Street Smart

You're cancelled

 

February 25, 2021



I like to listen to music when I exercise. The right beat can motivate me and take my mind off the pain I'm inflicting on my tired old body! A few weeks ago, my granddaughter and her best friend were visiting and I very briefly heard a song they were playing. It had the type of beat I like to exercise to, so I asked the name of the tune (Colt 45) and downloaded it. The next day I played the song and was completely disgusted when I actually paid attention to the lyrics. I deleted the song immediately. Lesson learned. There's more to the music than just the beat.

Coincidently, later that same day, I read a headline about country music artist Morgan Wallen using profane language (including the "N" word) that was caught on video. Out of curiosity I checked the internet, found the video and played it. An obviously intoxicated Morgan Wallen did indeed use foul and inappropriate language. However, I was struck by the fact that his outburst sounded very much like the lyrics I had heard in the song described above. That got me thinking.

When I'm alone in my truck, I'll often sing along with artists I listen to, such as George Strait (I'm a country fan). It made me wonder if young people did the same with popular songs they enjoy. It only makes sense that they do, but I wanted to be sure and decided to go right to the source. I asked my granddaughter and her friend (ages 19 and 21, respectively) if they sang along to the rap songs with filthy and offensive language. Their answer? "Of course we do!" I told them about the video of Morgan Wallen that I had seen. Paraphrasing their response to my question about the video, "That's no big deal. Everyone talks that way."

I'm not going to make excuses for Morgan Wallen. In my view, what he said should be offensive to everyone. He never should have used the language he did. He was banned from the nation's two largest radio stations, removed from contention for any music awards, pulled from music streaming services and suspended by his record label. I understand he made a public apology and has been very contrite about all that occurred. He should be! However, I also see this as an example of the increasingly ridiculous "cancel culture" at work once again. Before you quit reading this and use the paper to start your stove, please, hear me out.

Morgan Wallen is now in the cancel culture's crosshairs for using language that would be entirely acceptable as a song lyric in popular music, and I don't get it. His language could have been lyrics to a hit record if he'd only thrown his tantrum in a recording studio. Now I understand that context is really important here and I'm obviously being somewhat facetious. That said, I think my argument is a valid one. We have allowed a certain type of vulgar behavior and language to invade our culture to the point it has become acceptable and often imitated. That fact, in my view, is where the breakdown occurred. Do a little investigating yourself. Stop reading right now and go Google "filthy rap lyrics with the word n****." I did, and found a page listing 59,422 songs (I'm using the word song very loosely here)! Next, I Googled the lyrics to Colt 45. If you're not easily offended, have a look. You'll see my point I'm sure. There are thousands of other examples and they actually give music awards for this kind of garbage! Wallen is the age where he would likely have grown up listening to the same vulgar words he shouted, being used in mainstream music. Now some people are mad because he used the words that he, and probably every kid he knew, grew up with. That to me is absurd! We allow it and then get mad when they do it!? Corroboration is important and nothing I've read pointed to any evidence of Wallen being racist other than his use of a word kids all over the country are (wrongfully) hearing and using on a daily basis.

The cancel culture proponents are claiming Wallen's use of the language is an example of racism and white supremacy that is prevalent in country music. To support their argument, they point to the fact that Wallen's music sales have actually increased since his outburst. I checked and Wallen has sold more records and received a great deal of support from country music fans. However, I don't believe for a second that all those supporting Wallen are racists. Instead, I believe he's getting support because people are sick and tired of the cancel culture's antics and want to make a point. I believe the people supporting Wallen see this for exactly what it is; an immature, drunk young man shouting words he's been hearing and using for most of his life. Let's treat the incident for what it is and move on. Much to the cancel culture's dismay, not everything that happens is an example of racism. To me, cancel culture's numerous escapades are like the story of the Boy Who Cried Wolf. Pretty soon we'll all just quit paying attention.

Blaine Blackstone is a retired Los Angeles Police Sergeant who enjoys the simpler life in Thompson Falls.

 

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