tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15240575.post699802669388011332..comments2024-02-05T17:15:59.703-06:00Comments on hawgblawg: Beyoncé vs. Islamism?Ted Swedenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05355038670178440138noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15240575.post-35313686804873529012008-10-02T15:39:00.000-05:002008-10-02T15:39:00.000-05:00The moment a symbol of rebellion is made official ...The moment a symbol of rebellion is made official policy, it ceases to be a symbol of rebellion.<BR/><BR/>Russians and Soviets were looking to emulate how Americans and West Europeans rebel against, not how to conform with, official good behaviour.<BR/><BR/>People should stop saying that the Government should do what people themselves should do. American and European hip-hoppers and rappers should target some of their music towards Africa, Asia & mid-East. They should incorporate some African, Asian (south and fareast Asia) and Arabic words, styles and rhythm in their music.<BR/><BR/>American and West European artistes talk about "peace to the world" but are unwilling to have their music talk to the world because there is not much money to be made.<BR/><BR/>It's not the Government. It's always the People. If there is any issues to be resolved - Government solutions would only contribute towards 20% effects - the rest rests on the People.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15240575.post-3982733145869900422007-01-17T16:59:00.000-06:002007-01-17T16:59:00.000-06:00http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/worldmusic/a4wm2007/au...http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/worldmusic/a4wm2007/audience_award.shtmlShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04114331934151453079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15240575.post-9931836301585021002007-01-03T17:36:00.000-06:002007-01-03T17:36:00.000-06:00It's not that I don't think that Western music has...It's not that I don't think that Western music has no influence, and perhaps it's true that Middle Easterners have more access to Western pop music today. What I think is silly is Russell's suggestion that the Bush administration should support the dissemination of rap music and Beyoncé in the hope that this would further the struggle for democracy in the Middle East. Such US government support would HURT rap and Beyoncé, given how abysmal the standing of the US government is in the Middle East. Better to let US pop music simply circulate via mass media mechanisms and not to try to use it as a tool of foreign policy objectives. In addition, I don't think that there is any necessary correlation between Midddle Easterners who like Beyoncé and Lionel Ritchie and Middle Easterners who support US foreign policy; it's quite easy to love Lionel and hate US support for Israel. In addition, I think that Russell makes TOO MUCH of the possible effects of US pop music. It wasn't jazz that toppled Communism in the Soviet Union, although some Russian jazz fans might have been involved in the process. Let's not give music so much agency and power. Finally, I think Russell gives too much credit to Beyoncé and all in fostering "subversive" musical and cultural trends in the Middle East and Islamic world. For instance, I don't believe that Beyoncé's dance moves are the inspiration for Inul Daratista's "drilling" dance--I've seen no evidence to support this.Ted Swedenburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05355038670178440138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15240575.post-3494974896979654092006-12-30T10:10:00.000-06:002006-12-30T10:10:00.000-06:00Not a silly argument at all, Thaddeus Russell rais...Not a silly argument at all, Thaddeus Russell raises an excellent point here in that music has the power to unite and even helps to offset the heterogeneity of the middle east. After reading "Islam in the Mix: Lessons of the Five Percent" (which was an excellent read by the way) I am somewhat surprised YOU would underestimate the power of music to unite people and influence cultures. Yes it's true that they've been listening to "popular music" for decades but their access has always been somewhat limited.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com