Everyday, there’s a new complaint about today’s youth in a newspaper or on a TV show. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly blame is thrown at people. Just recently, I was sent the infamous Sarah Sands’ article “Emo Cult Warning For Parents”. Now, it’s not the first time I’ve read, and I’m positive it wont be the last.
She refers to all Emos as having “corsets, capes, Celtic crosses, an unseeing stare and a prop such as a slightly mutilated china doll dragged along in one hand”. Yes, we all know that extremist who ventures over the deep end of the Freedom of Expression ship but I, personally, solute them.
That, though, is not my issue with the well-known article. My issue is the fact that one of the first topics she tackles is none other than blame. Who is at the receiving end of such accusations? Bands such as My Chemical Romance and Green Day. She also refers to “teenage websites” where “emo conversations” take place (the conversations, she says, include sighing, wailing, and poetry).
With every stereotype, there is bound to be characteristics that are trademark. We have always been told never to judge a book by its cover, but is that not what Miss Sarah Sands is doing now? Why is it she is blaming bands that have no goal other than to please and entertain there fans while artist such as Akon, and 50 Cent are left blameless?
Today’s hip-hop lyrics are more violent, more sexist than any “emo band” you will find. Their lyrics have been referred to as "urban culture" and "their environment" but is "Emo" not a culture of its own? If we have room to justify to hip-hop lyrics today why can that not be done for "emo" lyrics as well?
