I have had friends who turned on me because they wanted to hang out with people they thought were cooler, more popular, or who had better toys. Those friendships rarely lasted, though. In high school, the kids who had cars were more able to get friends, but those friends were only hanging out because of the car and not because they actually liked each other. I managed to remain friends with some people who I still consider close even though we go to different schools. The superficial aspects of our lives are meaningless and transitory. Money, looks, and other superficial traits fade, and what really counts is our character. I have seen people in my family bicker over money and other materialistic things that do not matter, when I really wish they would just love each other for who they are. This is why I find Timbaland's song to be so inspiring. For once, a hip-hop artist is genuinely "keeping it real."
Finally, I appreciate "The Way I Are" because of what it can do for self-esteem. Many young people who listen to hip-hop and other forms of music might buy into the materialism that is embedded in the lyrics. I have seen people become wrapped-up in the pursuit of money or power. Those people are invariably unhappy on the inside and make terrible friends. I believe we can derive significant value from songs like "The Way I Are." There are several self-esteem values...
First, my life has value beyond what type of job I might have or who my friends are. I do not need to base my self-esteem on shallow things, just as I do not need to judge other people on those traits. If I love other people for who they are, I can also appreciate myself for "the way I are." Second, self-esteem that is rooted in money or looks is not genuine. Money and looks can vanish in an instant. The only genuine self-esteem is that which is based on character. Throughout my life, I have recognized how sad it is when people base their self-worth on their looks or how much money they have. I do not believe those people are genuinely happy.
Timbaland's "The Way I Are" sends a powerful message about appreciating others and ourselves for our intrinsic worth. The song reflects my sentiments about friendship, romance, and self-esteem. The line "my love is free" suggests that real love has no price tag. This is a similar message to the Beatles song, "Can't Buy Me Love." Unfortunately, I have noticed that our society encourages materialism and shallowness, and those values are sometimes evident in popular music. The Timbaland song "The Way I Are" is unique and I hope that it encourages other young people to cultivate stronger ethics and values.
Work Cited
Timbaland. "The Way I Are." Song.
