Is it my age? Am I totally out of step with my own American culture? Has our spoken language finally crossed into foreign territory? Here's what I am talking about: What exactly is it that makes a song that opens with lyrics that shout "Boy, boy can you get it up?" so popular?
When Rihanna's "Rude Boy" comes on the radio, and she belts out those words, I have to say I get the creeps. Not only do I hate that my seven year old son has to deal with that particular question every morning on "pop" stations, but what first comes to mind is "Didn't this girl get beaten up brutally by her boyfriend?" " I'mma let you be a rider…" "I'mma let you do your thing??" This, from the victim of abuse? Please tell me when being a cock tease became acceptable behavior.
When rappers introduced 'hos as girls, that naturally made some people angry. Now even that seems tame and mainstream.
The "N" word. In my vernacular, that was-- and remains -- a No-No, used by ignorant slobs who didn't know better or freely wanted to promote hatred. But, some use it even as an endearing term for mate, buddy, pal. OK.
Gangster into Gangsta. Timbaland's "…gettin b-tches tipsy…" Waka Waka says "One shot man down, his brains go ka-pow…"
Bitch, ho, shit, pow…when did killing, maiming, verbal denigration, and abuse become so commonplace? For the early rappers, these lyrics and styles were -- dare I say -- poetic, political, true expressions of telling the world what was going on in their neighborhoods, communities, families. It was a reflection of their very existence and a mirror on society.
I don't feel the same way now about what's become so easily "pop" culture and I don't understand it. It seems to me we've crossed some line where ethics no longer exist. Right and wrong have no definition.
I respectfully suggest that Ethics become a subject we re-introduce into our educational system. Maybe teaching Ethics as a foreign language would now be appropriate. Because I'mma gonna tell ya that this 'hos outta touch.
Karen - You are right on. Something has happened that has removed civility, manners and respect from "some" people. I sat in a library yesterday where 2 people had a loud 30 minute conversation about their daughter's education. A library used to be a quiet place. I still refer to my elders with the respect they are due by addressing them as Mr. or Mrs. I still say please and thank you regardless of the class or position of the recipient. I still yield to others on the interstate. I still believe that women are the gentler sex and I open doors and pull out chairs. I still believe that English is a beautiful language that should be used properly. I will continue to believe in the hope that change can and will occur and that someday we will find a happy median between Ozzie and Harriet and Ozzy Osbourne. Michael
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