Michael Jackson Detroit And The Figural Economy Of American Deindustrialization

Michael Jackson's 1987 music video for "Bad" was filmed in Detroit, Michigan, a city that had been devastated by deindustrialization. The video's imagery of urban decay and poverty resonated with viewers around the world, and it helped to raise awareness of the plight of American cities. In this essay, I argue that the "Bad" video can be read as a figural economy of American deindustrialization. By this, I mean that the video's images and symbols can be seen as representing the broader economic and social forces that led to the decline of American manufacturing.

Unfinished Business: Michael Jackson, Detroit, and the Figural Economy of American Deindustrialization

by Shaun Cain

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5109 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	304 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Paperback	:	74 pages
Item Weight	:	8.8 ounces
Dimensions	:	8.5 x 0.18 x 11 inches

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The "Bad" video opens with a shot of a young black man walking through a desolate urban landscape. The buildings are crumbling, the streets are empty, and the air is thick with smog. The man's face is expressionless, and his eyes are vacant. He is a figure of despair and hopelessness, and he represents the millions of Americans who have been left behind by the decline of manufacturing.

The man walks past a series of abandoned factories and warehouses. These buildings are symbols of the once-thriving American manufacturing industry. But now they are empty and decaying, and they serve as a reminder of the jobs and opportunities that have been lost. The man's journey through the city is a metaphor for the decline of American manufacturing, and it is a powerful indictment of the economic policies that have led to this decline.

The "Bad" video also features a number of other images that can be read as symbols of American deindustrialization. These images include:

• A group of homeless people sleeping on the streets
• A young child begging for money
• A group of men fighting in the streets
• A woman crying over the loss of her job

These images are all indicative of the social and economic problems that have plagued American cities in the wake of deindustrialization. They are a reminder of the human cost of the decline of American manufacturing.

The "Bad" video is a powerful and moving indictment of the economic policies that have led to the decline of American manufacturing. The video's images and symbols resonate with viewers around the world, and they help to raise awareness of the plight of American cities. The "Bad" video is a reminder that we must not forget the millions of Americans who have been left behind by the decline of manufacturing.

In the years since the "Bad" video was released, the decline of American manufacturing has continued. The number of manufacturing jobs in the United States has fallen from over 19 million in 1979 to just over 12 million today. This decline has had a devastating impact on American cities, and it has contributed to the rise of poverty, crime, and social unrest. The "Bad" video is a reminder that we must not forget the millions of Americans who have been left behind by the decline of manufacturing.

The "Bad" video is also a reminder that we must not give up on American cities. We must continue to fight for policies that will create jobs and opportunities for all Americans. We must invest in education, infrastructure, and other programs that will help to revitalize our cities. And we must never forget the millions of Americans who have been left behind by the decline of manufacturing.

Unfinished Business: Michael Jackson, Detroit, and the Figural Economy of American Deindustrialization

by Shaun Cain

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5109 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	304 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Paperback	:	74 pages
Item Weight	:	8.8 ounces
Dimensions	:	8.5 x 0.18 x 11 inches

FREE