At 25, Gaga (real name, Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta) has emerged as one of the prominent force in pop music today. Her fans, which she affectionately calls “little monsters,” support her ravenously and attribute her music for being “real.” With song titles such as “Just Dance” “Bad Romance” “Born This Way” Lady Gaga has positioned herself as a voice of this generation. Her style of dress and lyrics has scared the beejezus out of religious groups, homophobes and republicans (I guess I said the same thing thrice) everywhere.
On August 28th during the broadcast of MTV’s Video Music Awards, Lady Gaga opened the show dressed a fictitious man, Jo Calderon and put on a performance that is sure to go down in history. Lady Gaga show us that her style does not affect the talent that she possesses is still within. Regardless of how you or I feel about her choice of dress, use of imagery in her videos, political views, etc. we cannot deny she is talented. It is that very talent that allows her to connect those children who feels disenfranchised, disowned and are labeled as outcasts in society.
Today I read a verse in the Bible (Proverbs 29:7 NIV) which states “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no concern.” I am not going to judge how righteous Lady Gaga is in terms of lifestyle according to the scriptures, but I can say she is right in advocating for the well-being of the down trodden. She represents was has become more common with young adults in the current culture. They are less concern with religious dogma, hard-line politics or focusing on prejudice, but they wish people were allowed to live as they so please with fear verbal of physical abuse in retribution.
When Lady Gaga stepped on the staged during the VMAs in “drag,” smoking a cigarette and using more swear words than a marine in giving birth, the world tuned in. She was not judgmental, but rather he appeared courageous. Gaga stood proxy for millions of young people which wish everyday they could draw as much attention as she does, while doing whatever she pleased. There are possibly millions of people in opposition to Gaga’s music and way of life, but we still notice that above all else she stands as someone connects to people. (Gaga has more twitter followers than anyone else in the world.)
I work in two circles primarily: social service organizations and churches. In both realms there is a deep concern that nihilism, self-loathing and oppositional defiance are attributes found commonplace in youth. If Gaga where to step into either of these circles, she would immediately be labeled with one of these psychological disorder or some other spiritual dysfunction. While either or both could be true, we are missing what it is that she connects to: Love. If we claim to genuinely care for people and have a sincere desire to lead them to a righteous path we must learn to love them first. Before the judgment, therapy, or baths of holy water followed by anointing oil moisturizers: there must be love.
If we cannot reach the young people whom we can touch, there are the Gagas of the world who will love them from a distance. Honestly, who should have more influence?
