Getting carried away

Someone posted a very thoughtful comment on my post with all the Eminem ranting, and had some very valid points: one about considering the validity of protest music that doesn't present a solution, and another about stereotyping voters of all types. Here are some spur-of-the-moment thoughts (I'm sure I'll have more): The first one makes me think a lot. Like all protest music, the Eminem song is loaded. And the timing is telling. Somebody wants to persuade others that the Bush administration is wrong. If I didn't agree, I suppose I'd be less than thrilled. However, I do embrace the passion that's going on in this election, on both sides. It's invigorating that people care so much this time. Lord knows, I didn't use to. I find it exciting that creative people are getting involved, even if I disagree with their political viewpoint. I do disagree with Eminem on lots of things. Regarding the responsibility of artists...well, sometimes I think it's an artist's job to point toward solutions, lead the way, etc. And sometimes I think it's the artist's job to give voice to the raging howl inside, which so often has no solution - just the howl itself. Both are needed. Like "Born in the USA" -- Bruce didn't offer a solution, he just posed lots of questions. In his own way, he was just as angry as Eminem. One thing that I found exciting about Eminem's involvement was that he is, in many ways, the voice of many young people in America. To hear, through him, that many of them are listening, caring, marching, moshing, whatever...Well, that's exciting to me. I'd much rather that than have kids be numb and checked out, politically. The flower children of the 60s didn't often have solutions either, but they made their voices heard. I'm glad voices are getting heard. Just last night, I watched a really exciting show on BET where real people talked passionately, but respectfully, with each other about the issues in this election. I loved it! Why isn't that dialogue more acceptable, encouraged and prevalent in all of our society? Dunno. Now, about stereotyping voters. You got me on that one: I was surprised by the photo of (what I assume to be) a redneck-looking woman passionately holding up a Kerry/Edwards sign. I'm wrong to judge people by their looks, and glad to be reminded of that. But I won't give up my pleasure at the woman's defiant, passionate expression. Because of my own political viewpoint, I am glad that salt-of-the-earth people who (I feel) are being maltreated by this administration are getting angry about it, and excited about the possibility of change. And I guess that's also how I feel about Eminem and the kids out there -- because I feel their future is being compromised, I'm glad to see they're getting uppity. That said, it's all only my p.o.v. (Which is okay--this is my blog.) Your mileage may vary. Hopefully so. And yes, we should all vote our consciences. Thanks to the anonymous commenter for offering me an opportunity to further examine mine.