Everyone loves music. I believe that much is a given. With artists that range from Beethoven to Kendrick Lamar, there truly is something for everyone. I’ve yet to meet a person who has never felt moved by music. There are songs to remind you of every part of life. From childhood lullabies to the song played when you graduated – music makes us reminisce. Music can mend the soul, like that Taylor Swift song did during your first breakup. Just like that slow song makes you smile a little when you remember dancing your first slow dance to it. Whatever the story, whoever you are, everyone has a song that makes them smile.
This phenomenon is caused by very few things, so why is it all too often that people are teased for the music they listen to? We should promote a love for music and the self-expression that comes with it. However, all too often this self-expression is shamed by comments like “only weird people listen to that,” or “why do you like that stuff.” Girls are told they can’t listen to rock, and guys are told they can only listen to rap. It is comments and judgments like this that cause self-consciousness for others, and it is just plain wrong. Too often people are ridiculed for listening to “mainstream” pop music, or worse, music that isn’t popular enough. Isn’t that a catch 22? Damned if you do, and damned if you don’t. Why is it that you are taught to celebrate differences in others through race, religion, sexuality, hobbies and fashion, but when it comes to music if someone is different they are shunned?
So, please, let’s change our views on music. Let’s try looking at music for what is – an art. You wouldn’t tell a museum to take down a Picasso and replace it for a Rembrandt; you would marvel at both. I’m not saying you have to like all music. I’m not even saying you should try to listen to it all, but you do have to respect it. If you don’t like it, then don’t listen to it. It truly is that simple.
To everyone scared to listen to what you love: do whatever makes you happy and listen to whatever you want. To everyone who has ever made fun of someone else for their choice in music (or anything else for that matter): remember what you learned all those years ago in preschool – if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
Rock On.
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