Tegan and Sara's problem is not that they are either lesbians nor that they're women, but that their music sucks. And their problem with the following condemnation isn't simply that they have no idea who Tyler, the Creator, that they take the 19 year old kids masturbating fear of women completely out of any musical context, or even that they hit the wrong enemy (Surely a middle aged billionaire serial seducer like Kanye West is where their ire should be)., but that they misunderstand rock and roll woman hating. Why should Lennon get away with "Run For Your Life" or Presley with "Let's Play House" (same line: "I'd rather see you dead little girl then to see you with another man")? Why go after Tyler?
Look: bad politics is not the same as bad art. I had nothing against "17 N—— Heads In A Freezer" as a subject matter., I mean, surely it is so over the top it speaks for itself? I haven't really read any Tyler, the Creator reviews or interviews but the album is not hate mongering. It is a confused mess of teenager fuckedupness. Remember teenagers? They are rock and rolls target audience. It isn't glorifying seduction the way Jay-Z did throughout his entire career. I love early Jay-Z but gimme a break. Tyler, the creator? get the fuck outta here. What gutless bullshit.
As far as Tyler being on magazine covers, trust me there is a reason for that..
I got this off brooklynvegan.com who got it off Tegan And Sara's website and print it in its entirety.
A Call for Change
When will misogynistic and homophobic ranting and raving result in meaningful repercussions in the entertainment industry? When will they be treated with the same seriousness as racist and anti-Semitic offenses? While an artist who can barely get a sentence fragment out without using homophobic slurs is celebrated on the cover of every magazine, blog and newspaper, I’m disheartened that any self-respecting human being could stand in support with a message so vile.
As journalists and colleagues defend, excuse and congratulate ‘Tyler, the Creator,’ I find it impossible not to comment. In any other industry would I be expected to tolerate, overlook and find deeper meaning in this kid’s sickening rhetoric? Why should I care about this music or its “brilliance” when the message is so repulsive and irresponsible? There is much that upsets me in this world, and this certainly isn’t the first time I’ve drafted an open letter or complaint, but in the past I’ve found an opinion – some like-minded commentary – that let me rest assured that my outrage, my voice, had been accounted for. Not this time.
If any of the bands whose records are held in similar esteem as Goblin had lyrics littered with rape fantasies and slurs, would they be labeled hate mongers? I realize I could ask that question of DOZENS of other artists, but is Tyler exempt because people are afraid of the backlash? The inevitable claim that detractors are being racist, or the brush-off that not “getting it” would indicate that you’re “old” (or a faggot)? Because, the more I think about it, the more I think people don’t actually want to go up against this particular bully because he’s popular. Who sticks up for women and gay people now? It seems entirely uncool to do so in the indie rock world, and I’ll argue that point with ANYONE.
No genre is without its controversial and offensive characters- I’m not naive. I’ve asked myself a thousand times why this is pushing me over the edge. Maybe it’s the access to him (his grotesque twitter, etc). Maybe it’s because I’m a human being, both a girl and a lesbian. Maybe it’s because my mom has spent her whole adult life working with teenage girls who were victims of sexual assault. Maybe it’s because in this case I don’t think race or class actually has anything to do with his hateful message but has EVERYTHING to do with why everyone refuses to admonish him for that message.
It is not without great hesitation and hand wringing that I enter into the discourse about Tyler, the media who glorifies and excuses misogyny and homophobia, and the community of artists that doesn’t seem remotely bothered by it. I can only hope that someone reading this might be inspired to speak out. At the very least, I will know that my voice is on record.