Week 7: Prompt 2: Don't Degrade Me...

Prompt – Thinking about the essay entitled “Watch Those Blurred Lines,” what is a song that you find degrading to either your sex, race, nationality, or ethnic group.  What is the song, why is it degrading, and what reaction do you have to the song & why?

Degrade: (Verb)…
treat or regard (someone) with contempt or disrespect (Google.com)

There are plenty of songs in this generation that degrade some aspect of the person I am.  One such song is Beyonce’s “To The Left.”  I know most people would not classify this song as degrading to women, but I feel that it is.

Let’s break it down…

In the song, the woman is getting rid of a man who has mistreated her, cheated her, and dogged her out.  She’s states that she’s tired of him and his shenanigans.  But, a few lines later, she tells the man, I can have another YOU in a minute.  Then she further goes on to tell him that the new guy will be there in a minute.  So, you’re getting rid of a NUT, and replacing him with a NUT!

I consider this song degrading to women because it teaches them to continue to make the same mistakes when it comes to men.  I believe that by teaching corrupt messages to the younger generation is degrading.  Think about the definition above… to treat someone with disrespect.  It’s disrespectful to teach someone something wrong.  You make them look bad, thereby making yourself look bad through association.

In a day and age where our women degrade themselves in so many ways, we as leaders must be responsible with our messages and ensure that we teach the correct messages.

Granted I’m taking some liberties with the definition and this theory, but that’s how I feel.