Even today, Native American culture is not understood by the general population and the people themselves remain tucked away in the isolation of reservations, where pain, suffering and sorrow continue to this day.
Edgar Allan Poets Debut Provocative New Video “Watch”
Edgar Allan Poets have boldly taken a stand to bring awareness to the plight of the indigenous tribes of America in their aptly titled new single and video, “Watch”. In this video, vocalist Chris Is portrays a cowboy, presumably descended from original colonists, who forcibly invaded the land that would someday become the United States of America. Throughout this invasion, the homeland, culture, dignity and identity of the native peoples were painfully stripped. Instead of working alongside these people peacefully, respecting their traditions of unity with nature and other human beings, these settlers gave native peoples a choice—either assimilate or face the unthinkable.
Even today, Native American culture is misunderstood by the general population and the people themselves remain tucked away in the isolation of reservations, where pain, suffering and sorrow continue to this day. These people face the challenges of living between two worlds, struggling to preserve their heritage with pride while also adapting to and living with modern American culture as many of us perceive it. If more people took the time to empathize with this divide between the “modern” and the indigenous, feelings of shame and sorrow would bring forth the need to ask for genuine forgiveness.
This emotion is the inspiration behind “Watch” (directed by Chris Is, assisted by Kevin Michael and featuring aerial photography by Bill Jackson). The plot opens with a guilt-ridden cowboy (Chris Is), struggling with the need to offer an apology and seek forgiveness from Native Americans on behalf of those who have wronged them. In his search for peace of mind, he approaches members of the Paiute Shoshone tribe, who initially express fear by his presence. The unique aspect of this video is that the actors (Ray Rivera, Edward Gallegos and John Velasauez) are in fact Native American, cast with the help of Melissa Carmichael and Saginaw Grant. Grant is a respected and influential Native American motivational speaker, dancer and actor, who appeared in the film The Lone Ranger (2013) as Chief Big Bear.
While the cowboy roams in his grief, he approaches the three men who are performing a ceremonial dance inspired by the Ghost Dance, calling on their ancestors to protect them from the stranger in their midst. Fear and uncertainty on both sides lead to a touching moment, symbolizing a gesture of extended apology and returned forgiveness with hope for the future.
When there is true love and forgiveness, we can “watch” for signs of change for future generations.
Discover the world of Edgar Allan Poets “The Noir Rock Band”. The Band Inspired by “Edgar Allan Poe” and “Alfred Hitchcock” for their dark and intense sound. Critics and fans do agree that if you enjoy Hitchcock movies and Edgar Allan Poe, the music of the Edgar Allen Poets and the world they want to share is more than worth a listen. It might even be worth two, and forever more.
Watch
Hey look at me
My delirium
My all-powerful dream
This could seem to you
What a life
What a lie
Day, after day
I kneel down myself
In a puddle of gold
And I soil my soul
With these lies
With this life
Watch…
Stray, in the way
I find myself
In a chemical tragedy
Look at me
of course I’m beautiful
Take a look inside
Hey follow me
I’m a symbol
For this unwell society
Look at me
For this joy I got spoilt
A neurotic snake
Is creeping in my veins
A sharp dust in the air
Is wearing out my fame
Watch…
Now that you know how I’m leading
My hysterical time
Can you still believe
In this joy
In these lies
Hey pretty face
Look at me
While I’m talking to you
You’re a stereotype
Only a mirror…a mirror