I tried to write a witty headline, but it just sounded dirty.
As my previous entries show, I’m a sucker for protests that combine political awareness with nudity. That’s why I’m completely enthralled and want a poster of this upcoming Entertainment Weekly cover (Suggested nudity, not safe for uptight work places).
For those of you who want to get an idea of what the cover looks like and are checking it out in a space that feels nudity has no place near the human body, here’s a significantly censored version of the image.
John Ashcroft doesn’t want you to click the Short, Sassy One’s face – even if you’ll only see the censored picture
As far as their new album goes, it’s about as good as modern country gets – taking a turn from the mass-produced pop/pap of commercial country radio and going back to a more roots, folksy sound.
Of course, the cover (which I really do want a poster of, by the way) isn’t about their new album. No, it’s all about the political fooferall surrounding Maines’ (the Short, Sassy One) comment that they were embarassed that Bush was from Texas.
As you may recall, many copies of Home went up in flames following those remarks.
I don’t know what to think of this, honestly. I’m starting to think that the long, sordid story of the Dixie Chicks’ venture into Susan Sarandon territory is an example of how inaccurate reporting can be in its very nature – you aren’t there, so you have to depend on the report, which has to fit into a certain space. Especially if it’s just “Entertainment News”.
Let’s review, shall we?
On March 10, the Dixie Chicks performed a concert in London as part of their European tour. During the concert, Natalie Maines made the comment that the Chicks were ashamed that President Bush was from Texas.
(What wasn’t reported was the bit that followed immediately of – “But you know we support the troops 100 percent”.)
Then there was the backlash. CD burnings, bannings from radio stations, hate mail, Death Threats[!], protest slogans, and one thing I’m still not certain I’m understanding correctly – Dixie Chick stompings (where, apparently, people paid for a baby chick in a Dixie cup that they would promptly… stomp. You’re kidding, right?). This, of course, got a lot of news coverage.
Then there was the backpedaling. The Chicks apologized. Which, frankly, disappointed me. It was reported that they apologized to the President and to their fans.
Now, I’m wondering – because of This report from Yahoo! News, which suggests that the Chicks apologize for using “disrespectful” language, but not for taking a stand against the war or Bush’s policies.
So, what does all this mean? Are the chicks backpedaling publicity hunters? Are they misunderstood peace activists who made a few hasty statements and now want to tone down the inflammatory rhetoric in the hopes of being understood? Or are they people who want peace and are at the mercy of a corporate machine that drives modern pop music and works off of focus groups to do their damage control?
Frankly, who cares? I’m glad to see them saying things now like, “Am I sorry that I asked questions and that I don’t just follow? No.” (Maines). I was disappointed to hear that they apologized for their original statements. But, in the end, they’re minor players in the peace movement.
What’s more important is the reaction that they faced within their public. Good Goddess, these are people with opinions, just like the rest of us. And they’ve been given the public stage to make their statements. For years, paparazzi, gossip columnists, fan clubs, and celeb-stalkers alike have defended unscrupulous practices with the statement that celebrities “give up their right to a private life” in exchange for celebrity status. But now that they actually voice an opinion, they’re supposed to keep it to themselves?
And this is America, fer cryin’ out loud in da mud, now. We express our opinions, and we have a right to do so. You cannot logically say “So-and-so is fighting for your freedom, so shut up.” If people are really fighting for our freedom, then we have no right to be silent. Too many people have fought and bled and died for that freedom. Too many patriots have fallen in battle to defend our right to speak our minds for us to shut up now. If you agreed with the war, say so. If you disagreed with the war, don’t let yourself be silenced. This is freedom.