[Zimahl]

Agreed, I thought the same way. To quote the Beatles:

We all want to change the world / But when you talk about destruction /Don't you know that you can count me out

But when you want money / For people with minds that hate / All I can tell is brother you have to wait

[king_jester]

Easy for John Lennon to say as a misogynist white man who had all the money and privilege in the world.

[Zimahl]

I don't know about misogynist but he was white and was rich from his music. Lennon was a peace-loving hippie. The lyrics from 'Revolution' aren't necessarily talking about the Black Panthers, I always felt they were talking to the times and society in general, including government.

Jay-Z is rich now too - can he not have opinions on politics/race/religion or do you also dismiss him as a misogynist black man who had all the money and privilege in the world?

[king_jester]

John Lennon can't opt out the violence society perpetuates that seeks to uphold whiteness just by writing a song about how he's not into violence. He also can't opt out of the aspects of capitalism that perpetuate racism. That is what I mean about how it is easy for him to write or lyrics like that, he will not feel the full brunt of society's affects because 1) he is a man, 2) because he is white, and 3) because he had tremendous wealth.

> Jay-Z is rich now too - can he not have opinions on politics/race/religion or do you also dismiss him as a misogynist black man who had all the money and privilege in the world?

I don't know why you bring up Jay-Z, I never said that any musician can't have an opinion. But it is easy to be about non-violence when you are not yourself the primary target of systemic, state sponsored violence.

[darkarmani]

> hat is what I mean about how it is easy for him to write or lyrics like that, he will not feel the full brunt of society's affects

Who exactly feels the full brunt of society's effects? This is starting to feel like a no true scotsman argument. I'm betting you can disqualify almost anyone from feeling the full effects.

[angersock]

Wow, if you can't see past a person's privilege, color, or economic status in order to appreciate their ideas or words, you are quite a merry little bigot.

Get off your high horse.