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It's sad to see that a style is currently divided because the fans are too conservative to accept conservatives in the group
It's sad to see that a style is currently divided because the fans are too conservative to accept conservatives in the group
by Wendel Júnior, WikiBrother
With the debate between right and left becoming increasingly evident today thanks to the internet, various areas, including entertainment fields, end up being part of the discussions. Music, obviously, is no exception.
Fans of Heavy Metal, once associated with rebellion and opposition to any kind of rule, behavioral standard, or moralism, are currently divided between those who want to maintain the old libertarian mindset and those who, despite enjoying the music, are willing to adopt a more conservative philosophy of life. At this point, it's already possible to see the contradiction within the first group: despite calling conservatives "square" and "backward," they too are backward for trying to maintain the same mindset that Headbangers have had since the 1970s.
Another hypocrisy of rock fans is the fact that the right wing is seen as a model that stifles individual freedoms and censors opinions, when these same rock fans want to ridicule any opinion that goes against the old model of the rebellious headbanger and take away an individual's right to be a fan of a certain musical style and at the same time have an opinion different from the ideology preached in the lyrics. At these times, the progressive discourse about "open-mindedness" is completely forgotten. These rock fans, who constantly claim to fight against labels and prejudices, are extremely prejudiced and label those who think differently as "posers" and "fake rockers," while at the same time accusing the right wing and conservatives of always being intolerant.
The idea that the right wing is intolerant is already disproven by the very fact that there are so many conservative rock fans. How can someone be considered intolerant if they can be a fan of a musical style whose lyrics are extremely contrary to their own convictions, while still being able to respect such different opinions and enjoy what it offers (the melodies, harmonies, and technique of the musicians)? While conservatives are willing to accept and even become fans of something different, libertarian rock fans, instead of preaching freedom, feel offended and ridicule these people.
Since rock is freedom, why don't rock fans have the right to hold more right-leaning and conservative opinions? Perhaps someone will argue that the freedom advocated by rock goes against right-wing thinking, which tends to be fascist and defend a controlling state, but that's not quite the case. The right argues that a strong individual makes a strong state, while the left tends to be collectivist. While the former advocates more for individual freedom, the latter sees everything as always related to masses, where people are always one hundred percent dependent on each other—a concept that only works if everyone thinks exactly the same way and is equal in everything. Knowing even the slightest bit about human nature, it's possible to see that this only works in dreams.
At least in this aspect, the ideals of Metal connect more with the individual freedom preached by the right, unless one considers the possibility that everyone in the world finds Heavy Metal an attractive style. The very utopia of a united and charitable world where everyone lives in the same social class depends on an optimistic view of the character of human beings, something that is constantly disregarded by Heavy Metal bands since their inception, because they understand that human beings are inherently evil, and most of the time address the most despicable side of humanity in their lyrics. This idea fits perfectly with conservative thought, which, precisely because they recognize that humanity is flawed, argues that we need a moral code to keep us in line, often based on religions.
Since rock is freedom, why don't rock musicians have the right to hold opinions that lean more towards the right and conservatism?
Since rock is freedom, why don't rock musicians have the right to hold opinions that lean more towards the right and conservatism?
Of course, there have been several right-wing dictatorial regimes, marked by repression and the suppression of freedom of expression, but there have also been several left-wing regimes that were much harsher, more oppressive, and killed far more people (look up historical documents and facts and compare the number of victims).
Another topic that should be addressed in this discussion is the concept of rebellion. Rebellion can be healthy when it involves fighting against laws that don't favor us, rules of behavior that lack foundation, etc. In the past, men were frowned upon for having long hair, women were frowned upon for talking about sex and having orgasms, sex outside of marriage had to be hidden, tattoos were associated with criminals, being gay was almost like being an alien, talking about the devil in songs was seen as worshiping him, etc. Even Elvis's way of dancing was once considered indecent and censored, even though there was nothing wrong with it. Rebellion in these cases was healthy; people had logical and coherent reasons to fight. In fact, they had something to fight against. Rock played a fundamental role in this.
But when teenagers use rock music to reinforce their rebellious, aimless thinking, the style and all the serious struggles it helped to fight end up being ridiculed. Rebellion that aims only to break rules without logical reason, just to get attention or defend a chaotic society, can be quite dangerous. Defending abortion, gay kits in schools for children as young as six, drug legalization, or being against the police, is already crossing the line and ceasing to think.
It's also important to remember that in the past, when society in general had a more conservative mindset and political systems leaned more to the right, as for example during the Brazilian military regime, it made sense for all bands to be against right-wingers and conservatism. Currently, however, the left and libertarian thought dominate the mainstream media, dominate schools, and are defended by most intellectuals. Our country spent more than ten years under the government of an openly leftist party. Arguments in favor of the right have become taboo, and most intellectuals, artists, politicians, comedians, and any right-wing public figure are ignored, unknown, ridiculed, slandered, and have no space in the media. In this scenario, the rebellion of rock and the desire to be against the system and say what no one else dares to say makes much more sense if the rock musicians are right-wing and not the other way around. It's also important to remember that rock has always been against political correctness, a clear characteristic of the right. The polished discourse of the left, always afraid to be sincere so as not to offend anyone, where even jokes are grounds for lawsuits, doesn't fit in at all with Rock music.
While conservatives are willing to accept and even become fans of something different, libertarian rockers, instead of preaching freedom, feel offended and ridicule these people
While conservatives are willing to accept and even become fans of something different, libertarian rockers, instead of preaching freedom, feel offended and ridicule these people
Another product of leftism that has always been present in rock and has never ceased to be hypocritical is the constant criticism of capitalism, even though rock n' roll is the most capitalist musical genre that has ever existed.
It's also worth noting that many famous and respected Heavy Metal and Rock bands have neutral, non-partisan, or even slightly right-leaning lyrics, and many musicians are conservative despite their image as eccentrics. For example: Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden, Dave Mustaine of Megadeth, James Hetfield of Metallica, John Petrucci of Dream Theater, Tom Araya of Slayer, Roger of Ultraje a Rigor, Lobão, Elvis Presley, Johnny Ramone of the Ramones, Ted Nugent of the Amboy Dukes, Nando Moura of Pandora 101, etc.
In any case, regardless of anyone's political opinion, it's sad to see that a style that was pioneering in the 1950s for uniting whites and blacks in the same places because they shared a common taste, is currently divided because the fans are too conservative to accept conservatives in the group.
*This text was written by a Wikimate and does not necessarily represent the opinions of the site's authors.
