How Kendrick Lamar’s new song about his trans family members is sparking important conversations

Lamar raps “Auntie Diaries” from his album “Mr.

Morale & the Big Steppers”.

He describes his cousin and uncle as important figures in his family’s life.

They are also trans.

Although Lamar is being applauded for being open to transgender people, the response has been divided.

Some people were critical of Lamar’s misgendering of his family — Lamar used both the “he/him” and “she/her pronouns interchangeably to refer to both relatives.

Another criticism is his repeated use and misuse of an anti-LGBTQ slur, as well his former cousin’s name.

Lamar sings, “My auntie was a man” and says he took pride in his uncle’s transformation as a teenager.

Later, he mentions that his uncle was “the first person (he saw) write a Rap,” which introduced him to the form that would ultimately dominate.

Lamar mentions also his favorite cousin and the transition they made.

He says he still loves them and that their relationship was difficult for a while because his cousin wasn’t “comfortable” with him.

Lamar repeatedly uses the f–slur throughout his discussion about Lamar’s homophobic past.

He says, “I said them F-bombs.

I don’t know how to do it better.” Later, he refers to an incident that occurred at a concert where a White fan used the racial slur while singing along with one of Lamar songs.

Jem Aswad, a Variety music critic, praised “Auntie Diaries,” as a powerful and genre-shifting statement about transphobia and Lamar’s opinions.

The song wasn’t universally loved by listeners.

Many criticized it for being “transphobic and selfish” by Lamar, who centered himself on a story about trans family members while using inaccurate pronouns repeatedly and a slur.

Others defended the song as Lamar reflecting back on his life and his love of his family.

Others said the song was flawed, but it is meaningful for a rapper like Lamar — the only one to win a Pulitzer because of their work — that they say they support transgender people.

Preston Mitchum is the director of advocacy at Trevor Project.

The Trevor Project works with LGBTQ youth to stop suicide.

He tweeted, “I am thankful that he spoke for love and acceptance of trans sibs — even though they had to admit what society did first.” The [slur] has thrown me off, because it’s not his word to use.

However, that is his final point.

The song was released in a controversial time for trans rights.

According to one report, more than 200 state bills had been introduced as of March.

This includes many that were aimed specifically at trans youth.

While reviews for the much-anticipated “Mr.

Morale & the Big Steppers”, are still coming in, “Auntie Diaries,” is one of the most popular songs.

Lamar has just announced that he will be touring the world to promote his album.

It is scheduled for July..

Adapted from CNN News