fandomsecrets | [ SECRET POST #2620 ]

⌈ Secret Post #2620 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

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02.

[My Mad Fat Diary]

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03.

[Stargate Atlantis]

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04.

[Andromeda]

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05.

[True Detective]

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06.

[Samurai Flamenco]

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07.

[Star Trek: DS9]

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08.

[Supernatural]

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[Wild Adapter]

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10.

[The Bletchley Circle]

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11. [ns]

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12.

[Junior Prom - Prelinger Archives Video]

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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 01 pages, 015 secrets from Secret Submission Post #374.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 1 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

So I just read this post about how the song "Royals" is racist, and I'm just like "What? How?" Is this just SJW stuff or a legitimate argument? Can anybody else give me something on this?

I think it's just SJW personally. I seem to recall that the gist of the argument was that when she references "gold teeth" and "Cadillacs" and "Cristal" champagne in her song, she's unfavourably referencing black rappers.

I've never been able to figure out WHY people presume it's referencing black rappers? Until I'd heard the so-called racist kerfuffle about it, I'd never realized that only black rappers drive Cadillacs, while swilling Cristal champagne with their gold teeth. I thought rich people in general drove Cadillacs. Likewise the champagne. And gold teeth? TACKY rich people.

But I'm not American, so what do I know?

Here is the link: http://markdoesstuff.tumblr.com/post/78014983939/markunator-markdoesstuff-markunator
The guy saying it doesn't even have a good argument and doesn't bother to explain anything. Typically SJW tactics.

The thing is that yeah, it's true that rich people of all kinds drink champagne and drive Cadillacs - but it's also true that there's a very specific cultural image of black rappers drinking Cristal and driving Maybachs or Cadillacs and wearing fancy jewelry as bling. It's extremely disingenuous to deny that these popular cultural images of rappers exist and that people play to them. It's like saying, "Well, everyone thinks fried chicken and watermelon are delicious, so I don't see what's racist about saying that black people like fried chicken and watermelon." Those ideas are absolutely out there.

Like, if you don't think it's present in the song, that's one thing. I think it's reasonable to say that's one of the things that she's talking about in the song. She's talking about representations of wealth in popular culture, and as part of that, she's referencing those images about rap music. I think it's there but maybe less an element of the song than people are making it out to be - it's about wealth in general. And you don't have to think the song is racist, I don't think it's really racist - kind of dumb and not especially insightful but what do you expect from a 16 year old. But come on the idea that there's no stereotypes out there about rappers driving Mercedes, wearing bling, drinking cristal? Come on.

She's only 16? Damn, I feel old.

yeah she's turned 17 now but she was 16 when Royals broke.

I thought she looked late twenties.

I'm willing to say that these may be stereotypes about rappers; I'd also say that, not being American, I was entirely unaware that these stereotypes existed. So it's a stereotype that flew completely over my head. Can't answer for Lorde, obviously, but the idea that "everyone knows who that's referencing" (which was in one of the online articles I read) - no, everyone really does NOT know.

She's talking about representations of wealth in popular culture, and as part of that, she's referencing those images about rap music. I think it's there but maybe less an element of the song than people are making it out to be - it's about wealth in general.

Exactly. Parts of the song made me think of rappers, but she also references other things that make me think of entirely different groups of people, e.g.:

"trashing the hotel room" = rock stars
"jet planes, islands, tigers on a gold leash" = the jet-set scions of billionaires
"bloodstains, ballgowns" = not sure, but I guess I kind of think of Real Housewives/The Hills-type reality shows
"royals" = actual royalty, e.g. Will and Kate

I assumed she was singing about her personal experiences being bombarded by these images of a level of wealth that she didn't have and didn't think she ever would, and how she felt about that. Her experience is valid and she has every right to express it, even if involves referencing specific groups of people. I also think this experience is a common one around the world and we shouldn't be afraid to talk about it.

I do think there are stereotypes of rappers in the song, but there are also stereotypes about other groups in the lyrics and the song isn't exactly negative towards anyone. She's not saying it's bad to be rich or to mention expensive things in rap songs (or elsewhere). She's just saying "I'm constantly being told how rich you are, but I don't give a shit about your wealth." It's a real stretch to say that's racist.

+1 yes, it seems like its about rich people in general and their wacky hijinks. it's a stretch to call it racist but some people are just looking to be offended

[ SECRET POST #2620 ]

Lorde is racist?

Re: Lorde is racist?

Re: Lorde is racist?

Re: Lorde is racist?

Re: Lorde is racist?

Re: Lorde is racist?

Re: Lorde is racist?

Re: Lorde is racist?

Re: Lorde is racist?

Re: Lorde is racist?