Bill Gold

"Madonna has referenced or been inspired by include the drama Mississippi Burning (1988), an investigation of black lynchings by the Ku Klux Klan in the 1960s. Madonna’s video for Like A Prayer is an exploration of the taboo of interracial sex and racial prejudice still in existence in eighties America, also utilising the iconic burning crosses from the film."

There's nothing new nor innovative nor boundary-pushing in this video like her fans claim. Religious motives and scandals were already done by others( Ken Russell, Mylene Farmer, Prince to name a few). And burning crosses at night turn out to be nothing but a rip off from Bill Gold's movie.

http://phdavies.co.uk/2011/07/21/madonna-culture-vulture-film-influences/