Grammy Shame

As a Grammy voting member, I had my fingers crossed that my fellow National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences members would overlook work that perpetuates the hatred of minorities in this year’s Grammy nominations. The day the nominations were announced, I hung my head in shame (“Eminem’s Grammy Nod Strikes a Blow for, and to, the Critics,” by Geoff Boucher, Jan. 4, 2001).

I champion Eminem’s right to say whatever idiotic thing he wants to say in his quest for fame, money or whatever his misguided perception of respect entails. I am not calling for censorship here. I am making a plea against the validation of hatred and violence.

GEOFF SCHACKERT

West Hollywood

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Although it is true that many of Eminem’s lyrics are vulgar and disrespectful, that is not what upsets me most about his music. What upsets me most is the fact that this is the story of his life.

All the talk of drugs and beating are representations of what he has lived, or how he feels because of the suffering he encountered as a child and throughout his life. Perhaps the people who are most upset by his music should look at the base of the issue, the society kids are growing up in today.

If we don’t want more kids to grow up singing vulgar lyrics, don’t let them grow up with rapes, beatings and drug dealers to sing about.

JUSTINE CEPHUS

Los Angeles