Concrete Angel

"Concrete Angel" by Martina McBride is more than just another sad country song: It speaks out for those who hide their "pain behind a mask" and their bruises "with linen and lace". Child abuse, while not often openly talked about, is a huge problem in the United States. According to the Child Help National Child Abuse Foundation around five children a day die from child abuse, and this number is only increasing. While the signs of child abuse can sometimes be easily detected, many people want to tend to only their business and don't pay attention to the bruises or strange behavior of the children around them. This is why five innocent souls lose their lives every day. Not because they did something wrong, but because someone didn't reach out to help them.

Martina McBride's "Concrete Angel" can easily serve as a reminder of this invisible issue. The music video puts an innocent face to the lyrics that Martina McBride sings: A seven year old girl named Angela, walking to school with the lunch she packed, in the same dress she wore the day before. She keeps to herself and does not complain about the hell she endures at home. Instead she just covers up her bruises, and lives her life "bearing the burden of a silent storm". As she walks by, Angela's teacher obviously notices the bruises on her arm, but just keeps walking. Similarly, on the night that Angela dies, her neighbors hear her screams as her mother abuses her. They could have helped: phoned the police or just knocked on the door. If they had that night may have not been Angela's last. But instead, they just turn out the light.

The very graphic and deep nature of this music video really makes you think about situations in your life that you may have just turned out the light. It made me think back to elementary school to the little boy in class that used to come everyday in dirty clothes, talked back to the teacher, and just came off as mean. Naturally, you think he's a bad person and don't want to associate yourself with him. But what if he was using his aggression to hide his pain he endured at home. In analyzing the context of this music video, Martina McBride used her song and her fame to help bring this silent issue to the minds of Americans. She wanted for others to see this invisible abuse and help put a stop to it. Authority to speak, in this case Martina McBride's fame, helped with this because it spoke out to a large group of people who looked up to her in a musical aspect. She chose to use the audience's emotional side to help bring them knowledge on what might be happening just next door to them. The topic, obviously an important one, is one that can really touch the hearts of many. While some people do not listen to country, and may not see this video, she still affected a good group of people that can pass on the message for children like Angela.

Music videos can serve as more than just entertainment and act as an undercover public service announcement. They can touch the hearts of thousands and help put a stop to horrible issues like child abuse.