Comments on: The New Shape Of The Culture War :: Glenn Beck, Yosi Sergant, Van Jones, and Hip-Hop http://cantstopwontstop.com/blog/the-new-shape-of-the-culture-war-glenn-beck-yosi-sergant-van-jones-and-hip-hop/ Jeff Chang's Website Fri, 17 Dec 2010 00:16:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Lxy http://cantstopwontstop.com/blog/the-new-shape-of-the-culture-war-glenn-beck-yosi-sergant-van-jones-and-hip-hop/comment-page-1/#comment-2033 Lxy Sun, 20 Sep 2009 07:19:23 +0000 http://cantstopwontstop.com/?p=1915#comment-2033 A couple of links about Mr. "Change That You Can Believe In" himself, and what his vision of Hope and Change is really about. Obama Administration: Bushism without Bush http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eQN_3rn9CY Black is Back! A Coalition to Fight the Powers that Be – Including Obama http://www.blackagendareport.com/?q=content/black-back-coalition-fight-powers-be-%E2%80%93-including-obama A couple of links about Mr. “Change That You Can Believe In” himself, and what his vision of Hope and Change is really about.

Obama Administration: Bushism without Bush
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eQN_3rn9CY

Black is Back! A Coalition to Fight the Powers that Be – Including Obama
http://www.blackagendareport.com/?q=content/black-back-coalition-fight-powers-be-%E2%80%93-including-obama

]]> By: Center for Media Justice : Media Diversity & Mark Lloyd Resources and Links http://cantstopwontstop.com/blog/the-new-shape-of-the-culture-war-glenn-beck-yosi-sergant-van-jones-and-hip-hop/comment-page-1/#comment-2031 Center for Media Justice : Media Diversity & Mark Lloyd Resources and Links Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:02:58 +0000 http://cantstopwontstop.com/?p=1915#comment-2031 [...] The New Shape Of The Culture War :: Glenn Beck, Yosi Sergant, Van Jones, and Hip-Hop http://cantstopwontstop.com/blog/the-new-shape-of-the-culture-war-glenn-beck-yosi-sergant-van-jones-... [...] [...] The New Shape Of The Culture War :: Glenn Beck, Yosi Sergant, Van Jones, and Hip-Hop http://cantstopwontstop.com/blog/the-new-shape-of-the-culture-war-glenn-beck-yosi-sergant-van-jones-… [...]

]]> By: StageRight http://cantstopwontstop.com/blog/the-new-shape-of-the-culture-war-glenn-beck-yosi-sergant-van-jones-and-hip-hop/comment-page-1/#comment-2030 StageRight Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:46:50 +0000 http://cantstopwontstop.com/?p=1915#comment-2030 Couple things: Karl K is right about pretty much everything. You are all trying to engage him in arguments that are way outside of the actual point here. If I may... the point is: "The NEA is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing leadership in arts education." (Those aren't MY words, those are the words of the NEA's own description of itself on their website.) Can someone tell me how this conference call fits into the NEA's reason for being? If we question the appropriateness of the call, we are met with arguments like "Oh, you are saying artists shouldn't have a voice!" or "What was wrong with the call? They were just informing artists about the United We Serve campaign and focusing on a few core issues... everybody does it!" Yeah, ok... fine arguments all (sort of), but they don't address the basic point: Why in the Hell is the NEA coordinating this call? It's not their freaking job! Hey, NEA: Fund the arts! Dole out some grants! Stay out of politics! Yosi should have never been assigned to an independent agency like this... (unless the whole intention was to politicize the agency). The analogy is NOT Karl Rove going out to Hollywood and speaking to producers (a lot of good THAT did). No, the analogy is Karl Rove being appointed to the NEA and then making those speeches! It's not about what these guys did, it's the ROLES they had and the agencies they worked for when they did it. And the NEA KNOWS that... that's why Yosi got re-assigned. That's also why Yosi and the NEA obfuscated when first asked about the calls. It's exactly what Robert Lynch at Americans for the Arts is doing now... just wait for THAT shoe to drop. The NEA is about funding. When an invitation comes from the NEA to attend a call, you attend that call.. why? Because the NEA pays your bills, that's why. If the invitation for the call did not come from the NEA, no one would have bothered joining it. Get real. When a spokesperson for the NEA (whose SOLE FUNCTION is to fund arts organizations) communicates that these are issues you COULD be focusing on, well then which issues do you think any SMART arts organization might start focusing on? The NEA has influence over these organizations, they used that influence (intentionally or not) and it was wrong. You don't need to express a quid pro quo to apply pressure. Couple things:

Karl K is right about pretty much everything. You are all trying to engage him in arguments that are way outside of the actual point here.

