Why are Songs About Rape Acceptable?

This post started out as Facebook rant that needed more attention.  If you follow me on Facebook you know on June 24^th I posted an article from the Daily Beast about Rape Hop.  The article stated artists have been singing about rape for years with no backlash. 

Do you think only Eminem or Notorious B.I.G. ventured into this arena?  Rape lyrics have been sung long before the golden rap age of the 90s. Who can forget George Michaels’?

I will be your father figure

I have had enough of crime

I will be the one who loves you -

Until the end of time

That's all I wanted

But sometimes love can be mistaken

For a crime

Think that is bad, try the Rolling Stones.

Old coast slave ship bound for cotton fields

Sold in a market down in New Orleans

Scarred old slaver knows he's doing alright

Hear him with the women just around midnight

Brown sugar how come you taste so good?

Brown sugar just like a young girl should

Yep, it is about raping a slave.  Nice, huh? 

Have you seen the Book of Mormon?  If you did, you would have heard the cast sing about raping babies to an upbeat tune.  While in the audience NO ONE complaint at my performance. Will this be elevator music in hell?

Tipper Gore, Queen Latifia and others have spoken up about the subject but no one seems to listen or wants to hold artists accountable.  A good example is Robin Thicke’s new lyrics  where it says “I know you want it, Don’t get confused, you git’n it!” 

Yet on the flip side, Paula Deen said something equally as awful and is paying a very hefty price.  Is society missing something? My initial reaction is women must not think the degrading lyrics are directed at them. If they did, they would not sing along, buy the music and make it their latest ring tone. The reality is these songs are directed at all women including mothers, sisters, grandmothers, aunts, nieces, wives, neighbors and most importantly our daughters. Just think what our daughters are learning from these songs - in the back seat on the way to school.

Are you as equally horrified as me?  What can you do?  First, really listen to the songs we carelessly hum along.  When you find something offensive, speak up.  Do not buy the song. Tell others.  Write to the label company.  Companies respond when customers take action.  

My actions include immediately turning off the offensive song.  Never buying the song and possibly banning the artist.  Finally, make sure my kids know their bodies are beautiful and no catchy tune gives any man the right to hurt them. 

What are you going to do?

Sharon, The Mayor of Crazyville