Being from Illinois, I grew up reading the poems of Carl Sandburg. These works were beautiful and inspiring. I laughed while I read "Tom Sawyer" and "Huckleberry Finn"; Sam Clemons could certainly put words together. I was enrapt in "The Old Man and the Sea"; Hemingway was a genius. My Mom taught me the beauty of George Gershwin, and Cole Porter; their music is timeless. George M. Cohan had America cheering with his patriotic flag waving pride in our nation. Steinbeck, Updike and countless other American writers and artists have given us years of quality literature, which delighted and educated generations. From Elvis Presley to Garth Brooks; American musical artists have contributed to our culture in a good and positive way.
We are a nation of immigrants; Jews, Poles, Germans, Irish, Italian, Spanish, French and Slavs; Black, White, Brown and Yellow; these are all the faces of America. Every one of the groups mentioned have given something to America that we, as a nation, can all take pride in.
Our music and literature define us as a country. They reflect our values and morals through their prose and poetry. They show the world who we are.
Over the last decade or so, we have had a genre of music and writing that have made crimes like rape, murder and violent action fashionable and popular. The "rap" industry is rampant with stories of criminal behavior, sometimes ending in murder. Lyrics that call for murderous acts should not be an acceptable example of art to the American people. Music that deals with social issues is fine, but those issues should not include violent remedies to the problems that are addressed. Anarchy seems to be the solution that is offered by this type of music.
President Obama and First Lady Michelle invited a rapper-poet known as "Common" to the White House to celebrate American Prose and Poetry. "Common" is an advocate of violence against police. He has said "I hold a peace sign but I carry a gun" and "Tell the law my UZI weighs a ton"; not exactly Carl Sandburg, or Ernest Hemingway! "Common" should change his name to "Common Thug", his words are those of a street gang criminal, and have no place in the spotlight of our nation's capitol. This garbage is divisive and dangerous, it incites violence, and a steady diet of this poison will poison our entire society.
I have a question for our Chief Executive: What value does this poison have in uniting America? I don't see any upside to this trash. If Mr. Obama's goal is to polarize our nation, then he should continue to invite radical, violent and divisive people into our nation's house. Is this your strategy, Mr. President; to divide and conquer?
(I'm taking a day off tomorrow and will be back on Monday, have a great week-end!)
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