Music and Culture

In today's modern world, music encompasses almost every form of media. It is everywhere; it is played outside and inside stores, on the television, at the movies, on the computer, in elevators, and can also be heard coming from around the heads of most teenagers. This is not a bad thing per say, but it can very easily be. A growing amount of music now features many themes that are far from favorable. In times such as these, where music has such a hold on the general populous and children more specifically, there needs to be more of a positive message and less of the negative motifs that are now so prevalent.

Although the argument may be made that not all rap music contains negative ideas about the treatment of women and violence, it is obvious that a large amount of it does. One example of this would be a song by the popular rap group NWA called "Boyz in the Hood". At many points during this song, women are referred to as "hos" or "bitches" and are treated no better than stray dogs. This song also contains the description of the murder of a black youth. How can these ideas be good for the developing and pliable minds of today's children? While this message may be sent by some rap songs, it is not necessarily in all of them. The song "Hey Mama," by Kanye West sends an incredibly good image. This song is about how a man loves his mother and is going back to school to get his life on track for her.

Rap is not the only music that can send a bad message to kids. Alternative band Slipknot has many songs that talk solely about the killing and mutilation of your fellow man. Ill treatment of women is unacceptable, but the killing of another person is worse by far. This is the last thing a child should be hearing. Again, not all songs in this genre take part in the spreading of such horrible ideals. The band Killswitch Engage's song "Rose of Sharyn" is a mourning song about a loved one who has passed on.

It is easy to find music that hands out bad ideals like candy, but it is harder to find songs that do not. Musicians, bands, and songs that go against the grain of today's

pop culture and do not send negative messages out into society should be praised and raised up above others. These musicians, bands, and songs thrive to make this world a better place no matter what their peers may be doing.