Okay, so I download few rap songs. My playlist includes Bach, classic rock, alternative whatever, the Boston Pops and jazz. I am a middle aged Caucasian woman and a therapist. I probably don’t object to some of Eminem’s lyrics because I can’t hear them all. But as a mental health advocate, my antenna is always up when it comes to the stigma associated with a psychiatric diagnosis.
Stigma, the toxic social soil which fertilizes shame, delays outreach to life-saving treatment and prolongs suffering even after health returns.
So, there I was on Grammy night rooting for Marshall Mathers III, whose compelling close up of addiction hell has brought inspiration and hope to many. After all, Recovery’s brilliant lyrics, raw honesty, transformative hope, powerful music and shattering delivery did more than crash servers around the world with instant sales. Recovery gathered audiences of fans from new demographics because addiction, depression and recovery affect millions of lives every year.
Pregnant and new moms aren’t excluded from the addicted. Over a third of mothers who are drinking or drugging when they become pregnant do not stop. This leads to increased risk of ante and postnatal depression as well as many other life-threatening dangers for the mother, fetus and neonate. And of course, incredible shame if even the life inside you can’t motivate you to face your demons.
“And the Grammy for best album of the year goes to…..” well, it wasn’t Eminem.
I wasn’t alone in my expectations or disappointment. That Recovery was the best selling album of 2010 is not debated. There could be many reasons Mathers didn’t get the top prize. Perhaps anonymous Grammy judges didn’t really listen to Recovery or understand the urgency of its message to millions.
Perhaps Shady’s refusal to bow to the Grammy gods played a part, but he’s not the first to eschew convention and win. Perhaps rap, which is a musical revival of the medieval Goliard Poets who told it like it was, still hasn’t found a mainstream base. Or maybe Recovery’s story was just a little too raw, a little too “xxx” a little too close to the guilt we feel when we just can’t do it for our family or ourselves, when we face forces more powerful than our will can fight.
Recovery’s tunes may not be the hit of kareokee night. Not the kind of tunes you sing unless you have suffered the devastation of addiction or depression. But if you have, songs like “Going through changes” illuminate the dark journey, making a difficult moment more bearable and offering hope that transformative change is possible.
Did stigma play a role in the top honor going to a more conventional “safe” band? Can we stomach mental health or addiction’s horrors only when titrated through the whitewash of reality shows which offer pat interventions? Do we forgive only the fallen celebrities who wink at the judge, receive suspended or brief sentences or hold up taping of prime time shows?
Eminem’s Recovery album offers a stark behind the scenes first person account of the devastation, terrors and back-to-square-one rebuilding of self that true recovery from mental illness requires. Long after we’ve all forgotten who won what at the 2010 Grammy’s, Recovery’s historic social and musical achievements will continue to guide and inspire those who have to face this dark journey alone.
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I have Bipolar and totally relate to Eminem. His song Not Afraid is how I feel now with my illness. Yet I have been through my manic and depressed stages like him. Yes I bet he was snubbed because of it. Look at the way Charlie Sheen was treated recently and it is obvious that he is Manic and Britney Spears, Mel Gibson, Lindsay Lohan etc etc. Hollywood wants perfection not reality.
May 7, 2011 - 11:51amThis Comment
Thank you for sharing this story. I am currently in a situation with a friend of mine who is going through some major bi-polar/schiz issues. I am not sure which one at the moment as they are putting her through many tests at the moment. This is Recovery time....and I am learning a lot from helping her and being there for her during this time.
Episodes of dillusion, wanting to burn her house down and things that possibly you only see on television is happening to a very good friend of mine. She is currently in long term facility at the moment and I will be visiting her for the first time tomorrow. I completely respect Eminem for coming out about his issues. It is real and not so glamorous as the million dollar lifestyle....reality is not as expensive.......
Thanks for the share,
April 30, 2011 - 8:07amMissie
This Comment
I hear your concern. I majored in psychology for 5 years in University. I applaud Eminem for all that he's done but Arcade Fire wrote the best album without a doubt in my mind. Grammy's just rewarded the musicians who wrote the best album. You are over analysing the situation.
April 30, 2011 - 7:40amThis Comment
As a person in recovery for the rest of my life, from Mental Health, I understand what S. Stone is upset about here. Very few artists are publically open about their Mental Health illness let alone have the courage to make an album to talk about it. Mental Health disorders touch everyone’s lives in one way or another, Maybe it's you or someone you know or love, or someone they know or love, either way throw that stone in the pond and tell me where the water doesn't ripple. Grammys', boo-hoo on you! Eminem, thanks for keepin it real, as usual :)
February 23, 2011 - 1:04pmThis Comment