Hey everyone and happy reading week!
As we discussed violence in the media last week, I thought it was good idea to bring back the huam face behind viloence. Violence surrounds us in different forms as various power struggles and forms of oppression, both in media and in society. Violence surrounds us to the point that many forms are no longer recognizable as violence. Sexism, racism, spousal abuse, economic abuse, verbal abuse, etc. these are all forms of violence. A homeless person is an example of economic and structural violence, residential schools and stereotypes of the Aboriginal perpetuated in the media and in daily life are a form of cultural violence. Violence is everywhere. I feel that people today are no longer seeing violence, they turn a blind eye to it. People are no longer outraged by violence, it has become part of life. Just like the Akon song discussed in class, people think, "it's ok. That's not me." Furthermore, I believe music with such lyrics is violence, and enjoynig it or choosing to ignore it is saying violence is ok.
I was reading the news on BBC and I came across a part called "Day in Pictures." I found the pictures to be moving and help bring back a human face to conflict and life in general in other parts of the world. As we dicussed in class, the media makes it so easy for us to detach ourselves from war, conflict, poverty etc. as these people are seen as "Others." The media allows us to detach from these people because it doesn't effect us. Armies and other organizations are able to train their soldiers to kill the "enemy," as they are taught that they are unhuman, barbaric or whatever else they need to believe in order to kill. They may not be brainwashed to believe this, as we discusses this cannot happen; but they can be persuaded, sometimes using propeganda or other means, to believe in whatever cause they want their followers to believe. Just thought I'd remind those of you who may be detached of the human faces behind violence around the world.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/6389777.stm
have a safe and happy reading week.
As we discussed violence in the media last week, I thought it was good idea to bring back the huam face behind viloence. Violence surrounds us in different forms as various power struggles and forms of oppression, both in media and in society. Violence surrounds us to the point that many forms are no longer recognizable as violence. Sexism, racism, spousal abuse, economic abuse, verbal abuse, etc. these are all forms of violence. A homeless person is an example of economic and structural violence, residential schools and stereotypes of the Aboriginal perpetuated in the media and in daily life are a form of cultural violence. Violence is everywhere. I feel that people today are no longer seeing violence, they turn a blind eye to it. People are no longer outraged by violence, it has become part of life. Just like the Akon song discussed in class, people think, "it's ok. That's not me." Furthermore, I believe music with such lyrics is violence, and enjoynig it or choosing to ignore it is saying violence is ok.
I was reading the news on BBC and I came across a part called "Day in Pictures." I found the pictures to be moving and help bring back a human face to conflict and life in general in other parts of the world. As we dicussed in class, the media makes it so easy for us to detach ourselves from war, conflict, poverty etc. as these people are seen as "Others." The media allows us to detach from these people because it doesn't effect us. Armies and other organizations are able to train their soldiers to kill the "enemy," as they are taught that they are unhuman, barbaric or whatever else they need to believe in order to kill. They may not be brainwashed to believe this, as we discusses this cannot happen; but they can be persuaded, sometimes using propeganda or other means, to believe in whatever cause they want their followers to believe. Just thought I'd remind those of you who may be detached of the human faces behind violence around the world.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/6389777.stm
have a safe and happy reading week.
posted by IngeniousGene at 8:32 AM
2 Comments:
I've listened to, and even enjoyed, songs like the Akon song that we discussed in class. Contrary to the poster's opinions, I do NOT endorse violence in any way shape or form- or at least I do not see my choice in music as doing so. This is the problem with violent, degrading lyrics. Most people that enjoy these songs do not carry out or support the violent actions described in the song and so, like me, they don't see any problem with listening to this type of music. Supporting the messages that these songs portray in the literal sense is wrong, but trying to pass the onus onto the listeners in an indirect sense is not enough to get the masses to believe that their choice in music is perpetuating a violent culture.
Every person has violent tendencies, but it is whether one chooses to engage in violent acts that create a true problem. It is easy to blame the media for condoning and promoting violence. However, in some cases (i.e. 50 cent, Eminem, heavy metal, etc) the violent messages that come out are a release for the artist. Time and time again we hear artists saying, "yes, at the time I felt this way", but violence in a song is different than violence acted out in reality.
In the United States, the Courts have frequently shown that artists cannot be held responsible for the violent acts committed by others (Ozzy and 'suicide solution' for example). A murderer who listens to Judas Priest could have easily have used The Beatles to justify killing someone. It isn't the music, its the person.
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