The propagandist’s purpose is to make one set of people forget that certain other sets of people are human.
-Aldous Huxley
Aldous Huxley was not referring to any specific partisan side, or group when he gave us this powerful preceding statement. He was, as is made quite clear upon a closer analysis, referring to “the propagandist”; a term that may be understood as completely apolitical.
In modern times; each click of the on button to our televisions allows us to have, in my own opinion, a front row seat to view the propagandist’s clever work. Realistically our news media contains the largest amount of propagandist contamination, yet that fact is not meant to promote the idea that all other channels are not infected with elements of what can only be described as a variation of mind-control.
You see, although recent jabs at media outlets by our new president have been widely covered in the news and even condemned on many occasions; there is more than just “fake news” at play here folks.
Propaganda does not deceive people; it merely helps them to deceive themselves.
-Eric Hoffer
The truth is that many things we would otherwise never even think to perceive as propaganda, is ultimately the most powerful form of propaganda. Whether it is in comedy, like SNL, or music, or any other art form, there is a message being conveyed to the masses watching from their couches. It is quite subtle in it’s nature, often even coming with a chuckle, but make no mistake my friends; this is a very powerful elixir of mind-altering programming. When we are unconsciously made to create certain connections, mental links between, something as innocent as laughter, and an idea, political or not; well, then clearly there is an underlining factor of the propagandist’s work in the mix.
We as humans are pre-programmed to like feeling good, to enjoy happiness, and frankly to find whatever allows us to experience such emotional responses, as right or good.
Many propaganda programs of the past worked quite well in doing the exact opposite of that, and consequently have presently become infamous with the evils of propaganda itself. This kind of negative fear-mongering, used by the likes of many a evil 20th century regime(Hitler, Stalin, etc.), have not vanished from the scene, and are still widely implemented across the globe, including here in the U.S..
In truth however, it has now been joined by a new style of thought control. A system which allows an unsuspecting dumbfuck to actually believe that he has himself reached, whatever conclusion has been steadily spoon fed to him, all on his own. Yes, incredible, perhaps hard to believe, but true nonetheless.
This goes similarly with music, such as rap in recent decades. I myself, am guilty of enjoying my jams on the daily. Yet let’s take a step back from our world, and observe from a specter form, if you will.
Hip-Hop may seem to be empowering to a good many people, especially amongst the African-American community. Is it really though? Those which seem to take offence from the scene’s use of verbal profanities is one thing, and, in my opinion largely irrelevant; however there is a deeper story here as well. The rap industry has built itself upon the Thug Life, for lack of a better term, and with it, implemented a wide-range of new social norms. Some quite casual, like the normalization of using the word bitches to describe women, even between women. Others more detrimental, like influencing young, in most cases black, Americans to do a wide range of drugs, sexual promiscuity, commit theft, murder, gun violence, develop a powerful hatred of law-enforcement, and various other truly bad social behaviors. This has ultimately resulted in an already fragile, economically deprived black community, to break even further. On a wider scale, American society in general has been effected as well. Family values have been dealt a crushing blow, innocence in the youth has all but vanished, and many of the detrimental social tendencies listed above, have actually steadily become social norms.
How?
It’s simple really. The music makes me feel fuckin’ good damn it, it’s got a beat, a dope melody, and the lyrics are provocative. Yet eventually, the lyrics become a reality. In saying that I don’t mean one goes and holds up a liquor store after listening to a rap song, because quite honestly…that would be retarded. I mean in a very subtle way we don’t even realize. In many ways, rap has even effected race-relations in a big way. It doesn’t take much of a genius to understand that rap music, with all of it’s lyrics and meanings, has painted a picture of black communities for white suburban America; and it ain’t a good folks.
