OPINION:
I am very disappointed in the White House for its tasteless decision to invite rapper Common to a poetry celebration hosted by the president and his wife (“Spokesman defends decision to invite rapper,” Politics, Thursday).
Popular music is aimed at the masses and, ultimately, has to be described as the cult of the banal. It is the expression of elemental passions, and at rock festivals it assumes a cultlike character. It is, in fact, a form of worship, in opposition to Christianity. People experience a release by being part of a crowd and from the emotional tug of rhythm, noise and special lighting effects.
Apart from its profane lyrics, rap music is condescending in nature, projecting rhythmic elements of braggadocio and ritualized insult. Rap, which celebrates violence and gratuitous sex, was largely influenced by rock music. Is this the kind of negative attitude our president wishes to impress on our youth today?
PAUL KOKOSKI
Hamilton, Ontario
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