This music video speaks to the all-too-common matter of people dealing with rejection simply because they have decided to be true to themselves, to be authentic and be who they are. It is a project designed to bring hope, energy and resilience to those who are marginalized and minimized by others who choose to, nor cannot accept them or make any attempt to understand and love them. Our target audience it turns out to be the emerging generations
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Directed by Alex Chacon. Written & Performed by Sarah James
Review by Victoria Angelique:
If the song ‘TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT’ came on the radio, most people would like it and sing along, because it has nods to the traditional rock anthems of old. The question remains if people would listen to the message of the song when watching the music video, which really brings the lyrics to life about embracing people or walking away.
The message is simple, one that doesn’t demand force, but just a request that most people could agree to simply walk away if you don’t agree without hurting another person. The first example is with a nervous couple, a girl bringing her girlfriend home to meet the family for the first time. This video could have used stereotypes to show the type of people that would reject them, but twisted the idea on its head by simply showing the generational differences. The girl’s grandparents were the ones that were uncomfortable, but it was her Christian father that was accepting with a smile on his face. His opinion matters more to this particular girl, shown by the point-of-view shot that the camera slowly pivots to him as if his opinion was the one she was most nervous about, indicating she’s always been a major daddy’s girl. Walking away from the others wouldn’t have hurt as much as walking away from her father.
The song is an anthem about embracing people by looking past stereotypes, such as the Christian father, and preconceived notions to find the humanity underneath. The way this is depicted is by an individual with several face piercings, someone society typically keeps at a distance as this person sits alone. A simple gesture, a little girl giving this individual a flower, makes someone’s day and shows humanity. It brings light into the world of someone that appeared alone and showed that someone still cared.
The message of this music video and the song behind it is powerful, we’re all the same in the end and just trying to make it through life by wanting to be accepted.
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