The Mouth That Roared

Is rap star Eminem a hatemonger or a creative genius?

Published October 25, 2000 5:14PM (EDT)

Camille Paglia: I think Eminem has a perfect right to say whatever he wants. No democracy should censor art or pop, however shocking or disgusting it may be.

Eminem is the enema for the stale, saccharine platitudes and pieties that kids are force-fed these days by their PC teachers and counselors.

It's clear from his huge popularity that Eminem has tapped into a rising tide of rebellion among middle-class white kids who are sick and tired of the canned, humanitarian schmaltz of their antiseptic, namby-pamby, culture-starved schools.


By Camille Paglia

Camille Paglia is the University Professor of Humanities and Media Studies at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.  Her most recent book is "Glittering Images: A Journey Through Art From Egypt to Star Wars." You can email her at askcamille@salon.com.

MORE FROM Camille Paglia


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Camille Paglia