Anybody watch the Grammys tonight?

Sang??

Excellent and appropriate choice of example as a vehicle for your sarcasm! Yet another example of a misguided and condescending (not to mention farcical) attempt at “helping” others.

Btw, I thought Chris Stapleton was pretty good and deserving of the recognition he got at the Grammys. I remember not long ago that popular country music was generally considered very inferior to the then current “pop”. Ironically, much country music today is leagues above most “pop” music as concerns level of song writing skill, singing and instrumental playing.

Good post, bdp24.

If you are suggesting that “true tough love” means to insist on some level of accountability, that is what I’m saying and we agree. If you are suggesting that “true tough love” means to not hold those previously oppressed accountable for negative and destructive behavior today then we disagree. Again, why now more than before? I submit it is in part because those (us) outside of their community are making too many decisions for them; a form of oppression unto itself however well intended the effort may be. The idea that there is no room for criticism because of oppression previously suffered strikes me as very condescending of those that one is trying to shield from criticism and opens too many doors for potential abuses, political and otherwise. By that logic there is no room for criticism of the very society (American) that perpetrated the oppression since that society was itself founded as an escape from oppression. I understand very well what you are saying and I admire your level of compassion. I can only speak from my personal experience and what I see around me. As a legal immigrant to this country who had to escape one of the worst possible forms of oppression (Communism) and who came here without parents and without a cent in my pocket the idea of society insisting on “helping” me beyond helping to get me on my feet would be unacceptable. Again, why now more than before?
Regards.

I could not agree more with the relevance of the history of it all and that consideration of that history and compassion for the ill effects of oppression during that history are more than warranted. However, why is it then that so many of the issues that come into play, everything from the quality of the music to the strength of values that promote success as a foil to oppression were less of a problem, not now, but at a time when the oppression was truly rampant? I don’t claim to have the answer, but given my own life experience as a minority I have learned that, ultimately, every culture has to take responsibility for movement toward something better. As concerns music, the specific topic most relevant to this thread, we are speaking of individuals who are multimillionaires and have benefitted greatly from this (in their case) “oppressive” environment. Is it possible that maybe, just maybe, it’s possible to be too compassionate?

czarivey, you are quite correct there are genuine artists of every color currently.

Here we go again, condemning the “white guy” for criticizing a culture that celebrates grotesque overt sexuality (which is anything but sexy) and minimal talent seemingly because the “stars” of that culture (in the case of the Grammys) happen to be mostly of color. Does the fact that I find it shameful that the greatness of true artists of color is not taught to young people and celebrated to serve as an uplifting example of what is possible make me “clueless”? I don’t think so. Btw, I also don’t recall anyone mentioning color before the “white guy” comments started. Isn’t that the way it often is? Just who is it that always seems to view everything through the prism of race? When more understand the answer to that question is when the culture will become better and more enlightened.

Didn’t watch it all, but did catch most of it; so I may have missed something worthwhile.  The feeling that I was mostly left with was one of embarrassment at the level of what is perceived by most music consumers to be “the best” today; and, dismay at how an entire industry continues to allow itself to be used and manipulated for promulgating an unbalanced political agenda.  A notable exception for me and a performance demonstrating true talent and honest delivery free of bs was Ben Platt singing Leonard Bernstein’s “Somewhere”.