If I may… the point is: “The NEA is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing leadership in arts education.” (Those aren’t MY words, those are the words of the NEA’s own description of itself on their website.)

Can someone tell me how this conference call fits into the NEA’s reason for being?

If we question the appropriateness of the call, we are met with arguments like “Oh, you are saying artists shouldn’t have a voice!” or “What was wrong with the call? They were just informing artists about the United We Serve campaign and focusing on a few core issues… everybody does it!” Yeah, ok… fine arguments all (sort of), but they don’t address the basic point: Why in the Hell is the NEA coordinating this call? It’s not their freaking job!

Hey, NEA: Fund the arts! Dole out some grants! Stay out of politics!

Yosi should have never been assigned to an independent agency like this… (unless the whole intention was to politicize the agency). The analogy is NOT Karl Rove going out to Hollywood and speaking to producers (a lot of good THAT did). No, the analogy is Karl Rove being appointed to the NEA and then making those speeches!

It’s not about what these guys did, it’s the ROLES they had and the agencies they worked for when they did it. And the NEA KNOWS that… that’s why Yosi got re-assigned. That’s also why Yosi and the NEA obfuscated when first asked about the calls. It’s exactly what Robert Lynch at Americans for the Arts is doing now… just wait for THAT shoe to drop.

The NEA is about funding. When an invitation comes from the NEA to attend a call, you attend that call.. why? Because the NEA pays your bills, that’s why. If the invitation for the call did not come from the NEA, no one would have bothered joining it. Get real.

When a spokesperson for the NEA (whose SOLE FUNCTION is to fund arts organizations) communicates that these are issues you COULD be focusing on, well then which issues do you think any SMART arts organization might start focusing on? The NEA has influence over these organizations, they used that influence (intentionally or not) and it was wrong. You don’t need to express a quid pro quo to apply pressure.

]]> By: looking post » Blog Archive » [Linkage] Not only do we look good, we read good too! http://cantstopwontstop.com/blog/the-new-shape-of-the-culture-war-glenn-beck-yosi-sergant-van-jones-and-hip-hop/comment-page-1/#comment-2029 looking post » Blog Archive » [Linkage] Not only do we look good, we read good too! Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:50:06 +0000 http://cantstopwontstop.com/?p=1915#comment-2029 [...] The New Shape Of The Culture War :: Glenn Beck, Yosi Sergant, Van Jones, and Hip-Hop – by Jeff Chang Are you mad yet? You should be. Glenn Beck has now taken down Yosi Sergant, the second hip-hop activist to be targeted in the Obama administration in a week.  Last night the 34-year old communications director at the National Endowment For The Arts was asked to resign. Why? Because he was trying to organize artists to support President Obama’s national service program, United We Serve. If your next question is: so what? That was ours too. But Glenn Beck compared the effort to “Nazi propaganda”. [...] [...] The New Shape Of The Culture War :: Glenn Beck, Yosi Sergant, Van Jones, and Hip-Hop – by Jeff Chang Are you mad yet? You should be. Glenn Beck has now taken down Yosi Sergant, the second hip-hop activist to be targeted in the Obama administration in a week.  Last night the 34-year old communications director at the National Endowment For The Arts was asked to resign. Why? Because he was trying to organize artists to support President Obama’s national service program, United We Serve. If your next question is: so what? That was ours too. But Glenn Beck compared the effort to “Nazi propaganda”. [...]

