Standing outside of Radio City Music Hall during the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards, Eminem performed his hit song, “The Real Slim Shady,” with 40 clones in white T-shirts and blue jeans. The song, which includes prejudiced references concerning homosexuals, and insults basically all of the pop music industry, is almost as controversial as the artist himself. Eminem’s hateful lyrics, and violent messages have long been deemed inappropriate by politicians and parents alike. However, in this case, the issue is not Eminem himself but the way that MTV has responded to him.When introducing Eminem at the Video Music Awards, actor Jim Carrey said, “He scares me. He scares me a little. His lyrics are completely socially unacceptable, but you know what, if we all spend a little time with our kids, I think it will all be OK.” Nice sermon. Nice sentiment. But let’s get real.Yes, morality begins and ends in the home, and is largely due to our parents influence. And yes, blaming teenage violence on Eminem or any other celebrity is ludicrous. But so is ignoring the correlation entirely.In one of his songs, “Kim,” Eminem pretends to murder his own wife, using some of the most graphic and deplorable language ever recorded on a CD. At the end of the song, he screams, “Now bleed, bitch, bleed!/ Bleed!!/ Bleed!” In another song, called “Who Knew,” he sings: “Take drugs! Rape sluts! Make fun of gay clubs! Men who wear makeup!”My 16-year-old sister and her friends listen to these songs for hours and find nothing wrong with them. The problem with music like this is that it desensitizes us to violence and prejudice, and when we hear about a school shooting or a hate crime, we do not feel the outrage we should.As a venue for teenagers and young adults, MTV has the responsibility to make sure that its audience understands the seriousness of crime and hate. And it cannot successfully convey this message when it awards Eminem`s song “The Real Slim Shady” Best Video of the Year.In its first airing on Sept. 7, the MTV Video Music Awards had an audience of 7 million viewers. The program has been re-aired countless times since then, and countless more people have seen the show. By not just allowing Eminem to participate, but rewarding his music with three awards – tied for the most of any performer – MTV has rewarded a man who preaches discrimination and violence.Eminem has the right to sing whatever he wants; MTV has the right to air whatever it wants. But it also has the responsibility to teach its impressionable viewers about tolerance and peace. Airing an ad about hate crimes against homosexuals, immediately after Eminem has performed on the awards show, is not sufficient. MTV must realize that it exerts a tremendous amount of influence over its audience. It must no longer view reprehensible lyrics as innocuous.Airing Eminem is MTV’s prerogative, as well as its right. But rewarding and glorifying him sends a message that there is nothing wrong with his behavior. And to quote Jim Carrey, that is “completely socially unacceptable.”
Sarah Topy is a political science major at Ohio State.