OK, as a white person, I am writing yet another letter to the Citizen to express my feelings about the article on Hip Hop in Auburn.

I do so because I think that many other white women out there may share my views on this matter.

I like and am willing to buy rap and heavy metal music even though I do not predominantly listen to either of those forms, if the music meets my standards.

And that's the catch.

I do not think that “being white or black” is such a turn-off factor for these types of music in comparison to the issue of foul language and offensive, sexist lyrics that degrade women. I will not sell my mother's civil rights struggle to gain dignity for women by buying music that degrades women, and I do not choose to listen to negative music that has swearing in every line because I feel that it is unhealthy for me to be filling my head with angry lyrics all the time.

Although the major media pretends that alternative music does not exist, there is a thriving Christian music movement that has been growing strong for years.

Today, any style of music that you like, from heavy metal to rock to gospel to soul to rap (and more) exists out there in Christian format. Not only that, but the music is as good or better sounding than what the mainstream is pushing.

Yeah, white guys can rap, and I had to get over calling them Eminem wannabees. Try listening to TobyMac or KJ-52, Christian rap artists. If you like a heavy metal sound, Underoath is good (if you can handle the Marilyn Manson-style screaming !) Listen to BarlowGirl's lyrics and then tell me they're not more “feminist” than anything coming out of N.O.W. these days.

In Christian music, there are a lot of black and white alternatives out there that do not degrade women or talk trash. If you are looking for an alternative and have not tapped into this yet, you need to check it out and spend your money on artists who sell a more uplifting message.

Lisa M. Backus

Auburn