[Intro]
Evocation of slavery imagery
(In need of salvation)
Dedication to hate and bigotry
(With no hesitation)
[Verse 1]
Here’s a smiley
(I’m laughing at you)
With wit too dryly
(I’m laughing at you)
[Bridge]
Laughing at you
(Laughing at me)
Or can’t you see
(What is true?)
[Chorus]
Yo, don’t you know?
We own the libs!
(Woe, no, didn’t know)
… they are up for dibs?
[Bridge]
Evocation of slavery imagery
(In need of salvation)
Dedication to hate and bigotry
(With no hesitation)
[Verse 2]
A shirk and a smirk
(A think in stink)
A worm squirm
(In need of a shrink)
[Bridge]
Laughing at you
(Laughing at me)
Or can’t you see
(What is true?)
[Chorus]
Yo, don’t you know?
We own the libs!
(Woe, no, didn’t know)
… they are up for dibs?
[Bridge]
Evocation of slavery imagery
(In need of salvation)
Dedication to hate and bigotry
(With no hesitation)
[Outro]
Own the libs
(And other fibs)
ABOUT THE SONG
Normalization of Hate and Cruelty: A Culture of Relishing Pain and Suffering
This shift in societal norms is mirrored in online behavior, where Trump supporters often express amusement or approval through emojis and comments, reinforcing the acceptability of these attitudes. Social media has amplified this trend, enabling the public normalization of sadistic and hateful behaviors across political and ideological divides.
The phrase “own the libs” has gained popularity in certain political and cultural contexts, often used to describe actions or statements aimed at provoking, humiliating, or frustrating perceived liberal or progressive individuals. Examining the phrase reveals two troubling implications:
- Pleasure in Cruelty:
- The expression reflects a willingness to act out of spite rather than genuine political or ideological discourse. It shifts the goal from engaging in meaningful debate to simply inflicting emotional or intellectual discomfort on others.
- This aligns with concepts like “schadenfreude,” the pleasure derived from another’s misfortune, and demonstrates an erosion of empathy in political and cultural exchanges. Instead of focusing on constructive policy or shared goals, the phrase celebrates antagonism for its own sake.
- Evocation of Slavery Imagery:
- The term “own” carries dark historical connotations tied to the enslavement of human beings, particularly in the United States. Historically, to “own” a person was to assert absolute control and dehumanize them, stripping away autonomy and dignity.
- While the phrase is not always used with an explicit reference to slavery, its invocation in the context of political dominance or humiliation can unintentionally (or in some cases, intentionally) echo the power dynamics and cruelty associated with slavery.
By celebrating domination and deriving satisfaction from others’ discomfort, “own the libs” perpetuates a culture of divisiveness and cruelty. Furthermore, the historical baggage of “ownership” as a concept cannot be entirely divorced from its use, especially in a country still grappling with the legacy of slavery. It’s a stark reminder of how language can carry unintended or overlooked implications that resonate deeply with historical injustices.