
Culture in many poor urban areas is infamous for its violence. This violence is associated with a certain upbringing in these areas. Many of the people living in these areas believe, whether it be true or not, that violence and crime is the only choice for their future. Seeing their brothers, sisters, parents, and grandparents, association with violence leads to their following of suit. More and more efforts are being made to create awareness for these issues and gradually to change the crime culture in many of these areas. Children look up to their family and close friends to make their important life decisions, and all it takes is one inspiration for the chain of violence to stop. In addition to the violence amongst just the people living in these bad areas, there is hatred and hostility with regards to the police officers trying to contain the violence. Rappers and song writers can play a role in and influence the people growing up in these areas, as often the rappers themselves came from the same place. Certain singers have made an effort to address this issue in their music videos and lyrics. In the music video One Man Can Change the World by Big Sean, a scene with a child biking through riot police supports the themes of breaking out of the shackles of gang violence as well as ending enmity with the police. The color scheme, as well as the placement of officers as well as the meaningful image of a child representing innocence create the scene and support the themes.

This scene is about a child who has been forced to turn the blind eye to the crime and violence surrounding him in an impoverished area. This contributes to the theme by showing that while many people in the child’s area took part in violence and crime, it doesn’t have to go on. The police stepping to the side to open up a gap for the child supports the idea that if one does not want to continue the chain of violence and support the crime culture one truly can get out. The inspiration that is the child’s grandmother is the light that guides him to goodness and paves his road to leave the poor urban area. Prior to riding through the police on his bike, the child is seen collecting several weapons in an ice cream stand, followed by the child filling it up with the cement and riding off with his bicycle. The idea that as little as one good person in a neighborhood full of gang members can affect a child who is learning their way is represented here. The whole video works towards the maturing of a child to eventually make his own decisions. The influence on a child is much greater at young ages while they may still be learning their way. The visual of the child biking through the police line can be similarly compared to the common scientific knowledge of a caterpillar cocooning and morphing in a butterfly. Once children become old enough find their way and lose their innocence they may tend to go down the path that they have learned. The theme that one person can make a huge difference in the culture of these bad areas is shown by proving that one person can completely change the life of an aging child surrounded by crime and violence. The other young adults in the video are shown with weapons, also contributing to the idea that even though many or most of the people in such areas are supporting and joining the violence, one person can break the chain and set an example for the next child. In this instance the police represent a border to breaking the trend, as they are standing in a line on the outsides of the area. As the child finally makes way through the open barrier, the idea that one can leave the chain of violence in a bad area is accomplished as he ventures off. 

In this frame, while there is clearly the perspective of escaping gang violence in the poor urban areas, there is the police hostility and violence issue. The police are decked out in riot gear with shields and masks. When the police are shown letting through the child, the idea that there is some ongoing vendetta that the police have with the people in violent areas is contradicted. The visual text shows and represents that the police have an issue with violence, and not with people. The location of the police also supports the argument of the video, that the police are there to their job, not to be racist or violent. Their positioning on the outside of the city shows their job is to contain the violence. As the child is passing the police are fully covered and their faces are not seen. The absence of the color of their skin further supports the idea that the police are there to perform their duties, and that racism shouldn’t play a role in law enforcement. The police officers are what is allowing the child to escape the shackles of violence. The police are representing the barrier to safety and freedom of gang violence, supporting the theme that there is a way to get out of a cycle of crime. 

The scene of the video supports the theme and purpose of the entire video as it shows that the violent culture can be changed with an inspiration and influence, as well as the idea that police are and should be doing their jobs to help and enforce the law without bigotry or racism involved. With the help of setting and object placement, the music video, and the scene itself, aim to progress and change the ongoing cycle of violence. 