Stripped and Dirty

Not only is the genie out of the bottle, but according to the cover story of the November issue of a popular entertainment magazine, Christina Aguilera may throw the bottle at you. One thing is clear; this talented artist is making her statement, and she’s has no concern who likes it.

On her new album entitled "Stripped", she appears to be a combination of blues mama and gangsta girl. From a talent standpoint, her vocal ability leaves no doubt that she is the woman in charge. She is healthy singing R&B, Latin pop, or hip-hop, but she is best singing the blues.

It is a shame that from the very first song, the artist makes it plain that she is not interested in self-restraint. In the album title (Stripped) as well as on the cover picture, Aguilera screams, "Look at my private parts." The first song entitled "Dirrty" (spelled with two "R’s"), brings to mind the image of girls gone completely wild. The video by the same name was so suggestive and outright lewd, that it was banned in Thailand. A simple preview is all that’s needed to understand why.

If all she needed to be accepted as a true musician were the soul and beauty of her voice, she would have my vote without question. But I think that artists owe it to their fans to be true to the game.

The values that protect and preserve decency and morality will never be found in raunchy videos or suggestive music. It is one thing to be proud of and embrace your sexuality, but another thing to disrespect it. This is where Aguilera loses focus and direction. She may have grown up and be able to call some shots, but when I express my liberty without considering how my actions affect others, I prove that I am unable of making my decisions.

While I believe that an artist should be creative and original, it is unfortunate that all too often, they disregard the healthy virtue of modesty. Equally insulting is the industry’s use of "Dirrty" trash simply to sell records. It is time for us to realize that when we buy their music; we endorse their values, whether we want to or not. We should follow the advice of the writer of 2 John 10: "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed."

By: Edmund Brown