Image courtesy of www.nation.com.pk
Worldwide, Lady Gaga’s music and presence never fail to stir controversy in a huge way. Her bizzare stage performances are often subjects to criticisms and ridicule. Her Born This Way Ball Tour sparked debates from people of all persuasions - religion, politics, entertainment. And just about every Tom, Dick and Harry, too. Locally, it is also the limelight-seeking politicians who dip their already dirty fingers to every issue one can imagine. But often than not, it's the the religious communities who feel strongly against her. They label Lady Gaga and her music as blasphemous, disrespectful, profane. Guys, have you heard of freedom called expression?
These people protest that her songs' lyrics are too offensive and provocative for comfort. They believe their fear that her huge influence will make the youth astray and be menace to society. They claim that she is a devil doing satanic rituals on the pretext of music. Oh, my foot!
But why this violent reaction over Lady Gaga? Why didn’t we protest about other foreign artists who were here before her, whose image and music were likewise as controversial, if not dubious? What made her so ‘special’ to deserve a boycott? Oh well, so much over-acting for nothing. Or so much ignorance.
Wasn't Lady Gaga the one who put up a foundation to empower the youth, who was the first to stand up and raised millions to help Japan and Haiti after the devastating earthquakes, who joined MAC to support people living with aids, and the list goes on? Is this now the new definition of devil?
And who are these supposed judges of Gaga's character? Have you ever filled even half her shoes? Please stand up and be counted.
Since when did it happen that listening to love songs will make you fall in love, exposure to religious songs will make you godly, and listening to Gaga’s Judas song will make you satanic?
Where is reason in justfying that the young people should not watch and hear her? Hello? Have you heard of internet, of youtube? If your daughter goes and chooses to follow the Lady, don't blame the Gaga, blame yourself who raised her.
I happened to be lucky enough to watch her concert on its first day here in Manila. Up close, I saw the fire in her, the passion I never knew before. To say that she is fabulous is a gross understatement. The sold-out concert was an ultimate experience. Her audience was devoted, and like her, was brave and daring. What drew them to Lady Gaga was her fab persona, her fearlessness to express herself. She is bold, captivating, defiant. She was aware of the boycott and addressed those concerned, "I am not a creature of your government, Manila!" That sent goose bumps all over.
For the Lady, it’s all about you, yourself and living it. "People need to be free, to be who they are." And that's enough inspiration for her fans whom she calls her Little Monsters.
To the skeptics, we hope you open that box - behind Lady Gaga's outrageous image is a person who cares about the world, the youth. For the Gaga, it’s not always about the music. It’s all about you - us. Our insecurities and fears hold us back, but she says that we should embrace it all. No escape, no excuse. Because rightly or wrongly, like it or not - we were born this way.
