In The Black

Remember the rise in the music world of that annoying little twerp with the mop of hair, Justin Bieber? I'm still trying to forget that kid, and have no idea what shred of talent he has to warrant attention, even by little girls. But Justin's success all began with a crudely done self produced music video on Yu Tube. The preteen girls like Justin so much they even imagine he can sing, and that his music is tolerable. Fueled by the mainstream media which seems to love creating false idols, Justin became an international star.

Well, now a 13 year old named Rebecca Black has decided to take the same approach as Justin. Her mom spent $4000 to make a music single and accompanying video sung by Rebecca and posted on line, all so that Rebecca could become the next just barely teen star of little talent to dazzle us all. But it hasn't worked as well for Rebecca. The song, called "Friday", has has received more than 154 million views and was eventually released as a single on Billboard's Hot 100. But it has also drawn some vicious criticisms that no 13 year old little girl should see about herself.

While almost 400,000 listeners of the Yu Tube video say they like the song, over 3 million have said it is awful. Some have made vulgar and threatening comments against Rebecca. By this past February, Rebecca began to receive death threats from jealous (or knowledgeable) music critics who saw the video but who perhaps forgot it's not appropriate to excoriate children in public. The majority of the threats have come via the phone and email (As of yet, no enterprising critic has yet put a music video on line that specifically attacks Rebecca, though some amusing parodies of the song have been done).

Ok, I know you are wondering about the song and want to see the video. Grab your favorite sedative and some ear plugs (just in case), turn the volume low and see it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD2LRROpph0

I warned you! But it's about what a13 year old should produce, and remember, Rebecca is just a little girl. The problem with the attitude of Rebecca's parents in this enterprise, the "Let's make a star of my kid" idea, is that 13 year olds shouldn't be artificially promoted, particularly when they lack any sense of talent. And worse, one wonders if it is not a form of child abuse to subject a 13 year old to the horrid comments, criticisms, and over all venom of those watching the video. What were her parents thinking? (they probably don't think much). Would any parent want their small child to go through this?

Rebecca is learning many things from this, but the most impacting one may be that we can't always fulfill our dreams simply because we want them to happen, and that to be mocked publicly at the sweet and innocent age of 13 is a far worse outcome than the artificial success of being noticed on line and the few minutes of fame that follows. That adults would put Rebecca in this situation, and that many adults relish assassinating a little girl's character is an abomination of a terrible sort. Adults, including celebrities in the music business, comics, and public figures have made fun of Rebecca and her song. I wonder if they are clue less as to Rebecca's age, or perhaps even though they see the song is not worthy of attention, they are tone deaf about about abusing a child in public.

Oh music Gods above... spare us from any more Justin Beiber's or Rebecca Black's, for our sake and theirs.