God Mother of Punk is a Rock & Roll N*gger?

November 2005, a coworker invited me to a U2 concert.  My immediate reaction was "U2? ummm, I have no interest."  However, after giving it some thought and realizing they were floor seats, I agreed to go.  Besides, I'm open to learning about new music.  So, now it's Me, My coworker, and MSG!  And, the night gets...hmmm how should I put it...interesting. First we're in line and he decides to tell me a "black joke" he heard on Seinfeld.  Fortunately, before he could get to the punchline, I give him "the eye".  You know, the "you're gonna get it when we get home" look a mother gives her child.  This causes us to argue a bit, but little did I know he was preparing me for what was ahead.  We get inside and everyone is excited about this Patti Smith lady opening up. He warns me, "You many not like this, but don't get mad."  I immediately say "it's music, how can it possibly make me mad?"  Then a crowd of 20,000 people chant...Jimi hendrix was a n*gger. Jesus christ and grandma, too. Jackson pollock was a n*gger, n*gger, n*gger, n*gger, n*gger, n*gger, n*gger, n*gger!


Now, I hear that word often, but I've never heard it like this.  For some reason, when I hear it at a Jay-Z concert, it's singing, but when I hear it at a Patti Smith concert, it's chanting. Under the circumstance, I am uncomfortable and my coworker is even more uncomfortable. Let's be real, I was one of  probably one-hundred black people, but I just knew everyone was screaming at Me. I'm watching everyone's lips and as they catch my eye, they become a little apprehensive. I can tell I'm ruining the fun :-(  But who cares! Right now, I should be able to wild out on these people and the world should understand. Wisely, I don't.  I'm outnumbered and I'm on "their" turf.  So, I clench my fist and hold my breath for what seems like the longest 5 minutes of my life.  After, my coworker attempts to explain that a "N*gger" is a person who is "outside of society."  At that moment I think, "I never thought I'd see the day when "society" actually tries to explain what the word N*gger means and really tries to identify with it."  

Since November 2005, that moment has plagued me.  I'm not sure if I overreacted or underestimated the power of music.  Besides, she's opened up for U2.  How offensive and hateful could she really be? Questioning music and morals, I decided to check her out.  Some say she rocks! I say she's a rebel. Check out her album "Horses."  The first line of the album is "Jesus died for somebody's sins, but not mine."  After you get over the shock, apprehension and blasphemy, you'll open up, understand and maybe enjoy :-/