberg (1977) ‘The effectiveness of the sub-culture in developing rituals and social sanctions for controlled drug use’ in Du Toit ed. op. cit. pp. 111-133. Read More