In Our Abusive Balladeers , Joe Carter apologizes for his generation’s role in the debasing of our culture, and particularly for the violent and misogynist music Eminem and his peers. “On one of his earlier albums,” Carter writes,
Mathers rapped about raping his mother, arranging the gang rape of his sister, and murdering his wife. His defenders explained that he was merely expressing a fantasy. In this song, he raps about beating a woman and setting her on fire. His defenders explain that he is merely reflecting reality. Apparently, for people like Mathers and his apologists, violence against women is acceptable, since it’s a man’s fantasy and a woman’s reality.
Joe reflects on what this means and compares such music with a healthier type.
While I have you, can I ask you something? I’ll be quick.
Twenty-five thousand people subscribe to First Things. Why can’t that be fifty thousand? Three million people read First Things online like you are right now. Why can’t that be four million?
Let’s stop saying “can’t.” Because it can. And your year-end gift of just $50, $100, or even $250 or more will make it possible.
How much would you give to introduce just one new person to First Things? What about ten people, or even a hundred? That’s the power of your charitable support.
Make your year-end gift now using this secure link or the button below.
