Re: Kinky Jewish Music

[Klezcorner <Klezcorner...>]

In a message dated 1/29/99 7:38:15 AM, you wrote:

<<"Ride Em Jewboy" are just two examples.

Also, as a Jewish musician/writer, Kinky also is important.  While some may
cringe at the image he presents, Kinky holds himself out as a no-holds barred
Jew in cultural life, and even works with explicitly Jewish content.  He isn't
embarrassed or quiet. >>

If he isn't embarrassed, maybe he should be, because I am. I don't see
anything "Jewish" in any song that contains "Jewboy" in the title. This word
is as offensive as "Kike", or "Yid".I am sometimes quite surprised by the
number of young Jews who have never been exposed to overt Anti-Semitism.  If
you have ever experienced it, you know there is nothing in the word "Jewboy"
that has any positive connotation at all. Unfortunately, too many young Jews
today consider it "anti-Semitism" when they don't get payed "Time and a Half"
for working on Yom Kippur.

I find the song title "They Don't Make Jews Like Jesus Anymore" repulsive when
written/performed by a Jewish "artist".  Why does a Jew have to explain
anything "Jewish" in a Christian context.  I'm sure most of us have heard
Chanukah explained by Jews as "The Jewish Christmas". The Jew who explains
Chanukah as the "Jewish Christmas" is not only as ignorant as the Gentile-who
at least has a reason for not knowing what Chanukah is-but is also a fool for
perpetuating this ignorance.
As far as Kinky "holding himself out as a no-holds barred Jew...", I guess
that's what he was doing when he appeared on "The Larry King Show" wearing his
T-shirt with the large picture of Jesus on the front.

Though they are EXCELLENT musicians, I find the Klezmatic recording
titled"Jews With Horns" very offensive. For the longest time, I wouldn't even
put it in the store.The title of the CD with the cover showing the statue of
David with horns is also trivializing an age old anti-Semitic stereotype.
Unless you have had the personal experience, with people who were you friends,
tell you that you are The Devil once find that you are Jewish, then you don't
know what "Jews With Horns" really means-regardles of how many books you have
read on anti-semitism.The fact is, that the title(with it's connotation) has
nothing to do with the music-the quality of the music stands on it's own
merit. That makes it even more tragic: hitting a nerve to sell CDs? "Anti-
semitism meets Madison Ave."??? This is not to detract from their talent, the
Klezmatics are excellent musicians, but was that title really necessary?
Unfortunately, there are other Jewish groups who are also looking for
attention with 'clever' names for the 'shock' value...that's a real shame.

Naturally, everything I have stated here are my personal feelings and I'm sure
there are those who will disagree with me. I will however say that my feelings
are not based on books or films I have read or seen on Anti-Semitism, but on
my personal experiences. I cannot give you 1 good reason why I feel this way,
but I can give you 6,000,000.

Sorry to take up so much space on such a personal issue.
Simon

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