Blog Post 4

A languaging strategy can be described as communication with a specific goal. One languaging strategy I found particularly important is identification. Social movements use this concept to gain followers by finding a common view between people. When one agrees with a particular group, he or she would choose to identify with it. Without identification, a social movement would fail because of the lack of involvement. To establish this identification, a social movement leader may choose to use words such as “we” and “us” to provide the audience with a common purpose. Identification and persuasion go hand in hand.

A language tactic is more specific than a languaging strategy. It is used to help in the completion of a larger strategy. Songs, language tactics, are important rhetorical devices in social movements and have many advantages over texts. They allow protestors to exaggerate the topic and become active participants who have a voice. Because songs usually repeat verses, it reinforces the goals and themes of the song to explain how important they are. Although the words are usually powerful, the rhythm and beat can also be influential. Protest songs succeed in their goal because they energize their audience.

The song “Where is the Love” by the Black Eyed Peas is a symbolic song that uses the concept of identification. Many people can relate to the song because it is about what is wrong with the world. “Father, Father, Father help us, Send some guidance from above, 'Cause people got me, got me questionin', Where is the love” is a verse from the song that will identify specifically with those that believe in God and the bible. With the world progressing the way it is, with violence and war, the song brings people together with a common goal, to better and fix the world.