“War on Drugs” Op-Ed

The “War on Drugs” op-ed visually stimulates the mind and gives you a deeper sense into how the War on Drugs effects a certain group of people. The use of artwork from Molly Crabapple throws you into the streets and shows you just how different the lives are for White vs Black/Latino’s in the US. Her grungy painting gives you the feeling of how grungy the politics, drugs, and racism actually is in the “War on Drugs”. The artwork provides the visual that people need to actually understand how big of an issue this may be.

The fact that she is a damn good artist, make this quite a visually appealing video. I’d watch this again just to see how she continues to portray things in a way that no one else has.

While listening to this piece, you are put into the streets of New York. The sounds of what goes on in, and around, the War on Drugs. From the beginning of the Op-Ed, the sounds help you find a deeper understanding of the transition of the streets before Drugs were big to when they became a staple. The sounds continue to transport you through various scenes throughout the video. Giving you a sense of the jail experience, the court room, and the difference between the lives of Whites and Black/Latinos.

You can forget the other major part of this piece, Jay Z talking right to us. Makes you feel kind of special… doesn’t it?

Overall, the fact that this message was portrayed through a time-lapse artwork video makes it more inviting to those who may not have thought about the “War on Drugs”. Also, include the fact the famous Jay Z is talking to us… It makes it more interesting, gives it depth. Although, why do serious topics need to be made more interesting for it to be listened to? That is just the way life is now. It order to maintain our attention, it needs to be captured by something that will spark the brain. Which, I believe, this does.