I remember a few years ago I went with a group to the big day out and watched the prodigy, we all (our group, not the entire audience)turned our backs to the stage while they performed 'smack my bitch up' in protest.
I agree with those who said it is a catchy song, musically I think it is one of their best, but I think that just makes it worse. If it was a crap song no one would listen to it in the first place and there wouldn't be a problem.
I think Moby has a good point, even if you claim not to be personally misogynist/homophobic, promoting it as an acceptable, reasonable attitude is just not on - in fact it would be preferable if these people were closet misogynists and just kept their mouths shut, the damage caused would be far less.
I agree with his basic point that misongyny and homophobia are still prevalent in our society and that violence against anybody, be they male, female, gay or straight is never a good thing. However, I find his suggestion that "Smack My Bitch Up" or the unnamed Eminem song could be to blame for someone's violent actions somewhat disturbing. It sounds to me very much like those who blame violence in video games and movies for violence in the real world. I find it odd that an artist would suggest that another artist is responsible for the actions of a third party over whom they had no direct influence. I find it even stranger that he tries to cover this up at the end of his article by blaming record company employees and journalists (to quote: "you have blood on your hands, and you should be deeply, deeply troubled at the culture that you've helped to create"). Who does he really think is at fault here? The bands? The record companies? The journalists and DJs? The public who buy the albums?
In the interests of healthy debate, here are a few of points to discuss : Should there be a media blackout on anyone who produces art that is deemed mysoginist, homophobic or otherwise deeply offensive? Would this course of action have any effect on the levels of misogyny, homophobia or otherwise deeply offensive behaviour in society? Who decides what is mysoginist, homophobic or otherwise offensive? (remember when Nirvana released "Rape Me" and everyone got all upset over the name of the song?) Should bands, record companies or DJs be held liable for the actions of those who listen to these songs? Where exactly does social responsibility with regards to art end, if at all?
Moby seems to be playing the blame game here, and that's always a dangerous game to play.
Frankly, I'm not a fan of Eminem and while "Smack My Bitch Up" is kinda catchy (read: repetitive) I wouldn't be upset if I never heard it again. Having said that I think it would be nice if everyone could be well educated and intelligent enough to figure out that just because you hear something in a song, it doesn't mean you have to go out and do it.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
chiming
no subject
Date: 2005-12-09 12:53 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2005-12-09 01:27 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2005-12-09 01:28 am (UTC)From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2005-12-09 02:11 am (UTC)From:I remember a few years ago I went with a group to the big day out and watched the prodigy, we all (our group, not the entire audience)turned our backs to the stage while they performed 'smack my bitch up' in protest.
I agree with those who said it is a catchy song, musically I think it is one of their best, but I think that just makes it worse. If it was a crap song no one would listen to it in the first place and there wouldn't be a problem.
I think Moby has a good point, even if you claim not to be personally misogynist/homophobic, promoting it as an acceptable, reasonable attitude is just not on - in fact it would be preferable if these people were closet misogynists and just kept their mouths shut, the damage caused would be far less.
no subject
Date: 2005-12-09 08:13 am (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2005-12-09 02:08 pm (UTC)From:In the interests of healthy debate, here are a few of points to discuss
:
Should there be a media blackout on anyone who produces art that is deemed mysoginist, homophobic or otherwise deeply offensive?
Would this course of action have any effect on the levels of misogyny, homophobia or otherwise deeply offensive behaviour in society?
Who decides what is mysoginist, homophobic or otherwise offensive? (remember when Nirvana released "Rape Me" and everyone got all upset over the name of the song?)
Should bands, record companies or DJs be held liable for the actions of those who listen to these songs?
Where exactly does social responsibility with regards to art end, if at all?
Moby seems to be playing the blame game here, and that's always a dangerous game to play.
Frankly, I'm not a fan of Eminem and while "Smack My Bitch Up" is kinda catchy (read: repetitive) I wouldn't be upset if I never heard it again. Having said that I think it would be nice if everyone could be well educated and intelligent enough to figure out that just because you hear something in a song, it doesn't mean you have to go out and do it.