]]> By: Lex Leifheit » Blog Archive » 120 Day Blog Death … and Yosi Sergant http://cantstopwontstop.com/blog/the-new-shape-of-the-culture-war-glenn-beck-yosi-sergant-van-jones-and-hip-hop/comment-page-1/#comment-2028 Lex Leifheit » Blog Archive » 120 Day Blog Death … and Yosi Sergant Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:38:21 +0000 http://cantstopwontstop.com/?p=1915#comment-2028 [...] been thinking a lot about Yosi Sergant, and reading the debate on Jeff Chang’s blog. I’ve been thinking a lot about politics, and provincialism, and wondering if it is possible [...] [...] been thinking a lot about Yosi Sergant, and reading the debate on Jeff Chang’s blog. I’ve been thinking a lot about politics, and provincialism, and wondering if it is possible [...]

]]> By: News You Can Use 9.14.09 « San Francisco Bay Area Emerging Arts Professionals http://cantstopwontstop.com/blog/the-new-shape-of-the-culture-war-glenn-beck-yosi-sergant-van-jones-and-hip-hop/comment-page-1/#comment-2027 News You Can Use 9.14.09 « San Francisco Bay Area Emerging Arts Professionals Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:22:31 +0000 http://cantstopwontstop.com/?p=1915#comment-2027 [...] The New Shape Of The Culture War :: Glenn Beck, Yosi Sergant, Van Jones, and Hip-Hop http://cantstopwontstop.com/blog/the-new-shape-of-the-culture-war-glenn-beck-yosi- sergant-van-jones... [...] [...] The New Shape Of The Culture War :: Glenn Beck, Yosi Sergant, Van Jones, and Hip-Hop http://cantstopwontstop.com/blog/the-new-shape-of-the-culture-war-glenn-beck-yosi- sergant-van-jones… [...]

]]> By: Links & Listens: Glenn Beck’s Latest Victim, Hurricane Ike Anniversary, and More « Spin the Truth http://cantstopwontstop.com/blog/the-new-shape-of-the-culture-war-glenn-beck-yosi-sergant-van-jones-and-hip-hop/comment-page-1/#comment-2026 Links & Listens: Glenn Beck’s Latest Victim, Hurricane Ike Anniversary, and More « Spin the Truth Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:02:37 +0000 http://cantstopwontstop.com/?p=1915#comment-2026 [...] RaceWire (the ColorLines blog) and Can’t Stop Won’t Stop, thoughts on Glenn Beck’s latest target, Yosi Sergant at the National Endowment for the Arts. [...] [...] RaceWire (the ColorLines blog) and Can’t Stop Won’t Stop, thoughts on Glenn Beck’s latest target, Yosi Sergant at the National Endowment for the Arts. [...]

]]> By: Celeste http://cantstopwontstop.com/blog/the-new-shape-of-the-culture-war-glenn-beck-yosi-sergant-van-jones-and-hip-hop/comment-page-1/#comment-2025 Celeste Sat, 12 Sep 2009 20:26:24 +0000 http://cantstopwontstop.com/?p=1915#comment-2025 Just to chime in one thing, which is the idea that the NEA or art, for that matter, can exist in a political vacuum and be completely nonpartisan. Sorry, that just doesn't happen. Art is political even if it's not trying to be. You could say that Thomas Kinkade (sorry, most people wouldn't consider him art, I know, but everyone knows who he is) is just trying to paint pretty pictures of houses. If he was funded by the NEA over a sea of artists (who make thought-provoking, compelling art that deals with more than that), I would consider it a conservative move. An attempt to stifle expression by more challenging artists who will not be able to continue their careers because they can't support themselves is conservative. A national art program that funds only Kinkades and others who paint pretty, meaningless work - that is conservative. The NEA exists because artists often can't sustain themselves on sales if they create edgier, challenging work. I want there to be a place for those artists in our society. We need them. As a follower and maker of "high art" (a baloney classification, but clarifying nonetheless), I can't stomach the idea of creating a culture in which those who challenge it are forced to bow out in favor of work that no one can be offended by. I'm sorry that you don't like where your 1/2 cent of taxpayer money to the arts is going, but come on - compared to the rest of your tax money, it's like saying the hamburger's bad because one sesame seed isn't toasted correctly. Why not own up to the fact that this is about more than the NEA - this is a CULTURE WAR. And you are on the side of repression and censorship (and bad art). Supporting art that is completely free of ANY political or social relevance IS a political stance. Just to chime in one thing, which is the idea that the NEA or art, for that matter, can exist in a political vacuum and be completely nonpartisan.
Sorry, that just doesn’t happen.
Art is political even if it’s not trying to be. You could say that Thomas Kinkade (sorry, most people wouldn’t consider him art, I know, but everyone knows who he is) is just trying to paint pretty pictures of houses. If he was funded by the NEA over a sea of artists (who make thought-provoking, compelling art that deals with more than that), I would consider it a conservative move. An attempt to stifle expression by more challenging artists who will not be able to continue their careers because they can’t support themselves is conservative. A national art program that funds only Kinkades and others who paint pretty, meaningless work – that is conservative. The NEA exists because artists often can’t sustain themselves on sales if they create edgier, challenging work. I want there to be a place for those artists in our society. We need them. As a follower and maker of “high art” (a baloney classification, but clarifying nonetheless), I can’t stomach the idea of creating a culture in which those who challenge it are forced to bow out in favor of work that no one can be offended by.
I’m sorry that you don’t like where your 1/2 cent of taxpayer money to the arts is going, but come on – compared to the rest of your tax money, it’s like saying the hamburger’s bad because one sesame seed isn’t toasted correctly. Why not own up to the fact that this is about more than the NEA – this is a CULTURE WAR. And you are on the side of repression and censorship (and bad art). Supporting art that is completely free of ANY political or social relevance IS a political stance.

