The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) issued what the organization terms a GLAAD Alert last Thursday against the rapper known as Eminem. The gay rights organization has taken offense at some of the lyrical content of the rappers latest release, "The Marshell Mathers LP.
This is not the first time Eminem's lyrics have landed the rapper in hot water. Teen Pop Tart Christina Aguilera publicly denounced the rapper after she took offense at lewd comments Eminem made about her in his current single, "The Real Slim Shady".
Even his own mother has taken offense. In his song "My Name Is" Eminem contends, "I just found out my Mom does more dope than I do". She apparently didn't find the lyrics amusing. She is suing her son for $10 million claiming defamation of character.
Below is the full text of the GLAAD Alert.
The Marshall Masters LP, the newest release from hip hop artist Eminem, carries the warning �Explicit Lyrics.� That is an understatement. Eminem�s lyrics are soaked with violence and full of negative comments about many groups, including lesbians and gay men.
A sample of the lyrics geared toward LGBT community members include:
"You faggots keep egging me on
'Til I have you at knifepoint,
then you beg me to stop"
"My words are like a dagger with a jagged
edge
That'll stab you in the head whether
you're a fag or les
Or the homosex, hermaph or a
trans-a-ves
Pants or dress
Hate fags? The answer's yes �"
"Hey, it's me, Versace
Whoops, somebody shot me
And I was out checking the mail
Get it, checking the male?"
While Eminem certainly has the freedom
of speech to rap whatever he wants, it is irresponsible for UNI/Interscope
Records as a company to produce and promote such defamatory material that
encourages violence and hatred. This is especially negligent when considering
the market for this music has been shown to be adolescent males, the very
group that statistically commits the most hate
crimes.
GLAAD calls upon UNI/Interscope to stop and think of the consequences of publishing such material and for it to raise its standards for what products it produces and what artists it promotes. These standards should include not helping exalt hatred and violence.
Also, please let Eminem know that he needs to be responsible for the messages his music sends out. Holding the LGBT community up as a target for abuse is unnecessary to sell records. He recently told MTV that he does not hate gays, but his lyrics Speak for themselves. Let Eminem know how such disregard for others can lead to discrimination, physical abuse and even death. He can be reached through his manager.
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