Do Words Hurt: A Guide for Discussing Eminem and the Grammys with Students"

NEW YORK -- Eminem's controversial lyrics are the subject of a new classroom discussion guide released today by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, or GLSEN, the leading national organization fighting anti-gay bias in America's schools. The 21-page lesson plan, "Do Words Hurt? A Guide for Discussing Eminem and the Grammy's with Students," will be used by middle school and high school educators to address the use of anti-gay epithets in schools by exploring the impact of violence and hate lyrics in popular music. "When the lines between epithets and art or hate and humor are blurred, it is critically important for educators to promote open and honest discussion among youth," stated GLSEN Executive Director Kevin Jennings. "Instead of calling for censorship, GLSEN is calling on educators to help students analyze Eminem's messages and consider the impact his words have on their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender classmates."

Though discussions about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and themes are largely absent in America's classrooms, anti-gay epithets are not: GLSEN's 1999 national school climate survey found that ninety percent of the LGBT students who were surveyed reported "sometimes" or "regularly" hearing anti-gay comments at school. Thirty-six percent reported hearing these comments from teachers or other school personnel.

The lesson guide, which has been endorsed by the Anti-Defamation League, is part of GLSEN's ongoing efforts to increase the availability of curricular resources and staff development tools to help school communities create safe and respectful learning environments for all young people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. "The guide will prompt students to reflect on their own motivations for accepting, rejecting or just plain ignoring Eminem's messages," stated GLSEN Education Director Scott Hirschfeld.

GLSEN created the guide as a result of its participation in the broad-based national coalition of organizations brought together by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) to increase awareness and dialogue around Eminem's lyrics. In response to the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences' nomination of Eminem for four Grammy Awards early this month, GLAAD is spearheading a rally and education campaign, in which GLSEN will participate, at the Grammy's on Wednesday, February 21, at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Note: This resource was initially released in February 2001 in response to the controversy over rapper Eminem's nomination for four Grammy Awards.

Though teachers may have to supplement the content of this guide with current information, GLSEN continues to offer it as an effective case study and tool for addressing violence/hate lyrics in music.

"There is racism and homophobia in this country, and it is an artist’s responsibility sometimes to throw things like that in our face in a way that [infuriates] everybody." - Michael Greene, President of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences

"After hearing Eminem’s songs, I wanted to die. He makes me feel I have no place in the world." - Anonymous youth

Since the release of The Marshall Mathers LP in May 2000, rapper Eminem’s controversial lyrics have been the subject of heated debate. In September 2000 protesters criticized MTV for inviting Eminem to perform at its Video Music Award ceremony in New York. Tempers flared again after the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) announced its nomination of Eminem for four Grammy awards, including Album of the Year in February 2001.

Educators are encouraged to use this guide (accessible by clicking "download PDF" above) as a vehicle for exploring the topic of hate speech in polular music with students.

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