Post-colonialism is an important factor that can affect how we see things within the media, one theorist that can be linked to this is J McDougall. J McDougall is a theorist that we can apply to Letter to the Free. He wrote a book called “Fake News vs New Media”, and wrote “There are always points historically where populations have been discontented or economic hardships have been exacerbated”. This quote from McDougall’s book suggests how Letter to the Free is a song about the history of black lives and discrimination. Therefore, Letter to the Free can be seen as radical because it is challenging the historic events that black people have previously faced and the music video is demanding equal rights for black people and to end segregation and discrimination.

Ghost Town by The Specials and Letter to the Free by Common represent society in very contrasting ways. This is shown mainly through the narratives of the music videos because Letter to the Free is about ending slavery and give more freedom and creating equal rights for everyone. However, Ghost Town is about the economic depression and the employment rates going up in London which has gone out of control. Also, the music videos themselves have different genres, as Letter to the Free is a rap style song and Ghost Town includes two very different music genres; ska and reggae. What is similar about both of these videos is that they are radical and are drawing attention to events (that at the time of writing were currently happening) around the world, and for Letter to the Free, are still happening in the modern world today because of the 13th Amendment. Both of these music videos are also seen as quite radical. Being about the economic depression within the Uk and unemployment rates rising up and eventually running out of control and Letter to the Free is a plea from Common for equality for black people, which could be an event that had encouraged the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020.

It is very significant that both Letter to the Free and Ghost Town explore the concepts of post-colonialism. Two theorists who have came up with theories based around post-colonialism are Paul Gilroy and W.E.B Du Bois, who have both came up with theories based around post-colonialism. Gilroy wrote a book called “No Black in the Union Jack”, which can be seen as controversial because it challenges the ideas and messages that are brought across in Letter to the Free. Another concept that Gilroy explores originated from the ideas of W.E.B Du Bois and that is the idea that we as an audience has double consciousness. This idea of double consciousness links to both the music videos Letter to the Free and Ghost Town because double consciousness is the internal conflict which is experienced by subordinated or colonialist groups within an oppressive society. This links to both the music videos because the setting in Ghost Town is in the UK during the economical crisis, which left people out of work and refusing to leave the house. Similarly, Letter to the Free is set in an oppressive society in America because black people are experiencing discrimination and are getting a lack of rights compared to white people just because they are black and through historical events, it is evident that white people saw black people as Slaves and different to the white culture.

It can also be suggested that through the use of post-colonialism, we are able to understand the concept of “the other”. a theorist who can support this idea is Jacques Lacan and Edward Said. Jacques Lacan came up with a theory he called the “mirror theory”, where he explored when an infant first sees their reflection in the mirror. Lecan believes that it is the first time that the infant would recognise themselves. However, some infants might not recognise themselves in the mirror and instead see something else. This theory links with both Letter to the Free and Ghost Town as from watching the music video and listening to the lyrics, it is clear that people will create different interpretations of the message of the song. Another theorist who links to this concept is Edward Said. Said came up with the theory of Orientalism. Orientalist is the link between culture, imperial power and colonialism and links closely to the two music videos because by using the theory of “the other”, it is easier to learn more about ourselves.

Furthermore, it is significant that music videos can change cultures and show the struggles they are facing. A theorist who supports this idea is Althusser. Althusser came up with the theory of ideological state apparatus’, which are used to describe how the structures of a civic society can serve to structure the ideological perspectives of society, which eventually will turn to form our own individual subject identity. Similarly, another theorist who ties into this is Gramsci. Gramsci came up with the theory of hegemony. Hegemony can illustrate how certain culture forms predominate over others, meaning that certain ideas can become more influential than others. Therefore, hegemony is not a total domination, but instead is a continual exchange of power through the use of ideas. It is evident that post colonialism suggests a desire to reclaim, re-write and re-establish cultural identity and therefore maintain power. The theories by Gramsci and Althusser also link to Letter to the Free and Ghost Town because hegemony is a struggle which emerges from negotiation and consent, linking to Letter to the Free because there is a lack of negotiation and equality given for black people compared to white people. In Ghost Town it is similar because there is a lack of negotiation of people fighting and cursing violence within the inner cities.

In conclusion, it is apparent that the idea of post-colonialism can be applied to both Letter to the Free and Ghost Town and that music videos can be powerfully influenced by the dominant cultural and social attitudes of elements such as race, class and gender. This is shown in Letter to the Free as the lyrics are heavily influenced by the mistreatment and discrimination of black people, which therefore makes Letter to the Free a plea to all for equality for black people and to end discrimination to the wider population of people. Music videos can change cultures and show the struggles they are facing, such as how Letter to the Free is a plea for equality and how Ghost Town serves a purpose to bring awareness to the economic crisis and employment rates, as well as trying to bring awareness to the violence that was occurring in cities across the UK. Post-colonialism also helps us understand the other, meaning we can learn about different cultures as well as learning more about ourselves. However, using the mirror theory from Lacan, it is evident that we may percieve the music videos’ messages differently compared to other people, because when a baby sees themselves in the mirror for the first time , they may understand it is them, or they may see themselves as another person, therefore, identifying that people may interpret both Letter to the Free and Ghost Town differently, depending on factors such as ethnicity, occupation and so on, which is why it is important for music videos to grasp a clear narrative structure and follow the tripartite narrative structure which therefore creates a clear beginning, middle and end.