7-14-00 - EDITORIAL
- Remember, a beautiful life is merely prayer in motion, and a world without prayer has no center to it. God bless us all.
Racism and the world of entertainment
- So here is another editorial about racism and what I've been feeling lately.
- Last week, I went to see my last KISS show. I know, I catch a lot of crap for enjoying KISS, but should explain again, it's not so much their music, as it is the fact that they are a major part of my youth, and a part of what created who I've become.
- However, the purpose of this editorial, is to talk about another element of the KISS touring show;
- Ted Nugent.
- After being a fan of his music, as a younger person, having seen him in concert over a dozen times in the past years, I find myself disgusted at his stage presence, as he seems to want to appeal to every negative and racist aspect of every ethnic group in the country. Songs that are entirely of a white supremacist realm such as Kiss My A##, which is directed at anyone who is not white, is an appalling example of what is going on in several areas of our country.
- I was recently in a Comp USA store, and was involved in a confrontation wherein the manager informed me that I was going to have to pay over 500.00 for the privelege of returning a computer that didn't work, and I'd only had it for 30 hours. Needless to say, in the process of the exchange, I used an expletive involving a diety. The store manager then turned to me and said, 'Sir I find that word extremely offensive, and will no longer talk to you'.
- Realizing my error, I apologized, and explained that as someone who is not of the Christian orientation, I wasn't thinking when I used the word, and therefore, didn't mean to offend, but did recognize that the word is offensive to some, and again apologized and said I wouldn't use the word again.
- His response was, "Well, if you aren't Christian, I have nothing to say to you either, so please just leave my store.' He then walked off. The black man standing next to me then said, "Gee, I wonder how he feels about us nigg$$."
- This comment really brought home a point to me. How often are we tolerant of views that we perhaps ought to think twice about? And how often should we say something about it?
- I'm definitely a provocateur, and enjoy making people think. And one of my points, or I suppose the whole point of this editorial, is to recognize that racism is all around us in many forms. I wonder how many teenage girls listen to the rap music, not caring or noticing that the artists are referring to women as bit$#%! and 'hos'. Do you want or approve of your daughter being called those names? Should you talk to your child about these names they are subconsciously hearing?
- What about the hard rock music that speaks to a 'white America'? This music scares me. I've endured death threats from supremacist and extremist groups, had things thrown at me at anti-racism rallies, and even been in a limo with a driver who referred to black people using the apolitical "N" word. But nothing has brought me the fear that the more public music is bringing out.
- This problem is all around us, everywhere. Maybe you don't see it, maybe you don't feel it. But it's there. I don't know what to do about it, but I'm telling you, if we don't fix it, it will only get worse. The lines between colors is more deep and etched than it's really ever been. It's merely more quiet now, and hidden in the back alleys and dark rooms. I propose we drag it kicking and screaming out into the light, where it can be seen for what it is, and for humanity to understand, in the naked light of day, how childish, stupid, moronic, and useless this behaviour and thought process is. Unmask it for the last time.
- There is a power greater than all the missiles, guns, and hatred in this world, and it's time has come. Bring it on!
Let love for mankind reign.
- Send us your comments, arguments, and opinions