As a blogger I try very hard to stay clear of being too opinionated. Although I have written several posts about M.I.A. on my personal blog, I can honestly say this may be the first time that I find myself SPEECHLESS!
I applaud video director Romain Gavras for the cinematography of M.I.A.’s latest video “Born Free.” However, I must admit I am so taken back by the nudity and violence in the video that I think I have over-looked the message. I get M.I.A. and I understand her plight as the daughter of a Sri Lankan Tamil. I also try very hard to understand how important it is to her as a so-called “Freedom Fighter” to fuse her political views within her music. Unfortunately, I have to side with YouTube and agree they made the right decision in pulling her video. Don’t get me wrong I am all for freedom of speech, but I also think there is a social responsibility that should come along with it. After all, there are millions of “kids” on YouTube.
The video was banned from YouTube, but it is available via M.I.A.’s official website (best platform) and on the director’s Vimeo page. I encourage you to view the video for yourself. The military roundup and violent slaughter of redheaded citizens in the video serves a point, but I think the message is lost with the violent act that takes place at the 8:30 mark of the video. Read more about M.I.A.’s political charged life here.
