You may have seen the article Shayne wrote yesterday imploring metalheads to stop using the term "faggot." The article wasn't about censorship or being PC it was simply asking everybody to try to come up with a better insult than "faggot" to use when disagreeing with one's taste in heavy metal.
Semi-related, Attila released the first single off their next album Guilty Pleasure called "Proving Ground" a few days ago, and the hook of the song features the lyrics "Who's the faggot now?"
Naturally, this led to some eyerolls, most notably by the band Senses Fail:
How many times can @ATTILAga insult the LGBTQ community in 3:00 min? I lost count.
— Senses Fail (@SensesFail) October 22, 2014
This sent Attila frontman Chris Fronziak on the defensive writing:
If you think I'm homophobic in any way possible, you're clearly either an idiot or you're in a washed up band that nobody cares about
— Metalcore Gatsby (@FRONZ1LLA) October 22, 2014
I hope when I'm old & shot I can find better ways to get press than to talk shit about bands half my age hahaha. I'm too smart for that.
— Metalcore Gatsby (@FRONZ1LLA) October 22, 2014
Guess what, Chris? You're getting press for talking shit on bands twice your age! After all of this back and forth, Chris felt he needed to further explain his use of the slur in the song, saying it's all about staying positive. Here is his exact defense:
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: Please read & RETWEET! #ProvingGrounds pic.twitter.com/LDiFkvRRGf
— Metalcore Gatsby (@FRONZ1LLA) October 22, 2014
So, if I understand correctly, he's saying that the song is trying to turn hatred into positivity. However, by calling these theoretical bullies "faggots" he is basically stooping to their levels of negativity. He's just being more negative, but taking their negativity and throwing it back at them. Where is the positivity?
I don't think Fronz has anything against gay people but his logic is flawed and offensive. Faggot is being used in a negative connotation and by using his lyrics to effectively say "I know you are but what am I?" he is just perpuating the negative stereotype.
Now, I'll just sit back, eat some popcorn and wait for the freedom of speech comments to pour in.
[via Lambgoat]