]]> By: bossandnova http://cantstopwontstop.com/blog/the-new-shape-of-the-culture-war-glenn-beck-yosi-sergant-van-jones-and-hip-hop/comment-page-1/#comment-2024 bossandnova Sat, 12 Sep 2009 19:58:23 +0000 http://cantstopwontstop.com/?p=1915#comment-2024 I think I know you, Karl K! I think that you are jealous of Obama's 40 Long suits, good looks and charisma. Otherwise, why mention it? And who are you to talk about the role of artists in our society? Stop spending your time being an online troll--and leave Jeff alone. If you knew anything about Jeff, you'd know that you are not going to change his mind or the minds of the modern generation of "hip-hop" thinkers. Argue until you are blue in the face (or red?) But this generation "can't stop, won't stop". No turning back the clock! And "Poor little ol' Beck"??? I think I know you, Karl K! I think that you are jealous of Obama’s 40 Long suits, good looks and charisma. Otherwise, why mention it? And who are you to talk about the role of artists in our society?

Stop spending your time being an online troll–and leave Jeff alone. If you knew anything about Jeff, you’d know that you are not going to change his mind or the minds of the modern generation of “hip-hop” thinkers. Argue until you are blue in the face (or red?) But this generation “can’t stop, won’t stop”. No turning back the clock!

And “Poor little ol’ Beck”???

]]> By: Jeff Chang http://cantstopwontstop.com/blog/the-new-shape-of-the-culture-war-glenn-beck-yosi-sergant-van-jones-and-hip-hop/comment-page-1/#comment-2022 Jeff Chang Sat, 12 Sep 2009 17:01:40 +0000 http://cantstopwontstop.com/?p=1915#comment-2022 What's the difference between a "policy speech" and a "call to arms"? You don't convince me it's much more than ideology. And wow if that's your definition of diversity, you live in a small sad world. There are a whole lot more stories out there not being heard. There's diversity of ownership and diversity of viewpoints, and the two are linked. Beck is against both, that's why he's going after folks in the FCC who want to return localism and diversity after years of consolidation. Engagement can be interesting if both sides are willing to meet halfway. It took me a while to see that this isn't one of those situations. I blame that mushy liberal in me I'm still trying to eradicate. So hey, good luck to you and yours with future trolling. What’s the difference between a “policy speech” and a “call to arms”? You don’t convince me it’s much more than ideology.

And wow if that’s your definition of diversity, you live in a small sad world. There are a whole lot more stories out there not being heard. There’s diversity of ownership and diversity of viewpoints, and the two are linked. Beck is against both, that’s why he’s going after folks in the FCC who want to return localism and diversity after years of consolidation.

Engagement can be interesting if both sides are willing to meet halfway. It took me a while to see that this isn’t one of those situations. I blame that mushy liberal in me I’m still trying to eradicate.

So hey, good luck to you and yours with future trolling.

]]>