Reggaetón & Trap Drive Domestic violence
I’ll start by stating the obvious; the lyrics are the problem, not the rhythm. The catchy Reggaetón/Trap beat is unfortunately attached to lyrics that basically describe women as objects to be used (mainly for sexual pleasure). And they are percieved as disposable objects once they’ve been used.
Studies show that music can impact behaviors. There are many studies that demonstrate the link between media content and societal behavior.
I experienced one side of that spectrum (thankfully the good side) when I worked in Portugal for a few months. While there I noticed that TV programming was very bland, almost childish. You couldn’t get action movies on broadcast TV until after 11 pm. I also noticed the jokes my work partners made were also a bit childish.
Then one night at Porto, they were to celebrate the eve of Saint John (which we also celebrate in Puerto Rico). Since downtown Porto was at walking distance from the hotel I was staying at, I asked if it was safe to walk to downtown at night. “Oh yes, don’t worry, it’s safe” was the answer I got. Incredulous, I asked other people, and always got the same response.
And indeed, it was safe. That’s when I made the connection. No Violence in TV, people behave with prudence, and its a safe environment.
Reggaetón /Trap , unfortunately, is full women derogatory songs. Their popular and highly viral music videos are part of the problem. And I have no doubt that this shapes the domestic violence behavior in top of what has traditionally been a “machista” society.
Why is anyone surprised in the increase of gender violence when one of the most popular musical genre is full of lyrics that denigrate women?
Nobody willing to Crack this Nut
With the recent high profile women deaths in Puerto Rico, everyone is up in arms about attacking the problem. Politicians (quick to take advantage of a popular issue), community groups, newspaper editorials, they are all demanding something be done about it.
But, instead of looking for the root cause of the problem, they prefer to put lipstick on the pig, thinking that would make it look pretty.
No one wants to point the finger at the problem, because there’s too much money involved. The Reggaetón/Trap genre is generating billions of dollars. It’s an industry within the music industry.
Who’s going to fight the 500 pound gorilla and its accompanying lobbyists and mafiosos?
You won’t find anyone with the balls to do that. Instead, they’ll propose passing legislation that no one will enforce.
Until we, yes all of us, start taking the bull by the horns, the problem will persist.
I don’t believe those that act as if they were horrified about this problem, but aren’t willing to face the problem head on.
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