The answer is in the music
Domestic violence has gained national attention thanks to a videotape showing professional football player Ray Rice hitting his soon-to-be wife Janay Palmer in February.
The media has rightly covered this story, illuminating how domestic violence, long with us, has remained in the shadows as most of those abused rarely come forward. Since the revelation of the assault, we are hearing from all quarters that domestic violence must be taken more seriously.
One element of the discussion I have not heard is why this happens. Why, when women have gained so much, do so many find themselves victims to such abuses? The “why” is never asked, or answered.
Perhaps, its time to address what could be a contributing factor: the cultural degradation within the music industry.
Going back three decades, music took another shift as tastes changed. But, unlike shifts from rock to Motown to disco, this shift included a hard, nasty and demeaning element, with lyrics devoid of an uplifting message. Too often, lyrics presented women as nothing more than chattel, to be used for whatever benefit a male would desire.
Those who criticized such “music” were themselves criticized for daring to even bring this up. So, the critics shut up and the music industry continued to make billions as young people clamored for more, with little regard for the lyrics.
Maybe its time for critics to speak up once again.
Gerald Fontana
Waynesburg