This piece is adapted from my journal.

Judging from all the music-related art and journals that I’m sure we’ve all seen, it’s obvious that music is a very important part of the lives of many of dA’s users. Unfortunately, other very important (though unwelcome if not completely inappropriate) subjects that seem to appear just as much on dA member’s journals are open displays of prejudice.

It has come to my attention that a very alarming trend of using music as an excuse to justify prejudice is becoming very prominent on dA.

dA’s etiquette policy specifically states that dA is supposed to “ protect the members of the community, to the best of our abilities, from infringement of copyright, discrimination, harassment, and prejudice ” and that “Hate propaganda is met with zero tolerance” but it should be obvious that any form of prejudice is wrong; especially on an art site where individuality is encouraged. The fact that a form of art, music is being used as a springboard for prejudice is even more appalling.

Here are some things that dA members should keep in mind with regards to this issue:

1. There is a very good chance that your favourite bands are trying not trying to promote prejudice. Often, the very bands that are being used as excuses for intolerance are actually trying to promote survival, peace and a world without hate.

2. Religious band worship doesn’t help anyone; not the band and not the listener. The fact that so many are willing to but their favourite band before people they interact with every day can not lead to any good. As for those who use the media as an excuse, blindly defending the band publicly because of the media's attacks on it isn't going to change the media's opinion. In fact it'll just draw attention to the media. If you're a true fan, you'll just disregard the media and love the band quietly knowing that when the media's moved on to the next issue, you'll still be there


3. The “chav/emo” rivalry is a very prominent example of how people judge each other based on music. Prejudice against “chavs” is just as bad as prejudice against “emos.” Also, prejudice against religious people is just as bad as prejudice against people who aren't religious. Even if you’re a fan of religious or anti-religious music, that’s no excuse. All prejudice is bad, regardless of whom it's directed at.

4. Please realize the stereotypes that are associated with music—the stereotypes that all hip-hop fans enjoy sex and are members of gangs, that all “emo” fans are interested in self-injury and suicide, that all hard rock fans take drugs and enjoy violence, that all theater music fans are stuck up and aspire to sing on Broadway, etc.—are nothing more than simple stereotypes and are very often wrong.

Finally, I would like to stress yet again that music is a very important part of many people's lives (including mine) and that it often has an incredible effect on people. That doesn't by any means mean that you can use your music as an excuse for the things you do and the way you treat other people. This goes for fans of any genre of any kind. People take what they want to take from music. I just hope that people can understand enough about the world that the music addresses to take the right things from what probably has a good intent even if it's veiled.

Thank you very much for reading!