It's been awhile but I felt the need to share to you guys about the controversy regarding Lady Gaga's single "Born This Way" and Malaysian Radio. Apparently, the radio station in Malaysia had censored a particular line from the single, "no matter gay, straight or bi, lesbian transgendered life, I'm on the right track baby..." due to its pro-gay remarks. *Pro-gay? Pro-equality is more like it!*
In Malaysia, we do not practice freedom of speech or press. The media is heavily scrutinized by the government. And obviously the radio stations are censoring the song to avoid being penalized by national authority.
Being Malaysian born and a citizen of Malaysia for as long as I could remember, I'm pretty aware of the taboo surrounding homosexuality here in my homeland. What really set me off is watching people making fun of homosexuals and treating them like monsters. These prejudices are not just happening in Malaysia but in every corner of the world as well.
What's with all these discrimination in the world? How would you feel if people judged you based on your skin color, or criticizing your race or religion? Even though I can never fully empathize with the prejudices that homosexuals go through since I'm straight, but I have been a subject of racial discrimination in the past.
It's very hypocritical of them to censor "pro-gay remarks" but left songs that champion drugs, alcohol, and promiscuous behavior uncensored. Are you saying it's ok to smoke weed but it's not ok to have freedom in choosing your own lifestyle?
Despite the slight resemblance between Gaga's song and Madonna's, at the end of the day, the message of Gaga's song is by its nature inspiring to those who need to be inspired; assuring to those who felt that they are different.
Diversity is what makes the world so unique and beautiful. I long for the day that true equality can be practiced among mankind. A world where even if we are judged, we are only judged by our character and disposition. Undoubtedly, we still have a long way to go.
Amen Michelle! I'm also a straight person who feels VERY strongly about equal rights. It's great that someone like Lady Gaga came along to make the world see how normal it is tp be gay! I hope the government eventually comes around in your country, you're doing a good job getting the positive word out on your blog!
ReplyDeleteTake Care
very well said, michelle!
ReplyDelete<3, Mimi
http://whatmimiwrites.blogspot.com/
lady gaga is one of the most inspiring and influential people today. she is talented in so many ways, and at so many levels. i wont say you goverment is stupid, but they should open their eyes to trend of people today. they should listen to their people.
ReplyDeleteJennifer
http://monchinee.blogspot.com
I love Lady Gaga. Yes, she is crazy, but it makes her unique.
ReplyDeletefrankly it annoys me that you can have so much violence in a movie likt heads getting ripped off and detatching people with knives but as soon as they show a nipple or a soft core sex scene it's all of the sudden oooh and rated R, but violence is rated so much lower than sex. I do think gaga's new song has an extremelly postive image, and you know I'm not usually a gaga fan and I'm saying something nice! :)
ReplyDeleteI think Lady Gaga is an amazing role model and activist..
ReplyDeleteWow, I had no idea. I didn't know Malaysia was so behind the times. Sad to think about. Discrimination of any kind bothers me...a lot of people here use the terms "homo" and "fag" in very negative connotations. It's such a turn off and just makes the person who is saying it seem uneducated and rude.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post! It's important to talk about issues like these.
Go ahead and speak your mind girl! Thanks for being an advocate for the misjudged and unaccepted. More people need to stand up against discrimination.
ReplyDelete.AshleyRae.
araeofstyle.blogspot.com
This is a really beautiful post , I have goosebumps. The world is a pretty stupid place, a leader of a country being able to casually kill off his own people. Music somehow brings up together.
ReplyDeleteI love her!
ReplyDeleteVicky
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I hate it when it comes to racism, discrimination, etc etc etc.. :(
ReplyDeleteLovely post!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog!
Maybe we can follow eachother?
xxx
www.fashionapp.blogspot.com
I was reading through your blog, and I really love this post! I am actually a lesbian and I think I actually lead a good lifestyle compared to other fellow LGBT. I feel for the ones who are getting trampled and scrutinized. Now, no matter what color, lifestyle, or origin, does it really matter to them? These things do not hurt/immobilize or pry into personal lives, so what do people get so worked up for? I'm sure there are much better things to be worried about with themselves than with others.
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