Blue Rock-n-Roll
I know the blog has been a little slow (and weird) but summer is a busy time for me so I haven't had the opportunity to post stuff as much as I would have liked.
I do want to direct you to my Brother-in-law's recent blog post he wrote on giving. It is awesome and very convicting. Both he and Beth are true examples of how to be good stewards with their money. They set a strong example for other young professionals to follow. Here is the link to his post and a great communion mediation that he did reflecting the discipline of giving.
I just finished watching Pearl Jam on VH1 Storytellers. They are still such an amazing band. During the show Eddie Vedder did an acoustic version of a Phil Ochs song (you can see it here) that was very harsh, political, and specific in laying out Eddie's displeasure at the current administration.
It made me start thinking about the risks bands or entertainers take in openly declaring some sort of political or moral positions on issues that we collectively as a society face everyday. I think it's relatively easy for Pearl Jam to take a stand, but for a group like the Dixie Chicks it's a little bit more difficult. It's difficult for the Dixie Chicks in part because they are women, and I can't really think of any women (except Madonna) who are pretty outspoken that are big cultural stars. Are there any on the level of a Neil Young, Pearl Jam, Paul Simon, U2, Dave Matthews, Kanye West, Green Day, etc?
6 comments:
you're going to get lists of dozens of women. here's a start. sinead o'connor, melissa ethridge, the indigo girls, sarah mclachlan (lillith fair), angelina jolie (she could be the next audrey hepburn or princess di in a social activism sense), and i don't know if you want to consider oprah an entertainer, but she has used the popularity of her show to improve the lives of others in many ways. besides writing one children's book, madonna barely makes my list as an entertainer who's concerned with any social issues. maybe i just don't follow her very closely. i also heard something good on the topic of giving yesterday. it's a sermon so it's kinda long, here's the link, i hope it works:
http://interface.audiovideoweb.com/lnk/nj45win9664/fumcfw/fumcftwser0716.wmv/play.asx
http://www.webcasting.com/fumcfw/
Service of Sunday, July 16, 2006, "Where's Justice?", Rev. Brooks Herrington
I am an idiot and you have called me on it. Thanks. Those are great, bold women and I can't believe I didn't think of them. My justification for Madonna is based on her last album "American Life" but I can see where you are coming from.
you are definately not an idiot. i didn't want to call you on anything, i just wanted to answer your question. i think your blog is different from a lot of people's because you ask questions in it, and i like that. it's not all just your opinion about everything. i don't think you should have to think of every possible answer before you ask a question. like you said on here recently, lighten up people! but i knew this one was going to get some fiesty comments :)
The Dixie Chicks stand out because most of their fan base is/was conservative and support the current administration. They had a lot more to lose by what they said than most entertainers do which in turn made me more interested in what they have to say.
Don't forget Sheryl Crow...
Post a Comment