Some Throw Rocks; Some Say ‘Rock On’

Who did self-appointed parent expert and PC advocate Margaret Sagarese (“Put Between Rock and a Cruel Place,” Sept. 20) think would host a live cable rap music-oriented show, the Teletubbies? Why, as an alleged expert, would she permit her child to watch it in the first place?

Sagarese forgot about one aspect of Chris Rock’s comments during the MTV Video Music Awards: They were just jokes! Let’s not forget, these aren’t helpless innocents Rock was teasing; these are professionals who chose to live--and make a fortune--in the spotlight.

What was obscene was Sagarese’s attempt to reference a few jokes with the horror of Littleton. Therein lies one of the many tragedies of political correctness: People with their own agenda attach themselves to real victims and leech off sympathy from where it is needed. Are we to assume, as Sagarese does, that teasing was equally responsible for the deaths at Littleton as those two cold-blooded, evil little murderers?

Personally, I think people should learn how to take a joke. It is a lot healthier than taking a bullet.

ALEX KASEBERG

San Diego

You and your daughter want MTV to apologize to these “artists”? The other 364 days of the year consist of MTV falling all over itself delivering this drivel to entertainment-starved teenagers--I think that’s apology enough.

But even MTV, which in its corporate self-delusion promotes itself as a beacon for teen pop culture, had to realize when it looked at the music of the year past that it had no substance from which to create video awards. Other than hard-core rap, nothing that fills MTV’s broadcast day has any street cred. Chris Rock’s humor was a face-saving way for MTV to nudge and wink at the segment of its viewing audience that’s old enough to shave, to let everyone know, “We’re in on the joke. We know this music kinda sucks. Please stay tuned until the next great musical movement, sometime in the year 2000. We hope.”

As a parent, it’s your obligation to teach your kids to be kind and respect others. Arm them with the knowledge that not all kids act in that manner, and that they may have to stand up for themselves at some point. Show them how to do that, peacefully. Several generations of kids have grown up watching the idiocy of the Three Stooges hitting each other in the head with hammers, coyotes plotting the death of roadrunners, and comedians making fun of lame musical acts--and no matter how you try to spin it, none of that had anything to do with creating Littleton, Colo. Bad parenting did.

JOHN SUSOEFF

Brea

I was relieved to read Margaret Sagarese’s comments regarding Chris Rock’s hosting of the MTV Video Music Awards. Usually I find Rock’s style of humor extremely clever, cutting-edge and hilariously delivered. His entire demeanor on the MTV awards show, however, was mean-spirited and unnecessarily cruel.

Yes, sometimes it’s very funny to be sarcastic and biting, but when you purposely humiliate people, and in this instance, without merit, it’s just not amusing.

CINDY FLAGG

Los Angeles

Sagarese’s reflections on Chris Rock at MTV include the invitation to call her “crazy” or “old-fashioned.” She is neither. She is just out of touch with theater, way out. Has she forgotten Don Rickles? Joan Rivers? Does she remember Lenny Bruce? Does she have any notion of the traditions of social criticism in theater, sometimes the only place where criticism is tolerated?

Chris Rock is not “unkind” or “racist.” He is a genius social critic coming from a long line of thinkers brave enough to use humor to send a message.

RICHARD SNEED

Laguna Beach

Racism by African Americans is no less despicable and divisive than that of whites, and those who perpetuate such racism and stereotypes must be held accountable for their actions.

Rock made a point throughout the show of denigrating and humiliating the white and Latino performers and presenters while lauding the African Americans. Had a white host made such comments when referring to any minority performers that evening, there would have been a call for boycotts, picketing and termination of contracts by the following morning. Instead, Rock’s hateful words went unchallenged.

R.E. LARSON

Los Angeles

Is the truth cruelty? Or is the truth the best way to safeguard and rescue 10- to 15-year-olds? Chris Rock was riding herd on an industry that spends more selling false images than it does making music. What do you expect a smart, insightful comic to do?

Should we all stay in our publicity-created comas, towing the party line even though we know better? Or wouldn’t Sagarese’s 15-year-old daughter, Skyler Rose, be better off understanding that she was being force-fed Britney Spears and others?

I am willing to indulge my 8-year-old niece’s whims about the Spice Girls one week and Spears the next and whoever comes along afterward. That’s because she is 8 years old. I’d be happy if she believed in Santa too. But when she is 15, I suspect that I will indulge freely in the kind of “cruelty” that Sagarese finds so troubling, lest my niece believe other, more dangerous myths. Like “You can’t get pregnant the first time.” Or “If you don’t try it, you are weak.” Or “This pill will make all your troubles go away.”

DAVID POLAND

Los Angeles

It is shameful to compare a comic throwing a few barbs at teen sensations to the devastating tragedy that occurred at Littleton. I’m sure even Sagarese’s daughter understands the vast difference. Getting laughs by teasing superstar musicians is not at all the same as the daily angst suffered by schoolchildren at the hands of other classmates across this country. The sooner parents start looking in their own backyards and start addressing their own family’s problems and the problems caused by guns and their owners and sellers, only then will we start to tackle the epidemic of violence that surrounds us.

DEAN WOLFE

Los Angeles

I heartily agree with Margaret Sagarese in her opinion of Chris Rock’s conduct during the MTV Music Awards. I am a person of color, who at 34 is a fan of the Backstreet Boys, and I did not appreciate his comments regarding them or any of the other non-black performers. Treat people the way you want to be treated yourself.

MTV is the one who needs to apologize for having such an ignorant cretin hosting its show. Next time, find someone with some class who can appreciate the diversity of the artists present, and not demean them constantly. Jennifer Lopez showed how dignified and intelligent she was throughout the show. To all the non-black performers that Chris Rock insulted: We love you just the way you are! It’s Chris Rock who needs a lesson on how to conduct himself while hosting an awards show.

URSULA JOHNSON

Camarillo

If anyone should apologize, it should be the likes of Britney Spears and ‘N Sync for having the foolishness to once again try to sell their lip-sync stylings as musical performances. Though I’ve got to admit, as singers those two acts are good dancers.

What the Colorado shootings have to do with this I’m not sure. But until someone can explain to me the harm of being honest, which is at the core of Chris Rock’s comedy, I will continue to celebrate those musical acts that are able to perform live in front of an audience.

BOB EVANS

Valley Village