Art vs. Antisemitism feat. Eminem | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post

Art vs. Antisemitism feat. Eminem

When being the realest rapper has real consequences.

238
Art vs. Antisemitism feat. Eminem
Wikipedia Commons

Los Angeles, 2001 -- Eminem, at the height of his career and craft, was joined on the Grammy stage by Elton John to perform the hit (now a classic) “Stan” -- a powerful show of unity between the target of heated homophobia accusations and a gay icon. "The Marshall Mathers LP", which would win Best Rap Album that night, is indeed articled with numerous seemingly celebratory lashings of the gay community such as “make fun of gay clubs” and plenty of unamiable uses of “fag” and “faggot”. The performance with John was to be a grand address to those hurt by the lyrics and a gesture of camaraderie. That Em then continued to apparently bash homosexuals after, even as recently as in his 2013 album where he refers to someone “so gay I can barely say it with a straight face”, has instead led to puzzlement over what could have been a distinctly historical music & culture moment.

Elton John himself perhaps best explained the perceived waffling when he said in 2017 that Eminem was “never homophobic”. The gay slurs are simply something from his background -- insulting slang words which have little association to their original meaning (as Louis C.K. similarly suggested), the rapper has occasionally explained. Now, that words linked to specific communities would become transformed at a collective level into insults is problematic in itself, but as it is, how else is Eminem expected to use the language of his community in an earnest way? As a young Ice Cube states in “Straight Outta Compton” (the film): “Our art is a reflection of our reality”. It’s this concept of reflection which I think goes a long way in explaining much of the frankly awful content in Eminem’s music. He has always been a blatant provocateur, frequently taking the character of a rapist and murderer, even mock-bragging about things like necrophilia, bestiality, and incest. Informing all of it is the core message of his career.

"White America! I could be one of your kids.

White America! Little Eric looks just like this.

White America! Erica loves my shit.

I go to TRL, look how many hugs I get!"

This repeated chorus in between verse lines about smacking bitches and “fuck school”, it seems Em is saying “The more sick, demented, offensive, and violent I am, the more you can’t get enough; because I represent the true values of this country which people try and cast shadows on with their own flag-flying ones”. It’s honesty, genuineness and hypocrite-shucking from a joyfully pessimistic viewpoint and with execution based on shock. To anyone who has a problem, he points first to his music’s commercial success -- proof of his supposedly repulsive ideas’ resonance -- and then asks who exactly they think would be a more appropriate national voicebox. “You want me to clean up my lyrics while the president gets his dick sucked?”. While this understanding of Eminem as an artist certainly doesn’t excuse the horrible content - especially that directed at vulnerable social groups - it at least accounts for his consistency. Eminem has never been homophobic, only a crude simultaneous manifestation and living indictment of American culture; so though he hoped to make a clear stand on homophobia via the Elton John performance, his lyrics didn’t change.

Across the Atlantic, years past Eminem’s heyday, a similar discussion is taking place. Rap duo Kollegah and Farid Bang recently won the German version of a Grammy for their album which concerningly punchlines a different minority group. “Make another Holocaust/Show up with a Molotov”, they bar. While familiar explanations have been taken to -- provocation, using exaggeration to bring ugly truth into the sunlight (the best disinfectant) - antisemetism in Germany is no topic of light scrutiny.

You can’t yell “Fire!” in a crowded building -- the textbook example of the only acceptable curb on freedom of speech -- real harm. In the decision between celebration and denouncement of the kind of lyrics discussed here, this is the question of pertinence. There has been no mass execution of homosexuals in the United States, but gay people have endured hardship, even violence. Is there a scale of real suffering which determines the acceptability of taking on a topic (in anything other than a somber way)? Eminem fans know he isn’t actually a proponent of murder, but might they emulate him by using the word “fag” in a derogatorily? And if so, where does the locus of responsibility fall? The answers to these questions are not here, maybe perfect ones don’t exist. This comparison though, a study in popularity and pushed limits, is a helpful example set for discussion.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

196755
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

18774
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

460814
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28277
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments