Connecticut is where I was born, raised and it is also where I was given my first opportunity to host a live radio show so needless to say my love runs deep. I have found myself in beautiful and charming Newtown, interacting with all the town’s wonderful residents on many occasions, including my two years on air on the greater Danbury area’s number 1 radio station. I’m personally haunted of images of that day and mental pictures of quiet, peaceful Newtown before. The horrible and preventable tragedy that occured on Friday has left the nation collectively broken hearted and struggling for solutions. My facebook newsfeed is filled with endless angry, frustrated statuses, chain posts and heated debates.
Tonight the discussion is on Ke$ha’s recent hit “Die Young” being pulled from rotation on a growing amount of radio stations. Having worked for one of the first stations that opted to no longer play it (and having worked at this same station when Chris Brown’s name and music was banned- which by the way is still banned despite Rihanna’s forgiveness) I can tell you most programs directors are merely using common decency and sensitivity to avoid causing any extra upset. I know I’d rather not be the radio personality who is expected to introduce or make that song title sound fun once every hour right now.
The chart topping song’s lyrics actually say “LIKE we’re gonna die young” and months ago Kesha discussed it’s message of ‘living everyday like it’s your last’ a seeminly positive message. With that said, it’s Ke$ha, this song like all her others is merely a fun smut anthem about partying and acting like a heaux. I am relieved she is not fighting this and has tweeted that she understands the decision. I’m hoping her tweets referring to being forced to sing these lyrics (although they are now missing from her timeline) are proof that at 25 years old she is ready to give up making vapid songs about reckless behavior (another cringe worthy song example with no substance off the same album is, “All That Matters (The Beautiful Life)”) and use her influence with impressionable young audiences to suggest integrity and valuing each other’s well-being as much as our own.
The families of those lost have released statements to the media in their dark time because they knew it was important to remind us that these were warm, compassionate and generous women and children that would have been the first to remind us we need to stand united, in love.
I urge everyone to stop pointing fingers and blame and instead start offering a helping hand.
We can not be consumed by our own family, for another child’s instability or depression could someday affect your own. Let us honor all those sweet babies and selfless caregivers that senselessly lost their lives by implementing a genuine concern for one another that will prevent future tragedies. We can use our observations and intuition to not let another child grow up so angry, destructive and hopeless feeling ever again. May we be on relentless look out for children and teenagers in turmoil or despair and speak up loudly to those that are in a position to help when we see someone in need of pyschiatric intervention. Let us teach a troublesome child a skill that will provide them with a purpose, an income, pride in their community and a promosing future of happiness. Open your arms and heart- do not assume someone else will. It’s time we all take responsibility for our role in the bigger picture, me, you and even Kesha.
Erica
@OnUrRadio_nMind
