CNN:Dave Mathews on racism and the news media (good stuff)

[underpants]

U.S. racism 'everywhere,' says Dave Matthews

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/21/qa.dave.matthews/?imw=Y

We caught up with Matthews just as news hit the Web that former President Jimmy Carter believed racism was the root of some of the negativity directed toward President Obama in recent weeks. The 42-year-old singer-songwriter offered a unique perspective, as a man who split his childhood between the United States and South Africa during apartheid. The following is an edited version of the interview.

CNN: President Carter said he thinks that a lot of the animosity directed toward President Obama is race related.

Dave Matthews: Of course it is! I found there's a fairly blatant racism in America that's already there, and I don't think I noticed it when I lived here as a kid. But when I went back to South Africa, and then it's sort of thrust in your face, and then came back here -- I just see it everywhere. There's a good population of people in this country that are terrified of the president only because he's black, even if they don't say it. And I think a lot of them, behind closed doors, do say it.

Maybe I'm paranoid about it, but I don't think someone who disagreed as strongly as they do with Obama -- if it was Clinton -- would have stood up and screamed at him during his speech. (Shakes his head) I don't think so.

CNN: Everything has gone to such a frenzied pitch.

Matthews: I think a lot of it has to be on the press. We give the podium to a lot of people who shouldn't have the podium. The message that's delivered the loudest and in the most entertaining way is the one that we're going to put on because that's what we want. We want ratings more than we want to deliver information. That's just where the culture's gotten.

There's no way that Walter Cronkite, as a young journalist, no way Ed Murrow would be hired to do news today. Not a chance.

CNN: Because they're too low-key? Because they're not bombastic?

Matthews: Because they're thoughtful, and they're patient, and they're tying to tell you a truly balanced story. They're trying to impart information. I don't think that's the goal because it's not a good business plan. ...

Everyone's outraged all the time. Why are you outraged? There's war -- there's always been war, as long as most of us have been alive. There have always been people being abused, there's always been horrible things in the world. Why are we outraged? We should just be quiet and figure it out, and work it out together. ... There's no solution in Washington as long as people are shouting like that.

[Uzybone]

1. Many many excellent quotes

especially the part about how Cronkite would never be hired today and the part about "outrage".

[underpants]

3. A rather awkward moment for the press when he died

juxtaposed to the haircuts reading the pablum their air thin credibility was exposed

I heard Morning Joke actually whining about how they were going to have ANOTHER ceremony to honor Cronkite

[DarthDem]

2. Uh . . . Wow?

I am unabashedly not a fan of Dave's music (the SO is, but I am not a convert). I find his limited vocal range annoying and many of his songwriting hooks cloying and repetitive. "Satellite" is the only song of his that I have ever really liked, and still do.

But this sentiment on his part, and the way he expressed it? NICE!!! Sounds like this gentleman should have a column!! Talk about getting it.

[underpants]

4. I know a lot of people don't like him

some do

Here in Richmond he is basically an icon even though he (and they) live in Charlottesville.

They played at a local club every Wednesday night in the early 90's and I never went to see them.

You may not like him but his band is an honest to goodness homegrown local band made good.

in the era of ClearChannel that can't happen anymore even though Youtube has changed that a bit.

:shrug:

Personally I "get" the relaxed Virginia countryside bourboney element to his music but then I might have just had it shoved down my throat.

[JuniperLea]

5. I like him as a person...

Even though musically I consider him a wanker;)

I like Springsteen personally too, but there are only about half a dozen of his tunes I could honestly say I like.

[DarthDem]

10. Nono, I'm Like JuniperLea, Below

I think Dave without a doubt is a great person. I am just not that into his music, except for "Satellite," as I mentioned. Dave and the band were getting things going at UVa when I was at another ACC school.

Now I certainly did NOT know, until today, that Dave was such as astute political observer. Thank you for that! :-)

[dccrossman]

6. K&R

Hit the nail on the head.

[BootinUp]

7. smarter than your average singer - song writer. nt

[AspenRose]

8. I love Dave Matthews.

And yes I like his music, too!

[imdjh]

9. I have the same reaction to Dave Matthews that I do to suits and ties.

[donheld]

11. he's right on

[Arkana]

12. Did they ask Dave if he would have serenaded John & Rielle Edwards?