Since Monday will mark a momentous day in world and U.S. history as we honor MLK Day, I contend that Eminem's “Darkness” lyrics and song contain major social justice themes as well. Like MLK sought to achieve in his iconic writings and speeches, I feel that Eminem’s lyrics are also advocacy-based for us to vote. His song definitely epitomizes the harsh reality of mass shootings, mental health struggles, addictions, and other major themes that we must battle more proactively.
As divisive as politics themselves, many critics feel that his lyrics in this song actually glorify or condone gun violence, but I infer that his allusions to the Vegas shooting show us that there is a major problem to address when he summons,
“Feels like I'm loathing in Las Vegas
Haven't got the vaguest why I'm so lost
But I'd make you this small wager
If I bet you I'll be in tomorrow's paper
Who would the odds favor?”
As MLK recalled with his own personal experiences with racism in America and the world, it also seems like Eminem is further depicting some of his own personal demons with mental health struggles, alcohol, and addiction when he admits,
“I'm so much like my father, you would think that I knew him
I keep pacin' this room, Valium, then chase it with booze…”
As we move toward MLK Day next week, let’s agree to disagree on political candidates but pause to understand the brutal picture of American and global “darkness” to allow music to be the wakeup call that we all need ensure that MLK’s dream doesn’t become a recurrent nightmare.
Since Monday will mark a momentous day in world and U.S. history as we honor MLK Day, I contend that Eminem's “Darkness” lyrics and song contain major social justice themes as well. Like MLK sought to achieve in his iconic writings and speeches, I feel that Eminem’s lyrics are also advocacy-based for us to vote. His song definitely epitomizes the harsh reality of mass shootings, mental health struggles, addictions, and other major themes that we must battle more proactively.
As divisive as politics themselves, many critics feel that his lyrics in this song actually glorify or condone gun violence, but I infer that his allusions to the Vegas shooting show us that there is a major problem to address when he summons,
“Feels like I'm loathing in Las Vegas Haven't got the vaguest why I'm so lost But I'd make you this small wager If I bet you I'll be in tomorrow's paper Who would the odds favor?”
As MLK recalled with his own personal experiences with racism in America and the world, it also seems like Eminem is further depicting some of his own personal demons with mental health struggles, alcohol, and addiction when he admits,
“I'm so much like my father, you would think that I knew him I keep pacin' this room, Valium, then chase it with booze…”
As we move toward MLK Day next week, let’s agree to disagree on political candidates but pause to understand the brutal picture of American and global “darkness” to allow music to be the wakeup call that we all need ensure that MLK’s dream doesn’t become a recurrent nightmare.