Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Brothers, Sisters...We don't need this fascist, sexist, homophobic groove thang



Hello folks.

A somewhat disturbing story that I read on NME which can be read in a little more detail over at AllHipHop.

The man in the picture at the top is called Trick Trick. Trick Trick is a collaborator of Eminem, and Trick Trick has some serious issues. The man is homophobic to his core. I am not going to reprint what he said here -with freedom of speech comes responsibility, and his views on homosexuality are just offensive, not just to those who define themselves as non-heterosexual but any right thinking person. He has said, quite bluntly, that he doens't want homosexuals buying his album. Don't worry, I don't think many people will, hater, bigotry has to stop somewhere.

I'm encouraged by most of the comments on the NME and AllHipHop posts that I read, it's clear that the majority of people think he's a sick, sick man in a very bad way. It's time that society confronted this sort of hatred full on. There is no excuse. Period.

Oh, and anyone who tries to excuse themselves by quoting this passage from the Bible can go away. Stop hiding your prejudice behind religious teachings that you have distorted to promote your hatred.

Society is changing, and hopefully, not just with Barack Obama's election as President, but people do seem to be realising that standing out against sexism, racism and homophobia isn't about political correctness, it's to do with human respect. Mrs. 17 Seconds and I have quite a few gay and lesbian friends; in fact, some of them - gosh! shock! HORROR! -are Christians as well. It is, as they say, not about where you're from, it's where you're at.

As a teacher, I find many young people are becoming more enlightened. The school where I teach does deal with homophobic incidents, though in the previous school there was amazement that I'd reported one girl for making homophobic remarks about another girl. There has been the somewhat disquieting rise in the use of the word gay meaning 'stupid.' As a fellow teacher said to one child: 'What do you mean, that chair's gay? Are you saying it wants to have sex with other chairs?!' tee hee...

There's an interesting list here about songs that speak out about homophobia.

Bronski Beat -'Smalltown Boy.' mp3

...and that video



Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy - ' The Language Of Violence.' mp3 [BTW excellent piece on this band over at Teenage Kicks

...and that video



Senseless Things -'Homophobic Asshole.' mp3



Chumbawumba -'Homophobia.' mp3

...and yes, the video for this too



'All that is needed for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.' Edmund Burke.

16 comments:

entrailicus said...

Thanks a lot for this post. Just when you think humanity is moving on and up, you get knobheads like this trying to drag us back into the dark ages.

Anyone who hasn't heard the Disposable heroes track should stop reading the comments and downoad it immediately - a truly astounding piece of music.

Ed said...

No worries, Adam, and glad for the support. Glad you like the Disposable Heroes track too!

Anonymous said...

Indeed, and thank you Sir! You've picked all the songs I would have to prove this point xoxoox

Anonymous said...

Indeed, and thank you Sir! You've picked all the songs I would have to prove this point xoxoox

Ed said...

Cheers, Tart! Could probably have posted other songs too, but felt this made the point pretty well. I remember buying the Homophobia 12" when I was at school, felt like a political act almost...

david said...

Well said Ed.

Made me think of the reggae scene too. I love reggae (well, a lot of it) but on the other hand, there are undoubted problems with homophobia there too.

A blog with something (sensible) to say is always welcome.

Ed said...

Thank you, I too love a lot of hip-hop and reggae, but find the homophobia displayed by some acts very difficult to stomach.

FiL said...

Keep on keeping on, Dearest Ed!!

Ed said...

Cheers, fil, hope you're doing well too. That line always reminds me of the Redskins, btw...

FiL said...

Then it had the intended effect!! ;-)

Ed said...

Result... : ))

chaoticfish said...

Thanks for using your blog for good instead of evil. Very kind, wise words in this new climate of change. Cheers!

So It Goes said...

Top marks for clear-headed thinking from one of the greatest writers and one of the nicest guys on the web (and I'm not just saying that because of the link, but thank you very much anyway). People with a mindset like Trick Trick should fucking grow up. I stopped going to one church because the vicar had the audacity to come out with, 'We don't hate gay people, we just hate what they do.' Intolerance starts at home.

Ed said...

You're both welcome, as ever.

Should emphasise that I do know clergy who aren't homophobic, starting with my old man... : ))

IMI said...

I can't understand how Obama could have won by a landslide at the same time every state (3) that had a constitutional amendment on the ballot against gays - passed.

It's mind-boggling. Do they really think a person can catch "gay" like a virus or flu?

Well written post and a voice of reason (plus good tracks). Thank you.

Ed said...

Some people still ahve to get a grip it would seem. Glad to have support on this post!