I came across this article about a parent complainng about the music played at an afterschool dance in Virginia and it got me to thinking, “who decides what explicit is and who is supposed to enforce it”?
I remember having my mother talk to me about the lyrics of music I listened to, and setting me straight about a few things, when I was younger. She made it a point to explain what the lyrics meant, how they may be applied to me, and how others might view me as a consequence of me repeating those lyrics. With that upbringing, I went on to work in afterschool during undergrad. I distincly remember students wanting to play music that I didn’t deem “appropriate” for them thought I listened to it myself. The argument was usually something along the lines of:
Student, “I listen to it at home.”
Me, “Then go home and listen to it”
Student, “But my mom knows I listen to it. It’s not a big deal.”
Me, “Great, then listen to it at home. Let’s try something new while we’re here.”
Needless to say, I won out because 1) I wouldn’t budge and 2) I was in charge. After introducing them to music that I deemed “appropriate” for them to listen to, I would drive away listening to the same songs that I didn’t think they should have heard. Am I a hypocrite?
When I heard parents complain about the work that educators do/ enviornment that their child is in, I wonder how many of them are adhearing to the same standards at home. How do the kids know to request those kinds of songs in the first place?
Bigger Than Your Block 