Spring Break
University cranks out poor concert decisions
CHRIS CHIEGO
Issue date: 4/7/09 Section: Opinions
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It seems like University Union is going out of its way to promote a Neanderthal-like attitude toward women on campus, following up on its T-Pain extravaganza by foisting a "free" Soulja Boy concert on the student body.
Let's get this out of the way quickly: Soulja Boy's services are not free.
His performance this Thursday is being financed by a tax placed on all students (student activity fees), whether you care to "Crank that Roosevelt" or not.
And this time we're not paying for just any "performer," but quite possibly the most anti-intellectual misogynist ever to set foot on campus.
"Report Card," a classic Soulja Boy track, encapsulates the academic excellence our University hopes to inculcate into all its students: "You know when U just get your report card/And you have all F's on it/ U just wanna take it back to the teacher and say/ To throw some D's on that bitch!"
Clearly, Soulja Boy deserves a gentleman's D in all his classes for his efforts to destroy the English language and disrespect his teachers.
Mr. Soulja Boy is not only a scholar, but an enlightened commentator on women's rights, as proven by the lyrics in his hit single, "Crank That."
His world appears to be populated by "Hos" with whom he enjoys performing various actions, including the "Superman" (See Urban Dictionary for definition). He also asks his listeners to, "Watch me crank dat Roosevelt/Then super soak that ho." I'll leave the mental image of what "super soaking" is up to you, but suffice to say it doesn't involve plastic water guns.
Finally, Soulja Boy is also, "Jocking on yo bitch ass/And if we get the fightin/Then I'm cocking on your bitch," which might make for a fine psychological study in anger management (or lack thereof), but again is probably not appropriate for a University campus.
If Soulja Boy wants to come to Athens and put on a concert at a private venue, that's more than fine with me. Let him sell tickets like any other performer and let the free market do its work. Let him enjoy the right to freedom of speech while I enjoy my right to ignore him.
But to tax students and force us to pay for a depraved misogynist is beyond comprehension.
Furthermore, since this event is sponsored by the Committee for Black Cultural Programming, is Soulja Boy supposed to represent black culture? If so, I'm not sure that this character is the best choice.
We do not need Soulja Boy here. His performance will do nothing to improve our campus environment and will do far more to perpetuate stereotypes and disrespect toward women.
The University must cancel this "performance" and return the money the University is spending on Soulja Boy to the students.
I'm sure we'll find a far better use for our hard-earned cash than paying for someone to "super soak that ho."
- Chris Chiego is a senior from Memphis, Tenn. majoring in international affairs and history.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 53
David
posted 4/07/09 @ 9:11 AM EST
Relax.
Nick
posted 4/07/09 @ 10:25 AM EST
As a linguistics major, I should point out that your allegation of his attempting to "destroy the English language" is ridiculous, unscientific, and ethnocentric. (Continued…)
Phillip Brettschneider
posted 4/07/09 @ 11:18 AM EST
Nick, I am a strong feminist and way too far left to be characterized as reactionary.
I am also against our university subsidizing misogyny. There are plenty of clever and capable artists we could certainly invite to campus; if it is a matter of race, there are certainly a number of brilliant artists of color that could showcase the amazing ethnic and subcultural developments in American music. (Continued…)
Freddie
posted 4/07/09 @ 12:23 PM EST
Sounds like Chiego needs a kiss through the phone.
Tiffany
posted 4/07/09 @ 12:26 PM EST
If the students of the University are listening to Soulja Boy and taking the words to heart, they have a lot more problems than will be addressed by kicking out some pre-pubescent ghetto-fab wanna-be thug from Legion Field. (Continued…)
Austin
posted 4/07/09 @ 1:09 PM EST
Granted I wish we could go back to the days when Outkast would perform at least once a year, the fact remains that soulja boy is whats hot right now and he's going to pack out legion field not only with students but with paying "non-students" also. (Continued…)
Jaiah
posted 4/07/09 @ 1:23 PM EST
First thank you Chris.
Second I'm not gonna lie. "Kiss Me Thru the Phone" and "Turn My Swad On" is my shit. But the $146 I pay every year in Student Activities Fees should NOT be going to Soulja Boy. (Continued…)
Caleb
posted 4/07/09 @ 1:43 PM EST
I'm pretty sure that regardless of who is chosen, people will have a problem. Not everyone is going to be happy with any one artist. If you have a problem contact the University Union and try and get them to choose an artist you like. (Continued…)
L
posted 4/07/09 @ 1:55 PM EST
I love Caleb's entry. If you are not happy with the events being brought to the University, then get involved. Do not just whine about in the paper. University Union is programming board comprised of students. (Continued…)
Robert
posted 4/07/09 @ 4:03 PM EST
While some of the assertions in the article are reaching, the encompassing argument is correct. Soulja Boy?? Really?? I firmly believe that >95% of the student population would rather have a different act. (Continued…)
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