2008 Woodie Awards
My View: Music should unite us, not split us into groups
By: Kristine Fetalco
Issue date: 9/23/04 Section: Opinion
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We have seen instances where people are labeled based on the music they listen to, just as in high school where social personalities are stereotyped.
In high school, there are the stereotypical jocks, geeks, preppy and all kind of labels that are depicted in teen movies. The same goes for music.
It is only fair to favor a genre of music that one is inclined to; however, music preference shouldn't reduce any of us into labels. Everybody should be free to listen to whatever they want and not live in fear of name-calling when they deviate from what the majority adhere to.
In the music world where MTV, VH1 and BET are the rulers, we often see people being labeled a certain way.
Labels include the punk, the rocker, the goth, the emo kid, the rapper, the pop princesses and all kinds of discrete and implied labels. We've judged people in terms of what music they listen to.
Earlier this year, I met this woman who was donned in black from head to toe, had random piercings on her face and had bright highlights on her hair; she asked what kind of music I listen to. I told her I like emo, rock and punk, and afterward she gave me a blank stare like she wasn't sure what I was talking about. She told me that she didn't believe me because I didn't look like somebody who listens to punk music. Do I have to actually consume gobs of black eyeliner so I wouldn't be laughed at the next time I listen to punk? We shouldn't judge somebody just because he doesn't fit a certain stereotype.
I remember watching "The O.C." last fall and hearing Marissa Cooper (played by Mischa Barton) say something along the lines of, "just because a person dresses a certain way doesn't mean she can't listen to a certain kind of music."
Although I'm neither a fan of Mischa on the show, I have to give credit to the underlying truth in her statement. The problem lies in when people start seeing everything in terms of the way they adhere to a certain music genre. Music should be a bond, not an excuse to judge people.
In high school, there are the stereotypical jocks, geeks, preppy and all kind of labels that are depicted in teen movies. The same goes for music.
It is only fair to favor a genre of music that one is inclined to; however, music preference shouldn't reduce any of us into labels. Everybody should be free to listen to whatever they want and not live in fear of name-calling when they deviate from what the majority adhere to.
In the music world where MTV, VH1 and BET are the rulers, we often see people being labeled a certain way.
Labels include the punk, the rocker, the goth, the emo kid, the rapper, the pop princesses and all kinds of discrete and implied labels. We've judged people in terms of what music they listen to.
Earlier this year, I met this woman who was donned in black from head to toe, had random piercings on her face and had bright highlights on her hair; she asked what kind of music I listen to. I told her I like emo, rock and punk, and afterward she gave me a blank stare like she wasn't sure what I was talking about. She told me that she didn't believe me because I didn't look like somebody who listens to punk music. Do I have to actually consume gobs of black eyeliner so I wouldn't be laughed at the next time I listen to punk? We shouldn't judge somebody just because he doesn't fit a certain stereotype.
I remember watching "The O.C." last fall and hearing Marissa Cooper (played by Mischa Barton) say something along the lines of, "just because a person dresses a certain way doesn't mean she can't listen to a certain kind of music."
Although I'm neither a fan of Mischa on the show, I have to give credit to the underlying truth in her statement. The problem lies in when people start seeing everything in terms of the way they adhere to a certain music genre. Music should be a bond, not an excuse to judge people.