Kendrick Lamar Divides LGBTQIA+ Community w/Auntie Diaries [Audio]

Kendrick Lamar

Hey Puddins! I'm already preparing for the backlash that I'm going to get from two specific groups of people: Die hard Kendrick fans and the toxic cis Black community. Albeit, I'm GOING to address this song and the artist who brought it to us. Kendrick Lamar has been active as a rapper and writer since 2003. Going by the moniker K.Dot he has long since been releasing projects via mixtapes as an independent artist. However, his commercial success came in 2012 when he released his debut album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City under the collaborative signing of Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath and Interscope.

After a four year hiatus, Kendrick released Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers to raving fans who have been yearning for new music from the Compton born MC. However, there is one song that has many questioning whether or not Kendrick is a true ally to the LGBTQIA+ community or just another cis-het Black rapper trying to use a hot topic to sell records.

Auntie Diaries is a lyrical journey that Kendrick walks us through regarding two of his relatives that identify as Trans and how he (and society) has navigated those relationships. He speaks on the changing of times, the slurs and derogatory language that he grew up using, and the resolutions he came to while in reflection of his relationships with them. One member being a Trans man that Kendrick refers to as 'Auntie' and the other being Kendrick's cousin who is a Trans woman.

I want to start by saying, this song is about a personal experience and NOT a grand statement on transness as a whole. That has to be said to understand that this song is not meant to represent the entirety of trans folks and/or the trans experience. As a community, we have a horrific habit of taking a celebrity's personal experiences and turning them into political or cultural billboards for a cause that we believe in or are a part of. With that said, I do not know the personal relationship Kendrick has with his relatives. Does "Auntie" allow for Kendrick to call him "Auntie" for reasons understood between the two of them specifically and/or the family? Does this relative want to be referred to as uncle by the family? These are details that are important to understand surrounding a conversation about respecting how someone wants to be identified. If "Auntie" is ok with that title from his nephew (Kendrick) then who are we as a community to question their relationship and overall dynamic?

I am also not here to police the creative outlet and process of ANY artist! There are many things that I agree with and don't agree with when it comes to someone's creative product, however, I stand on the fact that every person has the right to express themselves how they see fit. Understanding, of course, that when that expression becomes public, they are open to the opinion/consequences of said expression.

I found it interesting that - aside from the auntie reference - Kendrick respected "Auntie's" pronouns, using he/him/his pronouns throughout the song but chose not to do the same with his trans feminine cousin who is now Mary-Ann. This struck me as odd and triggered the age old adage of thought that cis-het Black men are more readily to accept masculinity in what they perceive to be female - outside of romantic relationships and corporate success - than they are to accept femininity in what they perceive to be male.

Another point of contention for listeners is the use of the homosexual slur F****T within the song. Now, granted I (and many others) can't stand this word, the use of it in the context of this song did not bother me. The truth is, this word, for many Black folks, was a word so freely used - whether with ill intent or not - and became a part of the lexicon of language in many urban Black communities. A lexicon, mind you, that is still being deconstructed and redesigned as we, the Black community, learn more and try to evolve into better. It's use in a song about Kendrick's reflection on his life's experience made sense. Especially, since he's using it to show the hypocrisy of his own actions when we get to his last verse of the song. A verse in which his cousin challenges his use of the word while also not allowing a white girl to say the word N***A.

Whereas I can't police how Kendrick creates his experiences through his art, as a celebrity, there is a responsibility that one has, knowing how they influence culture. Kendrick is one of the most respected and influential artists of his generation and there HAS to be an acknowledgement of what that means to the masses. How his words can, will, and does affect those that listen to his music, watch his interviews, and fan out over his existence.

As LGBTQIA+ folks, my grievance with the most fervor comes from the fact that we assume someone is or isn't an ally based on a song or a performance done with someone from the LGBTQIA+ community. We measure alliance by what is retweeted versus what is voted on. We care so much about the commercialism of alliance versus looking at how these celebrities treat LGBTQIA+ folks on a daily basis! How do you treat us when the world ISN'T looking in your direction? How are you behind the veil?

Are you inclusive in the things you do? Do you use the correct pronouns? Do you allow other cis-het folks to dog out the fem, Black, gay boy that just walked in with a skirt. Do you misgender the trans girl who you pass on the streets of Compton? Do you sexulize trans men for their presumed genitalia and an effort to seek sexual conquest? THOSE are things that I'm looking for when I speak about ally-ship. I don't give a FUCK how much money you gave to an org - that's a tax write off! I don't care about how many songs you write about it or videos you do. Are you going to hire and equitably PAY a trans woman to be your love interest in the next video you release? Are you gonna hire that Black fem boy to be your personal assistant? Are you going to sign that talented LGBTQIA+ artist that has as much promise as you did when you started? When we talk about ally-ship we must first consider if we are helping the needle move toward true equity. If you are not doing your part to do that, then you're no ally to me.

Furthermore, the amount of cis-gay men (like myself) who may want to say,

"Folks are trippin'! The song is fire and there's nothing wrong with it! And I'm gay!"

Please understand that your toxicity shows! For we as cis-gay men DO NOT live a trans experience and cannot give passes or confirmations on whether something misses the mark to or for the trans community. I am not trans. What I hear and how I view this song does not negate what a Black trans person hears and feels when they hear this song. This is THEIR lane of experience to critique with expertise. To educate - and even drag - Kendrick as they see fit. This is also not an all trans lives matter type situation either. If you are not Black and you have not lived or can not understand the nuances of Black culture, then you're weigh in need not be counted in THIS moment! White LGBTQIA+ folks have a real nasty habit at showing their racist side towards Black artists who do or say the wrong things pertaining LGBTQIA+ issues. We the Black LGBTQIA+ delegates are VERY capable of checking our own, without the white privilege and racism. THANK YOU!

Albeit, what I CAN say and WILL say, even to my trans siblings in community, is to see this song for what it is - a PERSONAL experience with two of HIS relatives. Not a take or an anthem about transness overall. From that space, critique it how you see fit from the Black trans experience you live! If you haven't heard the song, take a listen for yourself:

Sources:

Cover photo courtesy of HipHopDX.com - Fair Use

Inlay video courtesy of Kendrick Lamar's YouTube channel