So. I was driving down the street a few days ago and Led Zepplin's "Whole Lotta Love" came on and I was jamming out and singing along when it occurred to me that this song was written by Muddy Waters. Led Zeppelin fans would probably say this was more homage than rip off, but how much classic rock was just white guys ripping off black artists? How much did classic rock profit off music that didn't belong to its artists? How much did classic rock fail to give credit where it belonged?
And let's not even get started on Elvis. Or how very many people really think that Rapture by Blondie was the first rap song.
 |
| This is really apropos of nothing - I just think she's so fabulous even if she didn't, sigh, invent rap |
Another thing: I was, as I am prone to, fondly remembering a moment with my dear, departed father. My brother and I were in high school (Nolan may have been in the early days of college) and my dad told us this story about an econ class he took in college where the professor talked about how women controlled 43% of the wealth in the country. And then my dad laughed and said "but they control 100% of the pussy."
When I was 16 or so I thought it was hilarious. There was my dad saying "pussy" and engaging us in some adult humor.
But 32 years later it occurs to me that my wonderful father, my dear, sweet hilarious father was wasn't at all sexist and who always encouraged me in the same way he did my brother and who was so far ahead of his time in so many ways, was still OK with looking at "pussy" as a commodity separate from the woman it's attached to.
And I know - it was a joke. And I know, Robert Plant revered Muddy Waters. I know! I know! I know!
But then I start to think of all the movies from my teenage years. How many girls my own age got raped on film and I laughed and laughed?
What do we do with all this wokeness (I hate myself for the phrase, I really do). Do we have to throw away all the things we loved? Do I need to castigate my father from beyond the grave for his minor infractions?
The answer: no. Of course not. That's dumb.
The answer: you acknowledge the foibles and sins of the past, admit that "it was a different time" is inadequate. And then keep your eyes and ears open, listen to people and believe their experiences, and always try to be better.
I pretty much think the purpose of life is to always be trying to be better. And to be woke.
Seriously, you guys, what is a less obnoxious word? Help me out...
