The Link Between Music and Violence Against Women

A standing ovation to Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez for writing Calendar’s first intelligent article about rock and rap music in recent memory (“Is Music Issuing a Call to Violence?,” June 26). Finally someone has acknowledged that vile, abusive, sexually assaultive lyrics might contribute to similar behavior after reverberating day after day within vacant young male skulls.

This article should be reprinted whenever Robert Hilburn or one of The Times’ other junior high school students pays homage to “artists” such as Eminem who loudly and profitably defecate in public. I dare this newspaper to send a normal adult to review one of their concerts. I double-dare it to print the lyrics of their CDs so that a larger audience might ponder what is being repeatedly unleashed upon our female citizenry.

PAUL C. REISSER

Thousand Oaks

I’ve watched with increasing apprehension over the past 20 years or so as women have been made into increasingly more vulnerable targets by the music industry, the movie industry and the fashion industry. It appears that the bulk of the men in this country felt so threatened by the giant steps toward equality and independence women have made that they chose to lash out with anger rather than encouragement.

Women have reacted by becoming even more independent, opting for alternative lifestyles less dependent on men, such as single parenthood, to gain control of their lives, and men have reacted with increasing anger to assert themselves. I concur with Valdes-Rodriguez’s article that “in the U.S., it seems, a man’s worth is now directly linked to his ability to oppress women,” and I would add, to discredit their accomplishments, with certain laudable exceptions.

VIRGINIA MARIPOSA DALE

Santa Barbara

The attackers of the New York women bear the full brunt of the blame. They committed the acts. They were responsible. To blame the entertainment industry is mistaken.

One example given is Dr. Dre’s newest music video. In it, a stripper is sprayed with alcohol, which makes her clothing translucent if not transparent. Now, let’s examine this: A stripper (somebody who chose and is paid to take off her clothes) is sprayed with liquids (very common at spring breaks worldwide). Not only is this probably something the stripper expected, it is something she chose to do. The women in Central Park were attacked--no choice was given. Nowhere in the video is the woman attacked.

And Eminem makes it very clear on his album “The Slim Shady LP” that people should not do what he says in his music. His interviews have all made the point that his music is his outlet for his feelings, not his real beliefs nor his actions.

Let us not blame music. Instead, blame those despicable cretins who felt the need to harm others.

ANTHONY GURAVITZ-SHAW

Carpinteria

Thank you for telling the truth about the hateful, violent lyrics aimed at women in rap and rock music. All along I have believed that these woman-hating messages would eventually influence men to assault women (the New York incident). I realize that these so-called artists have the 1st Amendment on their side, but now is the time to have a national discussion about sexual assault and sexual harassment. Women and girls are under siege!

As an African American woman, I have often complained about the scantily clad women represented in rap videos. These models, musicians and producers associated with these projects really need to think about the messages they are sending to young men and women. Our daughters deserve a better future.

MISTY HOLAN-VUKOTICH

Los Angeles

I do not believe that the music industry is purposely trying to modify our behavior; they are simply trying to enrich themselves while giving very little thought to the larger consequences of their actions. But their product does pave the way for behavior change in a certain segment of the population, and the change is dangerous.

The “artists” worshiped by the young masses are free to act out their basest fantasies and are encouraged to continue, as long as they generate income. What a non-surprise that violence follows them and spreads among us.

SCOTT KNECHT

Chino

Is this “article” supposed to be anything more than male-bashing racism? The author refers to all sorts of statistics and offers the reader no citations by which he can verify the accuracy of this writer’s claims. Moreover, her entire “argument” is a loose collection of post hoc, ergo propter hoc fallacies in which she blames men for all the world’s problems.

STEVEN D. IMPARL

Chicago

Movies are equally responsible for degrading women. Most of the dialogue in “M:I-2” that is directed toward poor ole Thandie Newton, either in her presence or in reference to her, is misogynistic, and let’s not forget the current “Road Trip.” Like in music, the list is endless.

Where are Thelma and Louise when we need ‘em?

NANCY ROSENBLUM

Los Angeles

Valdes-Rodriguez pinpoints the problem but doesn’t offer much in the way of concrete solutions. Tell the record producers to stop this violent rhetoric? Not while a buck is to be made, I fear. Do these little male terrorists have any male role models who can get through to them, or are the role models also guilty of the same hatred and violence? It’s a terrifying prospect for women in our society, and for any men who care about them.

MARGO KLINE

Santa Barbara

Valdes-Rodriguez frames these reprehensible acts primarily as male assaults on women’s rights caused by the violent imagery in pop music. While it is debatable that any music can cause such behavior, it is very likely that modern popular music, especially rap, can exacerbate it.

However, she conveniently ignores any female responsibility for these actions. While I in no way condone any manner of assault even were a woman to walk public streets naked, would it be foolish of her to do so? Absolutely. Many young women today wear some of the most revealing, skimpy, provocative clothing imaginable. To dress like that at a large, drunken bash is beyond stupidity.

Also, although it is rarely discussed publicly, it is commonly known that many women, especially among the young party crowd, are highly attracted to rude, obnoxious, macho “bad boys.” Would the number of incidents, such as that in Central Park, be drastically decreased if more women were attracted to sensitive, cultured, intelligent, “nice” guys and encouraged such behavior in men? I think so.

JEFF STEVENS

Tarzana

If the recording industry doesn’t start exercising their responsibility, then the government might, and that would be a sad thing for all of our eroding rights.

KENNETH FOWLER

Rancho Palos Verdes