rant:AMA/anyone else offended?

[lynetteSC]

I don't usually post critical things. I was just passing by the tv and noticed that a group was playing a musical set. (DH tells me it is group called OUTCAST.) I will be the first one to admit I am not a huge pop 40/hip hop music fan.

So, I was passing by tv and noticed the set this group was using. It was an airplane with his group logo/name on it. The musical instruments were set up on a CASKET with large floral sprays set all about.

Am I overreacting to think this is tad tacky/cruel? I am not sure if I am using proper words to decsribe my feelings ... ! I guess as an American I just took this the wrong way?

Ok, thanks for reading my vent.

 

[JoeThaNo1Stunna]

Yeah, you probably are overreacting, I see nothing wrong with it.

 

[Cruisin]

Were they at least properly clothed?
Some of those videos are pretty scary, mostly naked women and fully dressed men.

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

A casket?! Well, I do find that thing to be a bit tacky and cruel as well. Though maybe it's because I've dealt with a loss and therefore I'm overly sensitive over it all...

...but still, it's at no respect for people who have dealt with death. It's actually quite rude and disgusting.

Then again, I didn't see it, so I'm just going based on what you have described.

 

[TIGGERSMOM]

Nope not offended.

It may have gone with the song or theme of the performance. Didn't see it. But I do like Outkast.

 

[Margie J]

Sounds like the set they used on the Tonight Show recently. They had a green casket/keyboard surrounded by floral arrangements. The lead singer and his backup girls were dressed in green "tennis" outfits. That's Outkast for ya.

I'll have to watch the tape later since our local station is broadcasting the Patriots football game instead.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I suppose like many entertainers, they are looking to be different, stand out, be remembered. Some attempt that through shock, just being weird. Seems like it has always been that way. I know Elvis shocked my folks, Sinatra shocked theirs. The groups today shock me.

 

[Melora]

I was at the gym on Thursday doing the treadmill and I had my headphones listening to what I like to listen to but could see the music video playing on one of the moniters. I don't know who was singing but the whole thing just made me shake my head. There was a group of people (well OK gang of hooligans really) running through the street pushing people down in front of oncoming cars, being very violent, doing graffiti, destroying things. I know this is supposed to be "art" or "freedom of expression" but frankly it just lacked taste and judgement. I understand that every generation before has been shocked but it WILL get to the point (which I feel it has) that we should be offended by what is out there especially in the music world. I will not let my kids watch certain music videos and I know they see them elsewhere, but not in my house. We have reached a point where there isnt much further we can go... are we going to get to the point where we watch people being murdered in music videos, or raped or something along those lines and think nothing of it? Saying "Well its just todays music??" As I was saying, YES previous generations HAVE been offended by music, (shaking the hips, talking about sex, etc) but we've gotten to the point where there actually IS content that should be thought twice about. Getting too complacent about some of these things just isn't a good idea. How far will we have to go to "shock" the public and be remembered?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by Melora
.........but it WILL get to the point (which I feel it has) that we should be offended by what is out there especially in the music world...............but we've gotten to the point where there actually IS content that should be thought twice about. Getting too complacent about some of these things just isn't a good idea. How far will we have to go to "shock" the public and be remembered?

I so agree, Melora. I fully agree. We have cable TV here, used to have the premium channels. First we cancelled Showtime, then Cinemax, then HBO, all too crude for our tastes. I can't cancel MTV, but is is never on when I am around. My 'kids' are in their early and mid 20's, both full adults, but both still living here at home. They know better than to have that garbage on when I am around. If they want to watch their R rated movies, virtually all of which are too much for me, they go to their rooms, close the doors and watch them there on their DVD or VCR. They are old enough to do as they please, as long as it does not infringe on my attitudes, whatever those may be.

I fully agree that the levels of acceptability are constantly being lowered and compromised, to our mutual, long term detriment. JMO.

 

[depplyinluv]

i think you may have been overreacting just a tad. I mean at least there was no nudity or bad words in their song!

and if you watch the real music video of outkast's "hey yaa" theres nothing wrong in it.


jmo

 

[holycow]

I fully concur with Dan and Melora!

Holycow

 

[Pebblszzz]

I concur with Melora (thanks for saving me all that typing) and Dan.

This is one of the many reasons why I almost never watch TV anymore. Well, that - and the cable bill!

My heart goes out to all parents. I don't have kids, but these days it seems raising them in this "environment" has got to be a pretty tough challenge.

On the flip side, when I went to a new church yesterday, I was overwhelmed by the number of teens in the congregation. And they came alone, without their parents. They weren't just there, they were singing their little hearts out. Would've made me proud if they were mine.

I've also noticed a change in teen's attitudes these days (compared to 10 yrs ago). Aside from wearing their britches so low you can see pretty much all their boxers, they seem to have more respect than kids did "back when".

A very nice fellow with a tennis shoe in his hand knocked on my window in traffic yesterday looking for donations for his wrestling team (who was also having a car wash, but I was in a rush), and I gave him all the change I had handy.

Keep it up, kids!

 

[BedKnobbery2]

Caskets & themes about death are nothing new in rock & roll...think Alice Cooper or Ozzy Osbourne!

 

[caitycaity]

i was not offended.

if you don't like something, don't watch it.

 

[Pebblszzz]

I concur with CaityCaity.

Pretty much anything these days is going to be offensive to SOMEBODY out there.

We just have to pick & choose what we like, and ignore the rest!

For the record, I'm not offended easily, and wouldn't have been by the video you described. However, I would have most likely reached for the remote and changed the channel.

To each his own! (or her...)

 

[lynetteSC]

Originally posted by caitycaity
i was not offended.

if you don't like something, don't watch it.

Don't worry ~ I did change the channel!

I know there is alot of violence/etc in movies and music today. VERY scary. Can't imagine what it will be like within next 20 years!

I guess my feeling is ... I know it has been 2 years since 9/11 but, have some of us already forgotten the plane crashes and losses we suffered?!?!!?

 

[JoeThaNo1Stunna]

I see no relation at all between Outkast and 9/11. That's ludicrous.

The caskets were part of the set, no big deal. That was a non-violent, non-offensive, good song.

Death is a part of life anyway.

That someone would be offended by this, tells me how oversensitive our society.

Go head Big Boi and Andre 3000.

 

[TIGGERSMOM]

I agree with some of thtrend toward dumbing down or sexing up of America. But that is where parental locks are wonderful.

Mine are now 18 & 19 so they are pretty well cooked so the can choose for themselves now. But when my son was younger I had locks set on all the cable boxes, you need a code to watch anything you specify as too much. So I could enjoy the adult (no not that kind of adult) shows and know my son couldn't get in to them.

Most artist these days do 2 versions of CD's, one with all the lyrics out there and one that is kid friendly. You can find them mostly at WalMart.

BTW Outkast has the casket in the video too, it is just green and in the background so it blends in a little more.

 

[MAC3]

I watched the Wizard of Oz!

 

[Liz]

Very little of today's music appeals to me. I think they were just trying to stir things up and get noticed. It really doesn't make me notice people like that though, I just turn it off.