Eminem: Do Words Beget Deeds?

In what has been predicted to be the most controversial moment in the 43-year history of the Grammy Awards, rapper Eminem--whose obscenity-riddled lyrics often bash gays--will join pop singer Elton John--an openly gay man--in a duet on stage at the Feb. 21 awards ceremony. SAMANTHA MacLAREN spoke with an Eminem fan and a gay-rights activist about the event.

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MELISSA BRIONES

17, Palmdale High School

Actually, I think Eminem deserves his Grammy nominations because of his lyrics. Yes, they may promote violence, but the lyrics are so deep that anyone can relate to them. I see the duet between Elton John and Eminem as a chance for two types of music to come together.

I don’t find Eminem’s lyrics offensive in any way because music is music. People shouldn’t take his lyrics personally because it’s all in fun. He should be allowed to express himself. It’s just lyrics. People shouldn’t take it so seriously. Sure, some of the things he says are wrong, but you have to look at it for what it really is: It’s just lyrics.

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GWENN A. BALDWIN

Executive director, L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center

Idon’t know whether Eminem deserves a Grammy because I’m not a music expert. But what I can tell you is that Eminem has to be held accountable for the words of hate that he uses--and that he uses without apology.

I do not think he deserves the special forum that the Grammys have given him. Across the country, hundreds of people are attacked with words first before it escalates to physical violence. Hate crimes occur across the country and whether they are as horrific as the murder of Matthew Shepherd or as unknown as the person who may have been brutalized last night somewhere in Los Angeles, all those acts of violence started with words of hate. That’s really what my concern is--not about whether Eminem is breaking through new levels of music or whether he has a quality of creativity that is new and exciting. I’m not a judge of that. What I am a judge of is the impact on the 900 gay or lesbian people who, last year in Los Angeles alone, were victims of hate crimes. You can’t ignore the connection between words and these crimes.

I can’t imagine that the duet between Sir Elton John and Eminem is an attempt for acceptance by the gay community. I think it is an attempt to get more attention. I can’t imagine that it’s meant to be a peace offering or somehow should mitigate the concerns the gay community has. And to that extent, I am disappointed that John has agreed to do it. But if the duet indeed occurs, I hope it will be an opportunity for John to communicate--whether it’s on stage or backstage--to Eminem and ask him to acknowledge the impact of his words.

That’s the part that is most frustrating to me. This isn’t about irony; this isn’t about insightful commentary. Eminem has done nothing to acknowledge the potential damage of his lyrics or to even put his lyrics into context.

And his music is aimed at young people who are in the same age group as the majority of hate crimes perpetrators. The majority of hate crimes are not done by organized white supremacist groups; they are done by young people who are looking for a thrill and they think it’s OK to beat a “fag.”

The Grammys may not be intending to promote homophobia but [honoring Eminem] has the impact of providing a level of acceptability that it’s OK, that “sure, it’s edgy and uncomfortable, but gosh he’s a really creative artist.” The message it sends is that you can still treat gays and lesbians as objects of ridicule and abuse.

I’m a huge believer in owning up to your actions. If Elton John believes there is something positive that can come out of this, he should encourage Eminem to denounce the violence that could come from interpretations of his songs. Then I think John would have done something meaningful. But simply doing a duet is disappointing.