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Cancel Culture Comes for Dad Rock
President Trump was mocked for suggesting that after tearing down Confederate statues, they would move on to statues of Washington and Jefferson. History has proven he wasn’t wrong, he merely underestimated how far the left is willing to take the Culture Wars. (The Culture Wars polite Republicans and “principled conservatives” think we should have no part of.) They came for Robert E. Lee, they came for Stonewall Jackson, and conservatives-with-dad-bods did nothing. Now, they’re coming for Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones.
The past several years have seen a reassessment of our country’s many mythologies — from the legends of the generals of the Confederacy to the historical glossing over of slaveholding founding fathers. But as we take another look at the sins of our historical figures, we’ve also had to take a hard look at our more immediate past and present, including the behavior of the creators of pop culture. That reassessment extends now to the people who wrote some of our best-loved songs. But what to do with the art left behind? Can I still love their music if I’m appalled by various events in the lives of Johnny Cash or Elvis or Jerry Lee Lewis? Or by Eric Clapton’s racist rants and anti-vaccination activism?
What I really enjoy about the column is how she plays the great left-wing game of “I’m not suggesting we should cancel all of these songs and musicians, but I struggle with their appalling racism and unacceptable attitudes toward women.” Which actually means, “I’m not suggesting we cancel them… I’m just providing a bunch of reasons for *you* to cancel them.”
Oh, by the way, as it turns out, it’s still illegal to vandalize statues sometimes. Certain statues anyway.
Published in Entertainment
Pretty sure the Stones have already disavowed “Brown Sugar.“ It will be interesting to see the extent to which some of these guys knuckle under.
And who knew Clapton was an appalling racist? All I knew was that he devoted the early part of his career to bringing to light the songs of black blues musicians.
How about being appalled by the incredibly low bar to be described this way? I have no idea what they’re talking about, but I doubt I would agree with the description.
There is some irony in the fact that figurative descendants of these types condemned rock and roll as the work of the devil, sought to censor it, and were mocked by the Boomers. Now the grandchildren of those Boomers have gotten a different type of religion to push the same old whine in a different bottle.
And you’re right. It’s cancelled because it’s “Dad Rock.” Men like it. Therefore bad.
But it’s still Democrats. Wasn’t it Tipper Gore who faced off with Dee Snider?
This is insightful, and I might suggest it’s a common approach to all sorts of “cancelling.” Some academic non-entity or blue-check journo goes on a rant, denying that they’re actually trying to destroy anyone. Then it’s the little minions who follow them who enact the cancelling.
It was the work of the devil long before she came along.
Remember being told that “It’s rock ‘n roll. It’s supposed to be rebellious and contrary.” Well?
This is how Wokesters say “Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?”
I am in 100% complete agreement with every note Eric Clapton ever played. (Fall down on my knees, raise up my right hand …)
That he seems to agree with my politics is irrelevant.
Not sure if it was Tipper or Al. But Dee Snider is smarter than both of them combined, assuming one could combine intellect.
You won’t be surprised to hear the “racist” part concerns an on-stage, drunken rant about immigration. Forty-five years ago.
I heard Clapton donated to a group of traveling musicians who protest mandates with concerts. At their shows they chant “Rock Show Riding”…
We have songs that speak directly to these neo-puritans:
I’m sure I’m missing something. I feel like getting back into my revolutionary roots these days…
The Stones move pretty well for a bunch of old guys.
They better keep moving. Some of their stuff is most likely to be cancelled.
Under My Thumb was a cancel forerunner.
Couldn’t be better news. They’ll actually make us the rock-n-roll party!
And I’m sure that hip-hop has never included ANY offensive themes.
Black good, white bad.
Squaresville, daddy-O.
Makes one long for the days of Jon Parales…
Lester Bangs?
His tweets and statements, always reacted to with horror, shock and claims of proof of multitudes of ‘isms, always turned out to be so prescient and accurate. The rest of your article is nice, but the above quote is the real story.
I seem to remember somewhere that Eric Clapton’s were paralyzed for a while after he got vax’d. Perhaps that’s why this Dad doesn’t think much of the Vax. But he needs to be cancelled anyway, because you know telling the truth ain’t allowed anymore.