MF DOOM was my dude! They called him the mad villain! He released some amazing albums, created tremendous instrumental projects, and built arguably one of the most supportive fan bases in hip-hop culture. He embraced the title of the Villain, and people loved it! There are countless stories I won't delve into, but you can find out more about them on the internet. Despite the stories, lore, and mystery, his stardom seemed to grow even more.
It's almost as if the more he embraced his villainous persona, the more respect and appreciation he received. This made me think: Do good guys really finish last while the so-called "bad guys" finish first? Based on DOOM's path and career, I would have to agree with that sentiment. I am not here to label DOOM as a good or bad guy, or to pass judgment on his actions or representation. Instead, I am focused on the approach that a villain, in any scenario, must adopt.
Villains are usually individuals driven by an unwavering force that compels them to achieve their goals, regardless of the cost, regardless of who tries to stop them, and regardless of how many people disagree or disapprove. The determination involved in a "villainous" approach to achieving things is almost fascinating. Regardless of how the story ends for most villains, the fact remains that they get to experience and cultivate the things they desire. While this approach may not always be welcomed or perceived as positive, I dare say it is an effective means of getting things done.
I find myself adopting a somewhat villainous approach to life, where I feel the need to safeguard myself to the point of appearing standoffish in certain aspects of my life. Why? Because people don't seem to respect or care for individuals who are kind and often take advantage of them given the opportunity. I know this from firsthand experience. I have witnessed it numerous times and have felt taken advantage of myself. People have outright told me that I am foolish for being so nice and gullible, that others don't deserve my kindness and energy. Now, I wholeheartedly agree. After contemplating these experiences, I have come to realize that villains and heroes are all a matter of perspective anyway.
As an anecdotal reference to illustrate this, imagine being in a situation where you have to choose between saving one of two people in a dire circumstance. On one end, there is a middle-aged man, and on the other end, there is a middle-aged woman. Faced with the choice of rescuing one from a potential drowning scenario in a lake, you decide to save the man first because he is closer to the dock, intending to go back and save the woman. Unfortunately, your attempts to save her are in vain, and she perishes. You are genuinely distraught and almost feel guilty for not being in a better position to save both individuals. When the news station and families are notified and arrive, the police question you repeatedly about what happened and the split-second choices you had to make. They applaud you and assure you that you did your best, deeming you a hero. But minutes later, the woman's husband approaches you, walking toward you with mild aggression, hurling obscenities. You are dumbstruck, but empathetic toward the situation, yet confused by it all. You tried your best to be the hero, yet in someone's eyes, you are still seen as the villain. Knowing deep down inside that you did your best is not enough to convince yourself that you made the right decision. The feeling of letting down the husband and his family continues to consume you. You question your own judgment.
Over time, you develop a growing sense of callousness within yourself because you start to believe that no matter the good you do, the bad will always be the predominant perception. You tell yourself that your good deeds are forever overshadowed by your own villainous thoughts. This becomes your new normal, your way of thinking, your lifestyle. You begin to accept the notion that no matter what you do in life, someone will always potentially view you as a villain because you cannot please everyone. And so, you live your life with a tainted view of reality that is much easier to deal with than the pain caused by letting down the husband and failing to save his wife, despite your intentions to be their savior in that particular circumstance.
This may seem like an exaggerated story, but who's to say that this isn't how some people feel on a daily basis? This level of internal conflict is enough to transform even the best of us into something else. Some become more protective, others become more withdrawn, and still, others become anomalies from the norm.
The point is that being perceived as a villain is not always a choice one makes willingly. Life circumstances and individual experiences can shape us and lead us to adopt protective measures. Villainy, as with heroism, is a matter of perception and circumstance. The world may label us as villains, but deep down, we know the complexities of our intentions, the battles we fight within ourselves, and the reasons behind our choices.
So, let us remember that judgments should be made with caution, for no one truly knows the struggles and internal conflicts of another. Perhaps, instead of hastily labeling others as villains, we should strive for empathy and understanding. After all, within each perceived villain, there may lie a story of pain, growth, and the pursuit of self-preservation.