Eminem says, “You’re the parent. Be a Parent.”

Here is the 13 minute interview with Eminem that aired on Sunday October 10th, 2010 from 60 minutes. (Just a warning… still not suitable for young children. )

I have a confession to make.  I listen to at least 5 Eminem songs every week.  I listen to them before I play basketball.  I listen before I go to work.  I’m a fan of his beats, his style of rap, and I’m even a fan of his perspective.  I’m not a fan of his language, his crudeness, or his view on women and I have to skip a lot of songs because of that.  I’m not a fan of all of his songs but I would consider myself a fan.  I’ve followed him for years because he keeps me up to date on the pulse of our culture that I find fascinating.

Perspective is a wonderful thing.  We must be willing to look at life from other people’s perspective or we will never be able to reach them.  I’m not saying we become who they are but we must understand who they are.  Even Eminem knows this and has made a lot of money doing it.  Sure he raps a lot about his life but he doesn’t let you in to who he really is.  His songs are his “art”.  It is only a picture of who he wants you to see.  That picture is what sells.  Notice though that he doesn’t bring that picture home.  He knows better.

The phrase, “Your the parent. Be a parent” should ring in your ears.  It’s our job to be the parent.  We don’t have any excuses and must take responsibility.  That’s the message coming from a kid, Eminem, who knows what life is like when you don’t have parents who influence you.  The result many times is an “art” that many find distasteful.

What did you think of the interview?  Do you see where Eminem is coming from?