Miami’s Community Relations Board is asking that the city’s police department turn over all its records of a controversial program which monitors and investigates local rappers and other members of the hip-hop community. The department acknowledged earlier this month that it has been specifically keeping tabs on rappers, leading to charges of institutional racism. The police claim that it makes good sense to keep files on artists who make their living rapping about violence, crime, and hatred of law enforcement.
Tag: 03.25.04
Fear Vs. Free Expression
When college writing instructor Jan Richman first read the horrifying tale of sexual violence and murder that one of her students handed in last fall, she was taken aback by its gruesome detail and terrifyingly unsympathetic tone. But being a teacher, she chose to address the story in literary terms with her class, and to use it as a way to discuss the difference between gratuitous repulsiveness and violent imagery in the service of literature. But “before the week was out, the student was expelled and sent home, the instructor was fighting for her job, and many students and faculty were left wondering about issues of artistic and academic freedom in the post-Columbine era of heightened fear over student safety.”
Poet Wanted. For What, We’re Not Sure.
Canada needs a new national poet laureate. Yawn. So who doesn’t? These days, it seems like every city, county, province, state, and regional confederation of boroughs has its own poet tasked with… well, what exactly are poet laureates supposed to do, anyway? The requirement that an official poet spend her/his time composing odes to the glory/beauty/strength of whatever geographical area is providing the employment are long gone, but the old restrictions have never really been replaced with new ones. Consequently, Canada’s next poet laureate can more or less write her/his own rule book – that is, if anyone wants the job.
Turning The Tide (Maybe) in Tampa
The Tampa-based Florida Orchestra is battling the tide of red ink that has swamped so many American ensembles in recent years, and to hear orchestra officials tell it, the group is on the comeback trail, following a difficult season in which the musicians were forced to reopen their contract early and accept a pay cut. But with one of the orchestra’s key wind principals set to leave for the more financially secure San Diego Symphony, and rumors constantly swirling that music director Stefan Sanderling is being wooed by other ensembles, it’s proving difficult for the organization to shake the taint of its recent troubles. Still, Sanderling insists that he’s in this fight for the long haul.
Damage Control
When the Long Island Philharmonic canceled the remainder of its 2003-04 season earlier this month for fiscal reasons, questions about the viability of a small-budget regional orchestra playing in the shadow of New York’s juggernaut of a music scene were inevitable. But the orchestra’s chairman insists that the arts are as valuable on Long Island as they are in Manhattan, and is calling on state and local government to increase their commitment to funding regional arts groups. Larry Austin also denies reports that the Philharmonic is in danger of permanent collapse, saying that the decision to cancel this season’s last concerts will make the orchestra stronger overall.
Industry See, Industry Do
The British Phonographic Industry apparently likes what it has seen of the techniques employed by its American counterpart in combating online music piracy. File-swapping is down in the U.S. since the industry began publicly suing individual offenders, and now, the BPI is warning UK swappers that a similar fate could befall them if they don’t curb their habit of acquiring copyrighted music without paying.
Say Hi To Electronic Paper
The first electronic paper is ready for the consumer market. “This ‘first ever’ Philips’ display utilizes E Ink’s revolutionary electronic ink technology which offers a truly paper-like reading experience with contrast that is the same as newsprint. The Electronic Paper Display is reflective and can be easily read in bright sunlight or dimly lit environments while being able to be seen at virtually any angle – just like paper. Its black and white ink-on-paper look.”
Barnes To Sell Country Estate?
Should the Barnes Foundation sell off a valuable country estate in order to raise money? “I don’t think anyone relishes the thought of selling assets. But, do you abandon a gallery and art education program… or a farm house that [Barnes] used on weekends for a few years and the sale of which would save his trust?”
Can Iraq National Museum Open In A Year?
Iraq’s culture minister says the country’s National Museum could open within a year, so that Iraqis have a chance to see the museum’s artwork before it is sent on worldwide tour. “The reopening of the museum will take place within a year to show Iraqis the treasures of Nimrod, which the people have never seen because Saddam Hussein hid them.” Progress on reopening the looted damaged museum has been slow because of security concerns.
The Rest Of The Story – BBC Listeners Get The Chance
The BBC has hired prominent writers to write first-parts of stories and will challenge listeners to complete them. “Eight novelists who will each write the first half of a short story for BBC Three. Their work will be published in a leaflet and distributed to coffee shops, libraries and on the internet. Readers will have six weeks to complete their chosen tale, with the winners showcased on BBC Three later this year.”