Credit: Marina ChavezFor their single "Nobody Praying for Me," Seether's created a five-part interactive video that deals with the subject of police brutality: each video shows a different side of the shooting death of a black teenager by a police officer. In an interview with Alternative Nation, Seether bassist Dale Stewart says that growing up in South Africa influenced the band's approach to the video.
"We grew up around this type of thing in South Africa in the apartheid era. It's close to our hearts and we are sensitive to it due to what was around us," Stewart says. "These are problems that stay present for years and years. They don't just wash away overnight. It takes time and it needs to be talked about."
"It's a subject that is a big part of the culture right now, and it's something that affects everyone," he adds. "The last couple years; I don't know if this type of thing is more prevalent or we just get to see it more with things like smartphones or body cameras, but something's wrong."
The "Nobody Praying for Me" video is filmed from both the teenager's and the police officer's point of view, and it also includes footage from a bystander. The other two parts are clips from fake news stations, one conservative and one liberal, covering the story.
"The news seems to be more entertainment than anything these days," Stewart says. "News agencies can pick which images they use for their segments. Depending upon their stance, they will use a photo of the victim frowning or looking tough and then others will use a high school graduation picture where the kid is smiling."
Stewart explains that Seether isn't trying to "demonize" anybody with "Nobody Praying for Me" -- their main purpose is education.
"Each case is unique, you really can't paint them all with one brush," Stewart says. "We are not taking anyone's side. We are just encouraging people that they don't have to believe just what one small piece of biased news."
He adds, "Educate yourself, learn the facts. There are always two sides to every story. Sometimes you can't hear just one side and properly make up your mind."
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