"You Got It Bad"

Oh Usher....

I first heard this song (and the entire Confessions album) in high school, thanks to my sister playing it on a white knuckle loop as loud as the stereo would go. -___-  He's not my favourite artist, by any means, but listening to the lyrics (against my will) gave me some time to reflect on just what this man is singing about.

To me, it sounds like obsessive love.  Now, I'm not to judge whether that's healthy or not, but I feel it's mis-representative, to say the least, of what intimate romantic Love can be like.  And for the millions of folks who consume mainstream media, I fear this is the only way they know how to Love.

It's also perpetuating the stereotype that Black men always step out on Black womyn, which annoys me to no end. Pathologising Black love, yet again!! :seethes:  I'm not trying to be all up in other folks' relationships.  And those holier than thou finger-pointers act like White men, Arab men, multiracial men, Latinos, Asian men, don't do the same.    Humans are serial monogamists (at best) and it's unhealthy and irrational to assume that people will have sex with only one other person "till death do they part".  I've been cringing over that phrase since I was eight.  But to force folks into that box 'monogamous', and assume that there are no other ways to express sexuality/ties, is Oppressive (and limiting) to say the least. Where are the poly folks, and the asexuals?

Another thing that irks me about this video and the message it sends, is the fact that it's (c)overtly promoting the romantic relationship above all others.  AS if friendships, familial relationships, working relationships haven't sustained you and thus deserve to take a backseat to this person whom you prize above all others.  Emeshed couples make me nauseous. :grabs bucket:  You were your own person before and (keep it up!!!) you'll have to be your own person after this relationship ends.

------------

But Usher does look fresh 2 deff.  Swagg to the nth and damn can he dance!  Gotta appreciate those bruthas keepin' it fly.