Rapper Eminem deserves his four Grammy nominations, but the message of hate and violence in his lyrics should not be condoned.

The Recording Academy announced its nominations for the Grammy Awards last week, prompting thousands of phone calls and e-mails from people angry about Eminem’s nominations. Eminem’s lyrics include gay-bashing, fantasy stories of raping his mother, and violent accounts of murdering his wife.

Eminem’s latest album, “The Marshall Mathers LP,” sold nearly 8 million copies nationwide. It was the second best-selling album of 2000 in the United States behind ‘N Sync’s “No Strings Attached.”

It is Eminem’s right to say what he wants, but his messages are not appropriate for all audiences. Lyrics which express messages as strong as the ones portrayed on his albums are not appropriate for the teen and pre-teen audience of MTV, where Eminem’s videos are part of the channel’s regular rotation. In his songs, the rapper himself says that the meanings behind his words are a joke, but to some young listeners, that may not be so evident.

Eminem certainly deserves to have his art recognized, but not necessarily with more than a nomination. The recognition from the Recording Academy is merited; he should be respected for saying what he wants and for his talent as an artist. His sheer selling power alone is such that his influence cannot be denied.

All the world’s ills cannot be blamed on Eminem’s violent lyrics, and he is certainly not the first artist to spout offensive lyrics. Rapes and murders existed before he hit the air waves. However, it is the extreme to which he takes his message that brings attention.

There is also the issue of who Eminem’s lyrics attack. Had his lyrics contained derogatory remarks about blacks or Jews to the extreme he attacks gays, he would have never been given a recording contract.

Unfortunately, gay-bashing is still accepted in our society, and Eminem has prompted the most criticism by gay/lesbian anti-defamation groups. The problem of the hate expressed in his songs reaches far beyond one rapper’s lyrics.

Eminem feeds off of criticism, and the outcry against his nominations only helps aid his cause.

He acts under the principle that no publicity is bad publicity. For the Recording Academy to retract its nomination of Eminem would only add to his fodder, and entirely defeat the purpose of the opposition’s efforts.

Eminem deserves recognition, but his message cannot be honored. However, to exclude him from recognition because of his lyrics is a message against free speech, which could lead to far more dangerous conditions than those created by his lyrics.

With his popularity comes influence, and that cannot be denied by the recording industry, offensive lyrics or not.