“Ew! I cannot believe you listen to their music!” This phrase pervades the bustling halls and crammed cloak rooms of Stone Ridge. Judgment of musical preference is a recurring issue within the senior lounge, the library, and the community at large.
Everyone enjoys good music. The melodious combination of instruments and vocals possesses the power to unite people, to transcend differences and instead form a harmonious bond.
Despite music’s unifying ability, song is often a personal experience. People turn to particular artists in happiness, in sorrow, or when they just feel like dancing; some artists make them sing (or screech) at the top of their lungs and dance around their cluttered bedroom without a care in the world. As such, when someone judges them for liking one of their favorite artists “it cuts deep,” says Liv Anderson, ’16.
SaRena Coleman, ’16, “definitely think[s] that music shaming is a problem in our community. Many people do not like One Direction, and if they see you listening to the band they [might] criticize you.” Victims of music shaming often listen to mainstream pop music. “Some of the music that I have been judged for listening to is by One Direction, 5 Seconds of Summer, Justin Bieber, and Nick Jonas. All make good music and are beautiful individuals,” Coleman says.
Perhaps people who judge feel that their musical preference is superior to others. Of course, that subjective feeling of superiority does not grant the right to judge the music that makes another person happy.
Someone can be judged for any type of music, but particular artists are especially victimized by music shaming; Justin Bieber, an international pop star with millions and millions of adoring fans, is one such artist. Many have experienced and are not proud of that Belieber phase in Middle School, but continue to show support for America’s favorite Canadian and are chastised by their peers. “Everyone makes fun of me on a daily basis for liking Justin Bieber,” Anderson says, “I mean it doesn’t actually hurt [my feelings], because my love for him is so strong, but I do believe that everyone is entitled to their opinions and choices.”
Music shaming comes in other forms, including judgment of band t-shirts. Clothing stores, such as Forever 21 and H&M, sell t-shirts or muscle tees with rock or heavy metal band logos on them. The Forever 21 website suggests that customers flaunt a Guns n Roses tank “around town with your cutoffs, skinnies, or even your skater skirts for a flirty take.” These stores create such shirts with fashionable intention, as they often have a cool vintage vibe. The shirts are not sold as band merchandise, but are simply a stylistic choice. The shirt wearers may not even like the band; if wearers do like the band, they have a great conversation starter.
We must attempt to foster positive musical conversations rather than negative, music shaming ones. “Don’t make people feel bad about the music they listen to just because you have a different musical preference,” says Coleman. Instead of insulting someone’s favorite artist, take the opportunity to learn about a new musician you might not have yet discovered. “I think our community is pretty diverse and accepts people’s differences, but we could work on the commentary because music is different for everyone,” Anderson says.
In practicing Goal IV, the building of community as a Christian value, the next time someone mentions enjoying an artist or a band that you do not, instead of denouncing their music taste, ask them about it. If you don’t know the artist or band that person mentions, consider it an opportunity to expand your musical horizons.
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