I addressed this above. I don't see that as a black or white issue, but simply an issue of numbers of instances. And I agree that banning language will fail if it's done by legislation. But if it's done at a grass-roots level by record companies, that might make a huge difference. If young black men (and women, but I think this is mostly men) don't hear about bitches and hos and niggers in every song they listen to, maybe they will stop using that language themselves and thus, over time, other people may also stop using it. That's my hope, anyway. And no, I'm not saying it's all the fault of the media, just like violence isn't the fault of video games, but the prevalence of that kind of language in rap/hip-hop is frankly scary, and what it does to the music video industry is worse. In particular the after-hours videos (I forget the correct term) which are basically sanctioned misogyny festivals.
The problem is it's very hard to unbottle the genie, and that language and attitude HAS crept into the music and art, so where does that leave us? Black women in particular are being hurt by this, other women and black men to a lesser extent, and white men practically not at all. And it's the white men running the record companies. So how can this be fought? You personally fight it by voting with your wallet, but it's going to take a lot MORE people doing that, and letting the record companies know why, to get them to change. I've never had much of a belief in boycotts alone, but as part of a concerted, SUSTAINED effort it might hit them where it hurts. There are crusaders out there doing that, as you say, but more is better. You have not only an interest in the subject, but a vested interest in making this better. I guess we just disagree about the methods. I see your posts attacking white racists (and male sexists and straight gay-bashers for that matter), but nothing about the most prevalent source of public hate-speech, so it does look like you're picking and choosing your targets. As S said above, this one may have just struck a chord, so I apologize for calling your tactics racist.
Public airwaves are protected, regulated space.
That also have caustic lyrics spouted on many stations/channels. Just because a syllable or two are bleeped out doesn't mean people don't realize what's being said.
no subject
I addressed this above. I don't see that as a black or white issue, but simply an issue of numbers of instances. And I agree that banning language will fail if it's done by legislation. But if it's done at a grass-roots level by record companies, that might make a huge difference. If young black men (and women, but I think this is mostly men) don't hear about bitches and hos and niggers in every song they listen to, maybe they will stop using that language themselves and thus, over time, other people may also stop using it. That's my hope, anyway. And no, I'm not saying it's all the fault of the media, just like violence isn't the fault of video games, but the prevalence of that kind of language in rap/hip-hop is frankly scary, and what it does to the music video industry is worse. In particular the after-hours videos (I forget the correct term) which are basically sanctioned misogyny festivals.
The problem is it's very hard to unbottle the genie, and that language and attitude HAS crept into the music and art, so where does that leave us? Black women in particular are being hurt by this, other women and black men to a lesser extent, and white men practically not at all. And it's the white men running the record companies. So how can this be fought? You personally fight it by voting with your wallet, but it's going to take a lot MORE people doing that, and letting the record companies know why, to get them to change. I've never had much of a belief in boycotts alone, but as part of a concerted, SUSTAINED effort it might hit them where it hurts. There are crusaders out there doing that, as you say, but more is better. You have not only an interest in the subject, but a vested interest in making this better. I guess we just disagree about the methods. I see your posts attacking white racists (and male sexists and straight gay-bashers for that matter), but nothing about the most prevalent source of public hate-speech, so it does look like you're picking and choosing your targets. As S said above, this one may have just struck a chord, so I apologize for calling your tactics racist.
Public airwaves are protected, regulated space.
That also have caustic lyrics spouted on many stations/channels. Just because a syllable or two are bleeped out doesn't mean people don't realize what's being said.