Media That Matters

By: Gigi 

September 30 saw the release of Solange’s long awaited fourth album after four years. The album titled a Seat at the Table was the first time I got to interact with any of Solanges music and before I listen to the album I tried to not read any reviews (trying to not be biased).

As I turned on the first song, Don’t Touch My Hair, I listened attentively and I started crying. This response was new for me as I usually start critiquing more than experiencing any form of media I consume. The song starts with “Don’t touch my hair, when it’s the feelings I wear.” This line characterizes the existence of majority of black women in America who are commonly asked by people, is that your real hair, or can I touch your hair. The line was a foreshadowing of Solange telling her story about her struggle to form identity and to existent in white spaces. Katherine St. Asaph stated for Spin “The wealth of talent on A Seat at the Table is well-showcased—it’s among the most exquisite productions of the year, each track silken-smooth and replete with quietly virtuosic instrumental flourishes—and in service of a story of pain and healing.” Here she captures the albums essence as it explores anger, hurt and most importantly self-acceptance and love for her blackness.

Picture Credit: Carlota Guerro

Solanges album reminded me of the importance of making media that matters. It reminded me of the reason I fell in love with TV, and that was because it has the ability to speak to millions of people. Media can speak to a 20-year-old black girl confused by the world she finds herself having to exist in. A girl feeling alone and as if no one understands her. She can consume a message of strength, that reminds her it is okay to hurt, be angry and that her race is not a fault but what makes her beautiful. That’s the strength of making media that matters and speaks to people. It is the reason movies, music, photography should serve a purpose and not just be for the entertainment and aesthetics.

Listen to Solange's A Seat at the table album below via Apple Music here.

Work Cited:

Katherine St. Asaph// October 6, 2016, and Katherine St. Asaph. "Solange’s Exquisite A Seat At The Table Is A Portrait Of Black Pain And Healing | SPIN." Spin. Spin, 06 Oct. 2016. Web. 17 Oct. 2016.