Eminem responds to homophobic lyrics
Controversial Rapper Eminem has spoken out about the criticism he has received from the media over the homophobic lyrics in this song ‘Rap God’. While speaking with Rolling Stone magazine, Eminem defended his lyrics saying that he doesn’t think the language is anti-gay but rather a generic insult, “like calling someone a bitch or a punk or asshole”.
In a snippet of the soon to be published cover story for Rolling Stone posted on the magazine’s website Eminem was asked:
“You’ve made it clear again and again that you don’t actually have a problem with gay people. So why, in 2013, use ‘faggot’ on that song? Why use ‘gay-looking’ as an insult?”
Eminem responded with, “When I came up battle-rappin’ or whatever, I never really equated those words … ”
“To actually mean ‘homosexual’?” the interviewer Brian Hiatt asks.
“Yeah. It was more like calling someone a bitch or a punk or asshole.” Eminem adds, “I say so much shit that’s tongue-in-cheek. I poke fun at other people, myself. But the real me sitting here right now talking to you has no issues with gay, straight, transgender, at all.”
Eminem ends the upcoming interview by saying:
“Well, look, I’ve been doing this shit for, what, 14 years now? And I think people know my personal stance on things and the personas that I create in my music. And if someone doesn’t understand that by now, I don’t think there’s anything I can do to change their mind about it.”
Despite his sometimes jarring verbosity, the rapper is a supporter of gay marriage, telling the New York Times in 2010: ”I think if two people love each other, then what the hell? I think that everyone should have the chance to be equally miserable, if they want.”
By this token, if “that’s so Jew” became common as an insult, and we could say “nigger” as a common insult, the same argument would apply – it’s not about Jews or black people, rather just a generic insult.
If he’s not homophobic, then why can’t he use language that isn’t..Homophobic…?
There is a point at which PC becomes stupid. If we know his intention isn’t homophobic then who cares? Do we have to sanitise everything we say in case we offend someone? I admire his very clearly stated acceptance. In his industry (the US bogan equivalent) – that takes guts.
It’s not PC Jacob. It’s trying to reduce the environment of negativity. If everyone around you is using “That’s gay” as a negative, “You’re Gay” and “You Faggot” as an insult, people in songs are singing the same Anti-Gay sort of lyrics, you start thinking that everyone’s against you. It’s not about sanitising, it’s not about offence. Mackelmore summed it up really well – “Gay is synonymous with the lesser”. If we don’t change that view we’re going to persistently have the abhorrently high over-representation of gay kids in suicide and self harm statistics and a lot of mental health and wellbeing issues moving forward.
I too admire his support of marriage equality but that doesn’t make up for lyrics that perpetuate the negativity around being gay that’s so common in society.