That was the epiphany I had a few days ago
Patiently read what I have to say and tell me if you agree.
This lock down has awoken so many sleeping chefs, gym-freaks, painters, writers and even rappers. These recessive traits were presumably sunken deep under layers of insecurities and obviously, life. But, oh, wait, that's just the bright side of it. Oi! Turn it down! Turn it down!! The brightness of this situation is burning my mind. It's not the beginning of time for God's sake!! Right. Much better. Now we're on the dark side. Here's the dark side of the lock down situation summed up in a single idiom:
An idle mind is a devil's workshop
One can get creative on the dark side too, as I was saying earlier. I found proof of this one day flashing on every next person's Instagram story like it was number one on the charts or something. It was a rap song written and sung by someone. Being a supporter of all those who tries a hand at new activities, I went on to hear the song.
Let's just say it was just another rap by just another teenager infatuated and wrongly influenced by the "Wild West".
What do rappers like Kanye or Eminem rap about? Women objectification (loads of it), violent sex that dumb teens fantacise about after watching porn, which is pure human trafficking, and let's not forget the grown up stuff: drugs. Oh, and a thick layer of misogyny poured on top of it all like tomato ketchup.
Ever wondered why? Why does a rap about useless stuff get so much attention, or "hype" as some would like to say? It is the new cool!
Honestly speaking, it's the flow that gets our ears pricked. It's definitely not the lyrics. There are raps that don't cuss and swear all along and still get the heat they deserve. The reason why bad raps have been normalized is that, that is all mainstream rappers think they have if they want to make it big in the rap industry. I have no clue on why pop culture thrives off the same lyrics about the female body over and over again. There is an entire page on "Misogyny in rap music" on Wikipedia and people couldn't care less.
About Eminem, that guy has had a rough childhood. And a rough teenage. Now he claims to have a split personality named "Slim Shady". How awesome is that now? He says that swearing brings out the authenticity and honesty of his story. Excuse me, mister, I BEG TO DIFFER! I speak honestly and people receive my message quite well and I don't put a swear word after every single word just because I'm afraid they won't believe me!
In fact, I'm so honest at times that people stop talking to me. That's how I know my message was delivered.
Now, people here have no idea what Eminem's been through, or any other artist has, as a matter of fact. They now think that this is how one expresses themselves. Swearing or not swearing is a choice. No one calls it wrong UNLESS it is done only to degrade a person or a gender or a community.
"Hey, my girlfriend just broke up with me because she wasn't really into me. You know the best way to get back at that bi***? Call her out in public through a rap that generalizes all girls who boldly leave a relationship if they want to - as shallow players!"
You couldn't come up with anything better, buddy?
Music artists that hit the big time usually rise from a a bed of thorns and their music becomes a way to throw out the toxic feelings that they were forced to hide. When their story is out in the world in the form of songs, they fly up to number one on the charts because people relate to them so much and are sympathetic or empathetic or inspired.
BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT IS THE GOLDEN PATH TO FAME
Music and other forms of art are indeed a way of expressing oneself as an individual. But there is no obligation that the expression should be about negative emotions only!
That was that. Now, the second thing that led me to my great realization: The Holy Comments Section
This was the point when mixed feelings kicked in. I don't think I have ever seen actual, real-life people speak so strongly and truly and spontaneously for anything before. Oh, but I didn't say they weren't jumping to conclusions and spitting unnecessary fire. That's a default. Every generation of teenagers, from the beginning of time, has not failed to break this monotonously annoying pattern. But, I can't help but admit that this is humanity and common sense at work here, accompanied with some irrationality.
Back when the horrendous incident of "bois locker room" took place, every girl on social media was left aghast. A dark cloud of anticipation hovers above them even now. "What if I'm next?" That was another dark incident that came to our knowledge in this lock down.
At that time, everyone actively posted and re-posted stories about how wrong and disgusting this was. After a week, the fire died. But this? This person hasn't really been informed, but one could get imprisoned for such an act. The way his friends and even others stood up to him and righteously declared how pathetic and lowly this was-- laudable but ruthless. Obviously, not ALL friends. Vultures never travel alone, do they, now?
After a couple of days, to my horror, all the comments criticizing him, telling him to correct his actions, had turned into hate comments. Now, people just go to the comment section, make a witty remark, look cool and leave. What they don't realize is that 500 comments was the limit. Everyone had made their point by then. But no one gave that person the time and space to process, what he was doing and what was really wrong with his words. Does no one realise that he might be hurting now?! He wrote a really bad rap and was punished quite well for it! Alright, people, THAT'S ENOUGH! That boy has been defamed and will not be forgiven for an extremely long time. I think your responsibility as a well-informed audience has been fulfilled.
My mistake and learning:
You know, I actually did what every normal teenager does--jump to conclusions. I began hitting my laptop keys the very next day I heard the rap. But after a few days, I realized that I was being rash too. When the rap first came out, there was a mix of critics and crazy fans, both cheering on the top of their virtual voices. I was indeed flabbergasted when I heard it. Of course, he would deeply regret his actions a few year from now. No matter how much he says right now in the comments section that he is completely unaffected by the hate comments, deep down, I know he cares. Everyone does.
Growing up, I changed 7 different schools in 5 cities. As one would expect, I can now easily adapt to and see through people. I know what kind of personalities walk this earth and I have come to terms with the fact that I don't have to please everybody.I don't shatter and fall to my knees like I did in 4th grade because someone told me that I'm not pretty enough to be part of their fashion show. My looks don't waver my self-confidence anymore. All I feel is a prick in my brain. But, that prick is still there, right? No one can really be immune to their social environment. It has shaped each one of us right from the start.
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