Just Because An Abuser Makes Good Art Doesn't Mean You Should Defend Their Death
Start writing a post
Arts Entertainment

Just Because An Abuser Makes Good Art Doesn't Mean You Should Defend Their Death

When you support the art of an artist who has committed horrible acts you are, in turn, supporting those acts.

49
Just Because An Abuser Makes Good Art Doesn't Mean You Should Defend Their Death

On June 18th, TMZ broke the news of the shooting and suspected (and then later confirmed) death of controversial hip hop star XXXTentacion. The rapper was shot in his car outside a motorcycle dealership where he was shopping. News of his death broke quickly and people were just as quick to take sides.

The entire career of XXXTentacion, whose real name is Jahseh Onfroy, has been a controversial one, with him having faced nearly a dozen felony charges at the time of his death. He was charged with domestic assault and battery against his ex-girlfriend, including head-butting her, strangling her, and threats to kill er, among other acts. While facing these charges, Onfroy racked up over a dozen more felony charges of witness tampering, when he made recorded calls from jail, including apparent calls to his girlfriends attempting to get her to drop the charges against him.

This article from the Daily News lays out a long list of the charges against the rapper. The rapper has also admitted to violently assaulting his homosexual cellmate for looking at him while he was naked.

Now, at this point, you're probably thinking to yourself, "why would anyone actually like this person?" That is a valid thought. Onfroy is one of the first rappers to make music about his mental illness. He had a troubled life that included trying to stab the man that was "messing" with his mom. He lived back and forth between his mother and his grandmother throughout his youth. His childhood was that of most with troubled youths: kicked out of school at a young age, locked up in a youth detention center, dropped out of high school, no solid family foundation or place to call home. This story is one that is found in the bio section of most rappers, but the thing that sets Onfroy apart is how he let it define him.

Many people want the public to excuse his actions, claiming that he had done them when he was a kid, that he was making amends for his actions, that one mistake shouldn't define his life. These people are not aware of just how many "mistakes" Onfroy made. He REPEATEDLY abused his girlfriend; he knew what he was doing, there was no doubt in his mind. Someone that makes a mistake does not openly brag about it on a podcast that they know hundreds of thousands of people could listen to.

Those who didn't support Onfroy's career were not afraid to make that fact clear after his death, stating that, just because he is dead, we cannot forget what he had done. This is true and is applicable to much more than just this one person's death. The argument that people need to start separating the art from the artist is not a new one, but is still invalid. When you support the art of an artist who has committed horrible acts you are, in turn, supporting those acts. You are telling these people that what they have done is okay because of the power and popularity they have.

Those in support of Onfroy say that he had been bettering himself and all of the bad that he did was in his past, and were all mistakes. One of the few signs of proof that Onfroy had made amends is his claim that he donated $100,000 to anti-abuse foundations. However, there is no clear proof that he actually donated the money.

This whole situation is a social media mess, bringing out the worst in everyone. This is, however, the prime example of how quick people will jump to defend abusers simply because they make good art. The same is true for people like Chris Brown and Woody Allen. It's about time that people begin to actually listen to the victims of domestic abuse and start to ostracize the abusers like they do the victims.

National Domestic Abuse Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58575
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37766
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959338
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

194266
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments