Florence + The Machine - No Light, No Light

The video for Florence And The Machine’s new single ‘No Light, No Light’ is at the centre of a race row after its makers were accused of espousing ‘white supremacist’ views.

A piece entitled ‘White Supremacy all dressed up in a pop video is still White Supremacy’, posted on Racialicious.com, has suggested that the video is packed full of “racist imagery”.

Directed by Icelandic duo Arni & Kinski, the video sees Florence Welch pursued by a man in black body paint, practising ‘voodoo’. Racialicious writes that the video is guilty of “glorifying the white female central character as representing goodness, all while vilifying the evil dark skinned heathen Other".

The piece goes on to say: “Discussions about whether or not Welch is personally responsible for this racist music video have cropped up. When you break it down and imagine the number of people who were behind the storyboarding, choreographing, casting and creative direction around this video, it is slightly astounding that not one person raised concerns about how problematic this video is.”

The video’s depiction of ‘voodoo’ is also highlighted by Jezebel.com, who question the video’s representation of “Vodoo as an evil, primitive version of witchcraft”, explaining that “it's a religion like any other, with a moral code, gods and goddesses. Many ceremonies deal with protection from evil spirits".

Florence’s fans however have rushed to her defence. “I don’t think Florence is racist. She is a woman who loves soul, respects black artists, regularly cites them amongst her hugest influences," writes Getaway Girl on Tumblr.

On the Popjustice.com message board, Rabbit Hearted Girl says: “I think the main flaw in the whole racism argument is that the 'evil black guy' is actually green.” Meanwhile Antonym on Jezebel.com writes: “It seems to be more like lazy music video imagery than a concerted effort to be racist."
(source: http://www.nme.com/news/florence-and-the-machine/60554)

I don't think that's a racist video. I think we should stop thinking that's there are always something bad in the inoffenssive things.... I pretty love this song, and the artistic direction is well done. I love the esotherical's spirits...