F*CK GROUPTHINK!!!

As a fan of Erykah Badu, I was uber excited to hear that she was releasing a new album. It was to be a part two of "the new amerykah" album she released in 2008. Most people describe her, as well as her music, as being eclectic. Often the word eclectic is used by people who want to define what they conceive as weird or out of the norm. This word is often given to me because of choices in the music I listen to. Being from Brownsville, Brooklyn, it's hard for some to understand that I could really love indie music, so that makes me "eclectic".

Last Saturday morning, Ms. Badu released a video for her single "window seat" (a song in which I absolutely love). The song is about basically just wanting to get away from it all. In the video, which was shot Guerrilla-style and in one take, she walks along Dealey Plaza, located in downtown Dallas, and sheds her clothes until she is completely nude with the words "evolving" written on her back. (I Know!) At the end of the video, a gun shot is heard and she falls near the place where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. This is an assimilation of her individuality being assassinated. But before the video is over there is a narrated statement about “Groupthink”. What in the hell is "groupthink"?

For the past week on twitter, Ms. Badu has been asking her followers to sum up "groupthink" in one word. Words like fear, coward, clone and hypnosis were given as definitions. None of those words are incorrect interpretations of "groupthink", but what is it really? "Groupthink" is defined as "a type of thought exhibited by group members who try to minimize conflict and reach consensus without critically testing, analyzing, and evaluating ideas".

In basic terms, "groupthink" is when a group of people become "yes men" just to avoid being the one to oppose and cause disruption. It's when people are scared to be individuals because they are concerned about what the "group" will think. Individuality is lost and consensus thinking is praised. But before you start thinking to yourself, "that isn't me", it's better to be real and acknowledge that at some point you have been guilty of "groupthink" (if you aren't guilty of it now). Everyone has been. There is always a time when it may be easier to avoid being seen as foolish or easier to not anger those close to you by simply agreeing.

I love artist like Erykah Badu because they challenge those ideals. The "window seat" video is a clear opposition of "groupthink". Not because of the public nudity, as most of her "groupthinking" critics believe. She kind of makes you think beyond that.

It is the groups job to conform the individual. But it is the individual's job to hold tight to their truths and beliefs. Stand for something or fall for anything. Are you defined by "groupthink"?

The video can be seen here:
Window Seat by Erykah Badu


btw: pick up Erykah Badu's "New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh"!!!!