Volume 9 – #11 – November 2006

Behold the power of words! They can really twist things around, especially one word in particular. It starts with an “N” and rhymes with bigger. Don’t’ freak out. Somehow, I learned, when I was, like, five years old, to never, ever use it. Michael Richards (ex-Kramer, the exclaimer, from the TV show, SEINFELD) was reminded that white people simply cannot address black people with that certain word. And there’s really no equivalent to it in the volatile world of ethnic slurs, because, at one time, most white people were fine with enslaving all black people. That’s evil enough, so why add insult to injury by talking badly about those you’re harming already. Maybe karmic self-hate over this attitude covered white folks in so much guilt that demeaning blacks helped them somehow justify their prejudice. In the larger picture I also wonder if we’re all getting a lot worse at concealing our true, despicable selves. And it appears, sometimes, that no one really knows what he or she believes anymore. We’re like billiard balls, bouncing off one wall of the table and then another and without the sense of being centered, our dark sides inevitably creep closer to the surface. Perhaps we’re all capable of anti-social behavior on a shocking scale. Me against you! Why are we feeling so desperate? The videotape of Michael Richards losing it at an establishment called, ironically, The Laugh Factory, is almost as hard to watch as the stage curtains catching on fire at that rock club in Rhode Island a few years ago. Comedy Clubs are pretty weird places, anyway, yet they must be relevant to the times. I guess sparring with the audience is part of your average comic performer’s show these days and, apparently, no one told Mr. Richards. But maybe we’re all getting dangerously close to the boiling point. The land of milk and honey is a frustrating utopia for a lot of people. As Americans, we have the drive to achieve built into our genetic code, even as opportunities are obviously dwindling. Insane is becoming the new sane as the desperation builds. There’s no hope, is there? So, let’s accept that as fact. Abandon hope. Start over with a new plan. 2006 is winding down. Why not start fresh in January, 2007. Democrats have reclaimed both houses of Congress. President Bush finally seems so devoid of confidence, that maybe humility and rational thinking will follow. And one more thing about that word that rhymes with “bigger.” I wonder if it would be possible to deflate its strength; to make its impact weaker? To begin with, I suggest that we start making distinctions between “hate” rhetoric and “stupid” rhetoric. Negative stereotyping, although unacceptable in many situations, may not be the equivalent to hate. It’s actually closer to stupid. But it should be okay to engage in non-judgmental stereotyping. Cultures are, understandably, proud of certain things that define them uniquely and I see nothing objectionable when those outside of a certain cultural recognize its unique qualities. Everyone on the planet, individually, and as a group, have strengths and weaknesses. People that live by an ocean are probably better swimmers than mountain folk. Brave Combo gets to explore, as part of our job requirement, musical things that separate one genre from another. They’re all cool. Salsa from Cuba and Puerto Rico is as groovy as Chicago-style Polish or South Texas Tejano polka, which is as wonderful as American blues and jazz, which have nothing over traditional Greek or South African music. There’s plenty of room for modern trance dancehall disco, as well as Appalachian spirituals. One can enjoy Japanese AND Okinawan sounds. Rave on or two-step. I don’t care. One time we were in Sweden and I asked some fans at a show who the hippest people in Scandinavia were. They said the Danes were. The same thing happened in Finland. And in Denmark, the Danes agreed. But it was interesting that these opinions were stated just as facts. There was no judgmental edge at all from anyone. And it doesn’t matter if it’s true. How can anyone really say something definite about such a subjective thing? It was one of those silly things Americans ask people from other countries. But, the matter-of-fact responses were refreshing and have stayed with me. You know, all borders are going away. This really is one world and what happens in Iraq actually does greatly affect humans 10,000 miles away. Throwing out a wide net of tolerance is all that makes sense. Don’t use inflammatory words and, just as important, don’t react to inflammatory words. Take the power away from expressions that only exist to inflict pain and encourage hate. Boy, am I a dreamer. This reminds me of a joke I just made up.

A comic was doing his routine at the Chuckle Parlour when suddenly an audience member yelled, “You’re a has-been and you suck!” The comic noticed that the heckler was black and screamed the “N” word at him several times. The heckler yelled back, “If you call me the “N” word again, I’ll blow your face off.” The audience roared with laughter, and as the comic took a bow, he invited the heckler on stage to take a bow, as well. As the white comic and the black heckler embraced the audience erupted in applause and rose to its feet. Later on, over drinks, the comic gave the heckler $50 and said, “Okay, tomorrow night call me an ugly has-been and I’ll throw a drink at you before using the “N” word.” That’s showbiz.

Speaking of showbiz, Brave Combo will be appearing with the Richardson, Texas Symphony Orchestra on Saturday January 20, 2007. Make your plans now to attend. Pick out your clothes and decide where you’ll eat before the concert. Expect the unexpected and alert the neighbors. We hope to keep you on the edge of your seats. To be honest we hope you fall out of your seats and roll down the aisles.

But first, let the Christmas music begin! Well, it’s time to blow the dust off “Oh, Holy Night (Cha Cha Cha),” “Must Be Santa (Polka)” and “Feliz Navidad (Cumbia).” Our repertoire swells by about 20 songs during December every year and they all pack a mighty punch for about a month. But by New Year’s Eve it’s time for them to go. They’re like Valentine candy; sweet, pretty, exciting, familiar and easy to o.d. on. But for now, join us in our over-indulgencies.

And speaking of the holiday season, consider giving fewer “gifty” gifts to your friends and family this year, especially if it appears they don’t really need more stuff, and donate to some charitable causes that will help ease someone’s suffering and add a little stability to our challenged planet. But above all, be nice.