"My task which I am trying to achieve is, by the power of the written word, to make you hear, to make you feel--it is, above all, to make you see." -- Joseph Conrad (1897)
Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of Eminem. His debut is the only time I have been ahead of the curve...I walked into a mall music store in early 1999 looking for his first album... and they didn't know who Eminem was! I don't listen to him much anymore, but his first record was pretty incredible at the time. Point is, are we now going to champion this guy- this guy's message- just because he put out an anti-bush song? Come on, his lyrics are misogynist, anti-gay, etc, etc. He claims of his lyrics that they're all just a good joke. Aren't we in the business of calling bullshit on that kind of cop out?--I don't go for the "shock America out of complacency" excuse. If yes, then shouldn't we pause and carefully consider our reception of this latest work? If no, all the liberated bullshit we spout is just that. If it's just good business, taking advantage of the moment to get rich... well, even W. could appreciate that. Finally, I don't necessarily regard your posting of these links as an endorsement. merely as an opportunity for others to respond.
I usually don't reply to anonymous comments b/c it is difficult to develop a dialogic sense of who is communicating (even pseudonyms provide a cohesive voice for responses) and how I should interpret the response (context of a message is important and they can be framed by tone/style of previous responses).
Just let me mention the Beastie Boys and their journey to activism/respectability. Remember they also sang misogynistic/homophobic messages, but as they developed/matured and met more progressive individuals, they became aware of their messages and cultivated a more sophisticated/concerned outlook toward life and their fans.
Now Eminem could be pursuing a cold, calculating pathe here... but on the other hand he could be meeting some people and learning new perspectives. I think it is telling that the video was produced by Guerrila News Network and gives an ideal of the crowd he may be influenced by... this is not a hollywood production.
One other thing, to be honest, when I was younger I also held racist, homophobic and misogynist views (especially through involvement in crime and gangs) and slowly I developed new perspectives through involvement with caring people that taught me to also care about others... I changed ... Beastie Boys changed... perhaps Marshall Mathers can change?
Lets see... whatever else, his message will reach legions of fans and the video is a powerful statement even if it is manufactured--you can be assured, even if, as you think Eminem is faking it, GNN's Ian Inaba is most definitely real and taking it to the enemy.
Fuck off Sarah... we are subverting the corporate music structure (including its new toys) and support independent music (both live playing and DIY/independent culture).
Thanks, I suspected as much, but I'm trying to resist ever removing a comment (even if it is machine-generated) instead preferring to address what I see as the problem and leaving it to visitors to the site to choose (or learn, as your comments help us)--thanks
Oso,
Back from the majestic Northwest--welcome... and thanks for the kudos... sorry haven't had time lately to post or visit other sites--did you post pictures of your trip?
4 comments:
Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of Eminem. His debut is the only time I have been ahead of the curve...I walked into a mall music store in early 1999 looking for his first album... and they didn't know who Eminem was! I don't listen to him much anymore, but his first record was pretty incredible at the time. Point is, are we now going to champion this guy- this guy's message- just because he put out an anti-bush song? Come on, his lyrics are misogynist, anti-gay, etc, etc. He claims of his lyrics that they're all just a good joke. Aren't we in the business of calling bullshit on that kind of cop out?--I don't go for the "shock America out of complacency" excuse. If yes, then shouldn't we pause and carefully consider our reception of this latest work? If no, all the liberated bullshit we spout is just that. If it's just good business, taking advantage of the moment to get rich... well, even W. could appreciate that. Finally, I don't necessarily regard your posting of these links as an endorsement. merely as an opportunity for others to respond.
I usually don't reply to anonymous comments b/c it is difficult to develop a dialogic sense of who is communicating (even pseudonyms provide a cohesive voice for responses) and how I should interpret the response (context of a message is important and they can be framed by tone/style of previous responses).
Just let me mention the Beastie Boys and their journey to activism/respectability. Remember they also sang misogynistic/homophobic messages, but as they developed/matured and met more progressive individuals, they became aware of their messages and cultivated a more sophisticated/concerned outlook toward life and their fans.
Now Eminem could be pursuing a cold, calculating pathe here... but on the other hand he could be meeting some people and learning new perspectives. I think it is telling that the video was produced by Guerrila News Network and gives an ideal of the crowd he may be influenced by... this is not a hollywood production.
One other thing, to be honest, when I was younger I also held racist, homophobic and misogynist views (especially through involvement in crime and gangs) and slowly I developed new perspectives through involvement with caring people that taught me to also care about others... I changed ... Beastie Boys changed... perhaps Marshall Mathers can change?
Lets see... whatever else, his message will reach legions of fans and the video is a powerful statement even if it is manufactured--you can be assured, even if, as you think Eminem is faking it, GNN's Ian Inaba is most definitely real and taking it to the enemy.
Fuck off Sarah... we are subverting the corporate music structure (including its new toys) and support independent music (both live playing and DIY/independent culture).
Harry,
Thanks, I suspected as much, but I'm trying to resist ever removing a comment (even if it is machine-generated) instead preferring to address what I see as the problem and leaving it to visitors to the site to choose (or learn, as your comments help us)--thanks
Oso,
Back from the majestic Northwest--welcome... and thanks for the kudos... sorry haven't had time lately to post or visit other sites--did you post pictures of your trip?
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