I’m working on a music writing question and need a sample draft to help me study.
For this discussion activity, first be sure to read the Steven Van Zandt interview. How do you feel about Paul Simon’s breaking of the cultural boycott of South Africa during the apartheid era in order to make his acclaimed Graceland album? The South African government was killing people for opposing apartheid. Should he have respected the boycott, particularly as it was authorized by the United Nations and supported by most musicians? Or do you believe that his album ultimately did so much good for South Africa that we should acknowledge that it did far more good than harm and helped to bring attention to South Africa at a critical time? Do you think Simon simply was following his creative muse, which he should be free to do? What do you think of Simon’s claim (via Van Zandt) that he was interested in art, not politics? What about Van Zandt’s response? Should we ultimately concern ourselves with the music and not worry about the circumstances under which it was recorded? Today, star musicians who collect a paycheck to perform for an oppressive government or dictator usually are called out in the press or social media. Did Paul Simon get a pass? Would this have been overlooked if it happened today? Pick any of these questions or topics (one question/topic is fine) to briefly address in either a new or existing thread.
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