» 2007 » November Notes From D.R. | Random Thoughts on the Passing Scene

I remember the first time I saw a photo of Sheryl Crow. It was 1987, and I was flipping through a copy of Star Magazine when I came across an article about Crow supposedly having an affair with a married musician on Michael Jackson’s Bad tour (she was a backup singer for Jackson at the time). Crow was pictured singing with Jackson; she had a typical ‘80s hairstyle and wore a silver outfit. I thought she was one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen.

When Crow became a major star on her own in the mid-1990s, I was happy for her; whenever I heard “All I Wanna Do” on the radio, my mind immediately went back to the first time I saw a picture of her and the wonderful memory of that moment. To this very day, I think about that photo whenever I hear that particular song.

It’s a bit odd for me to be a Crow fan. In 1998, Crow was one of the most prominent celebrities opposed to President Clinton’s impeachment; four years later, she loudly protested President Bush’s plans to liberate Iraq. I actually felt a little embarrassed for her when she made that ill-advised remark earlier this year about limiting toilet paper use to protect the planet.

I want to like and hate Crow at the same time. I think she is a brilliant musician who supplies artistry to a music industry that seems to despise creativity. I also think she is somewhat self-righteous in her views.

It isn’t easy to simultaneously embrace and reject certain entertainers. I also grew up with a huge crush on Belinda Carlisle from the Go-Go’s—yet I find it odd that Carlisle is so fond of the extremist group PETA. (Carlisle is actually married to Morgan Mason, a former aide to President Reagan; I imagine that must have made things a little unusual in the early days of their relationship.) I always thought Winona Ryder had an almost mythical beauty—I even went to see that wretched Adam Sandler film Mr. Deeds simply because she was in it—but politically, she makes Barbra Streisand look like a Reagan Republican.

I assume this isn’t limited to conservatives. I imagine there are a few lefty fans of Bo Derek and Shannen Doherty who have a tough time dealing with both actresses’ support for the GOP. However, due to the political imbalance in the American music and film industries, conservative fans of certain entertainers face a struggle most progressives can’t really relate to.

It’s virtually impossible to completely separate oneself from the influence of the entertainment industry. Conservatives revere excellence, so it shouldn’t be surprising that many folks on the center-right are fans of extremely talented, though extremely liberal, entertainers. This is why conservatives get so annoyed when these entertainers start bashing those with red-state political views.

Lots of Republicans bought tickets to Tom Cruise’s movies over the years, so they’re mystified when Cruise appears in Bush-bashing films such as Lions for Lambs. Many of the folks who voted for Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford in the ‘70s also bought Eagles albums during that era, so they can’t be too happy whenever lead singer Don Henley goes on an anti-GOP rant.

One can’t reasonably expect all of these entertainers to keep their mouths shut about politics. The least we can ask them to do is to acknowledge that there are people of good will who might come to different conclusions. Does Crow really believe that everybody who voted for Bush is a dope? What about those of us who are fans of her music and his politics?

While some on the right rag on left-wing entertainers, there are other conservatives who, while disagreeing with these entertainers’ views, nevertheless appreciate that these performers are concerned with more than just money and fame. It’s a good thing that Crow and her fellow entertainers are interested in the world around them. The problem arises when they act as though those who have differing views are either uneducated, bigoted or mean-spirited.

Conservatives often complain that liberals, who theoretically support “tolerance”, are often highly intolerant of those who disagree with them. Wouldn’t it be something if Crow and other entertainers decided to prove conservatives wrong? Could you imagine how shocking it would be if an actor or singer said that there are intellectually honest people who disagree that mankind is primarily responsible for climate change, or that there are decent-minded people who sincerely believe that the Iraq War will ultimately lead to a more peaceful Middle East? These actors and singers might end up being left off the guest list at more than a few Hollywood parties, but there would be such a change in the way the red states viewed these entertainers…and in Crow’s own words, a change would do them good.

Posted by drtucker

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