We all have our guilty pleasures. As a faithful follower of alternative music, mine happen to reside in the soft spot I hold for popular boy bands. I hide my One Direction posters in my room and hastily skip over the old Jonas Brothers songs on my iPod if others are listening. 

But then I inquire as to why I feel the need to behave in this manner. Why are we ashamed of enjoying certain types of music and forced to explain ourselves away by designating them as “guilty pleasures”? 

I have now personally come to perceive it as the resulting sentiments of a generation of "music shamers." We are all guilty of this; we have all committed the crime: looked down upon another, scoffed at them, or brushed them off simply because of their music taste. But what egotistical character flaw in today’s youth permits us to believe that we each have the singular authority to determine what constitutes “good music”?

In fact, so many of us claim to promote individuality, but it seems that our attempts to bring this appreciation into the field of music have led to the unfortunate construction of the modern music snob. We now live with this common character who disdains anyone who listens to music other than that which they enjoy and essentially rejects them as insignificant and almost uncultured. They appear to neglect the customary notion that a major component of individuality in a society is variety. 

Diverse tastes and likes are what maintain originality and distinctiveness, particularly among music lovers. Yet for some reason we continue to encourage our peers to abandon their own preferences and be unique; however, to accomplish this and achieve individuality they must shadow us and listen to OUR favorite music. It makes little sense.

Music should simply be a judgment-free zone. Everyone relates to different music in their own perspective manner. We are each touched by varying artists and genres. Our favorite music often holds special meaning for us and moves us to feel a certain way or to remember a certain time. Therefore, there is sentimental value to be discovered in all music and it should all be respected. 

I am not suggesting we can really appreciate all music because that is simply impossible. For example, I will NEVER be able to truly appreciate country music. I apologize to all country enthusiasts and aficionados, but I simply cannot. However, I can recognize its character and identity as a beloved and acclaimed genre. It is all art, all creation that has derived from passion and dedication and deserves at least some sort of regard. 

And if we respect the music, we can respect its devotees and end this absurd, nonsensical pattern of music shaming that honestly reflects very juvenile behavior. In the same way we learned when we were children, we must remember again to embrace differences and abstain from deriding anyone or making them feel badly for the music they appreciate.          

So perhaps I will never actually listen to that Luke Bryan album all my friends are raving about or really appreciate that Justin Bieber song that my cousin always has playing, but I will certainly try not to judge anyone who does. I would only anticipate the same respect as I follow up a Strokes or Young the Giant song with my favorite Miley Cyrus tune. 

In the [translated] words of an old Calle 13 song I enjoy, “What does it matter if you like Green Day? What does it matter if you like Coldplay?” It is one of my favorite lines of the song, though I would not exactly recommend listening to the rest. It just happens to be a guilty pleasure of mine.