eminem: musical genius or menace to society? - Page 4

[pie]

The only difference I see is that the KKK is an organized group of haters that have committed countless hateful acts. Marshall Mathers is a punk kid that is pushing his envelope. I can't rightly see comparing him with the KKK.

[tara]

Ok, take the KKK out of it - some racist writes stories about lynching POC... Now what?

[pie]

the unfortunate flip side of the first amendment.

I can't compare eminem with someone singing about lynching. Perhaps someone else can engage with you in that vein.

[Els' 3 Ones]

Actually there was a popular song written about lynching. Sung by the incomparable Billie Holiday................

STRANGE FRUIT

SOUTHERN TREES BEAR A STRANGE FRUIT
BLOOD ON THE LEAVES AND BLOOD AT THE ROOT
BLACK BODY SWINGING IN THE SOUTHERN BREEZE
STRANGE FRUIT HANGING FROM THE POPLAR TREES
PASTORAL SCENE OF THE GALLANT SOUTH
THE BULGING EYES AND THE TWISTED MOUTH
SCENT OF MAGNOLIA SWEET AND FRESH
AND THE SUDDEN SMELL OF BURNING FLESH!
HERE IS A FRUIT FOR THE CROWS TO PLUCK
FOR THE RAIN TO GATHER, FOR THE WIND TO SUCK
FOR THE SUN TO ROT, FOR A TREE TO DROP
HERE IS A STRANGE AND BITTER CROP.
--Music and lyrics by Lewis Allan, copyright 1940

The record label did not want this recorded............Billie insisted and it became the banner song for the anti-racism movement of that time (1940).

I find nothing wrong with putting our societal views to a beat............as with anything else, if I find it offensive, I SHUT IT OFF. This man's message is not going to CREATE a problem.........the problems are already there.

[tara]

That sounds like a very powerful song. But, it misses the point - I'm talking about someone who is racist glorifying lynching in writing (or song).

I believe in the 1st Amendment. I don't believe in censorship. I'm not at all certain that eminem's "music" creates problems by itself, though I think someone already f***ed up could find some fuel in his stuff. But, I prefer to look at it as a symptom or illustration of some of our social ills instead of giving him my support. If the problems are already there - and I think they are - he sure as heck isn't helping anything. Why aren't we doing something positive instead of backing this guy? Why are folks clamoring to support his music, which I think we can all agree has some horrible themes? I just don't get it.

And, I suppose real soon here we'll just have to agree to disagree

[tara]

Your post cracks me up a little, Yammer, because it looks like you're telling me to put you on my personal "avoid" list and consider you a "self-identified asshole", since I posted the racist writing scenario as a parallel to eminem's stuff...

Seriously, though, I'm tired of this debate and I'm bowing out. Mostly I've seen a lot of rationalization on the part of folks who like eminem's music but aren't willing to say, "Yes, I'm glorifying this kid who sings about horrible evil stuff that I can't really support, but I'd buy his CD." I say, "It's scary, why do we support it." and you say, "Because it's funny." Hard for me to continue a reasonable debate after that.

[youngnhappymamma]

This is really just about self-indulgence. You know that what he stands for in his music is bad and evil but you like it and find it ammusing so you choose to support and encourage him by buying/listening to his stuff. That's too bad. It's sort of like even though I know that Nestle is evil and promotes forumla in third world countries where babies die because their mommies think that they need to use formula instead of trusting their body's to nourish their children, but I really like their hot cocoa so I buy it anyway, thus supporting an evil company. Emenim may have a few catchy tunes that don't totally and utterly degrade women or some other people/person/group and is only slightly negative so you decide to buy it or only listen to those few songs on the cd and skip all the other ones talking about killing his wife and all that junk, but you are still suporting him and encouraging him to continue to act like a very spoiled, nasty, thoughtless 2 year old with an all too colorful vocabulary. And in essence telling him that what he is doing is good. I'm so sad you are choosing to do that. By buying one single you are defending/supporting all of his work.

And speaking of 2 year old behavior, Yammer, that was really immature of you to tell Tara she was losing. I think she makes a very good point, along the same lines as the point I am trying to make. If you don't want to accept what someone is trying to say fine, but you don't have to resort to insults. You sound just like one of those people who listen to that rapper Eminem.

[youngnhappymamma]

You know very well that I was not saying that you have to like her point, I was saying that just because you don't like her point you don't have to resort to put-downs (and now sarcasm). You know that. You are not dumb.

[Etoile]

Love Me Do does not stink!!!!

Just thought I'd break the tension...

[ladylee]

Nuh uh, Love me do doesn't either!

[Els' 3 Ones]

ild ild
This is yammer posting

[youngnhappymamma]

You do have a point, Yammer. Since Nestle chooses to do bad things with formula, I choose to boycott all of their products and maybe some of their subsidaries as well. However, I think it's a bit different with record companies, movie production companies, etc. If people don't buy albums/listen to one of the record companies artists, then they won't renew their contract, etc. So if more people bought more of the good music (sheryl crow, what have you) and less of the bad music (emenim, etc) then the record company would recieve a very distinct message and only keep those artists that made them money, etc. I'm sure there will always be a record company that supports such music as emenim's and I'm also sure that there will always be a market for such filth, but we can do our part to let the record company's know what we want and what we will support. And if for no other reason, don't buy his stuff/listen to it so that he doesn't make a dollar from you.

This is totally off topic, but Yammer where is Willow? I don't think I have seen her around since the old boards. She was really cool.

[youngnhappymamma]

Oh, that's too bad. Tell her she is missed.