I'm still kind of stunned.
Once in a while you hear a voice of reason that you just can not ignore. You hear the message and your agree whole heartedly. You hear certain words and are filled with the zeal of the converted. I agree! I agree! But would I have ever thought I'd agree with AL SHARPTON???? Um... no, I didn't think so...
Until today....
Rev. Al came up with an idea this past April. He decided to stand up to the foul language and degrading words in music. Rev. Al stood up and took the unpopular view. "Freedom of Speech!" is the argument he heard back. This is not a matter of our nation's sacred freedom of speech. This is about values. This is about who we are as a society. This is about being able to take my kids on a bike ride in the park and without hearing the F-bomb blaring from someone else's loud speakers.
I don't care if you swear. I do too (in the car mostly, when the kids are no where near me). I can cuss like a sailor. That doesn't mean I should. It doesn't mean that I should write songs that can't be put on a kid's i-pod or get played on the radio.Don't tell me the clean cut versions (where the words are bleeped or blurred) are good enough. It isn't good enough. My 10 and 11 year old's know what you are saying, PINK and Avril. How dare you market to them and not write songs that I can feel good about letting them listen to -- without my explanations and alternative lyric choices? Wonder Boy listens to your lyrics ladies, you should be ashamed.
I'm all for freedom of expression, but I still love Wil Smith's take on this issue many years ago. He said his grandmother told him he was too intelligent to communicate with curses. I'm never proud of myself when I curse. I enjoy it at the time, but it wouldn't make me proud to see myself on TV or in front of my kids that way. I wish musicians would flex their intellectual muscles vs. their freedom of speech. There are so many amazing songs out there... musicians should stop taking the easy way out. They are talented.
As for the general rap thing and the degradation, explicit language/content, and such.... all I can say is.... Do you kiss your mother with that mouth? Those people who blast your music so loud that it can't be escaped by an innocent family trying to enjoy a bike ride... do those blasters make you proud? If I wanted my kids to listen to that, I'd buy it for them. Have a touch of courtesy Mr. Mega Bass at the intersection!!
When I was a rebellious teen listening to the Violent Femmes singing "Add it Up," I had the decency to keep it at a level that was below the radar of my parents and the general public. Is this too much to ask in 2007? Could you have some sensitivity out there already?
Off my soap box. I'm not a prude, I just wish people would listen to my new friend Rev. Al Sharpton. Al, you have a new fan here. I appreciate you taking on this topic and will put my faith in you that you can bring the issue to light. Go Al! You are the best! Thank you for leading the nationwide Day of Outrage.
For what it's worth Al, I'm with you on this one!!Say what you want about Al, I support his decency initiative!
Other Updates in our Grim :-) Reality:
- The kids have a new project and are a little less stir crazy -- yippee!
- The hubby is exploring options for employment and education -- pray for him!
- The mother inlaw is home from the hospital and recuperating.... she is more feisty all the time. This is a good sign.
- The father inlaw is trying to rope Hubby back into the family business -- he is resisting, pray please -- must resist this financial drain!
- The trifecta of new nieces are all doing well -- thanks for the prayers!
- My brother has a new love. He wasn't looking for love after the heartbreak... pray for him if you think of it! He has adapted well to the life without a motor vehicle.
- 3 weeks until student teaching starts!
- How the heck did I end up agreeing with Al Sharpton?
9 comments:
I heard that today, too.
I was pleasantly shocked.
I agree so much! I actually switched my radio dial over to the classical station because I'm tired of the nasty lyrics (even on mainstream pop songs), and don't need my boys listening to it!
Good lord, now I gotta agree with Sharpton too? What is this world coming to? *rolls eyes*
Totally feel you on this post. And incidently, the '80's music implied stuff and was way better than this rap crap/dirty bubblegum music they serve now.
Found you through "the queen" - and the first time I read your blog I am forced to acknowledge that I actually agree with Al Sharpton on something...this alone may force me to never check your blog again (ha).
I actually posted a rant on this very topic recently. With you 100% on this subject.
i agree -- i hate hearing foul language coming from other's stereos.
Amen! I get so tired of the rotten language. Do people really think they sound intelligent when they are turning the air blue?
Yup. I agree, too. I hesitate to even put it in writing, but I'll say it.....I CANNOT BELIEVE that I agree with Al Sharpton!!
I'm with the rest of the chicks... Can't beleive I agree with Al Sharpton. But yes, it would be nice to go outside in our front yard and not hear all of the killing/cursing crap (music) being spewed by teen's passing by.
Might as well add movies to the list. I'm not so against a little cussing here and there. it's the sex talk, I really cannot handle. no way to I want my kids singing along to a song that talks about sex. come on people. so many of us have kids! and we want to listen to the radio. and see movies.
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