Music Reflects Our Materialistic Society

Re “Modern Lyrics Look for Love in All the Wrong Places,” Commentary, Oct. 23: Michael Freedman raises some provocative issues about the current state of music aimed at youth. But it galls me to have this whitewashed American nostalgia raised whenever today’s young people are confronted with their rebelliousness. Freedman mentions the crooning of Frank Sinatra as a symbol of true love reflected in popular music. But let’s be real. Sinatra was closely aligned with the most notorious gangsters and killers of his day. Violence is as American as apple pie.

From the slave trade, to genocide against the Indians, to the Civil War and Vietnam, violence, springing from an abundance of greed and a lack of true love, permeates American society. I have three sons who all love hip-hop music. Many of the songs they listen to and produce are full of the love that Freedman mentions. Let’s remember, hip-hop is a multibillion-dollar industry with many complex components. Unfortunately, the few outrageous knuckleheads and their rich promoters get undue focus and airplay. The bottom line: We live in an extremely materialistic society that has always been that way. The music we hear is not necessarily what reflects the true values of our youth, only what makes the most money! God help America.

AMANDILO MMELIKA-COUSIN

Beverly Hills

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How refreshing to find a commentary from a 19-year-old who has powers of discernment that he can so masterfully articulate. Would that his generation and the parents of the same know as well as he what to buy into and what to discard by way of values. The G.B. Shaw aphorism that “youth is wasted on the young” has had its cynicism severely challenged.

NOD MULVILLE

Pacific Palisades

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Note to Freedman: If you really believe what you say about harmful effects of popular music on youth and society, then why do you continue to listen to it? And labeling the music industry’s indifference as “insensitive” is hardly a condemnation. How about calling its actions and attitudes unethical, immoral or wrong? But wait. Those words might make you feel uncomfortable. You might even feel that you should stop listening.

ROBERT McVERRY

Laguna Hills