Is John Mellencamp just exploiting the Jena issue?

Question

http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Music/10/06/jena.six.mellencamp.ap/index.html

Personally, I think he's just an old washed up musician who is riding on the coattails of controversey in hopes of sparking public interest in his career. If he really cared about such issues, he could have been writing about the atrocities in Darfur or the myriad of other social issues around the country and the globe. I'm so sick of contrived crap like this.

Buttercup, I understand your position, but I actually have done a great deal for third world countries through my local church over the years, including a few years spent in India. Have I done anything for Jena 6...uh..no. ;-) Maybe I should write a song about it and make some money from it like good ole Mellenman!

Answer 1

so you're mad at him because he didn't write about something you WANT him to write about, or that has been in the news for a longer amount of time? Maybe this incident is just something that inspired him. Such a prime example of how racism is still around in this country even though we all claim we're land of the FREE and such. On his website he explains it isn't to attack the people of Jena, and the meaning isn't strictly for the town of Jena but the fact that racism still exists in the country.

Answer 2

I know mine won't be the popular answer, but obviously you aren't too familiar with Mellencamp's work. He has many songs that deal with the social issues around the country and the globe. The song Rain on the Scarecrow describes the plight of the family farmer. Ever heard of Farm Aid? He's one of the founders and a regular performer.

A few more examples in his songs:

Love and Happiness: War, poverty
Jackie Brown- Poverty
Rodeo Clown- War
Cuttin Heads- Racism
Peaceful World- Racism
Walk Tall- prejudice
Jim Crow- Racism
Rural Route- Crystal Meth epidemic

I am sure if he's able to make some money off of his new album he's not going to be crying about it, but did he pick this issue out of the air for that sole intent? I think not.

Another thing about Mellencamp, he says what is on his mind and really doesn't give a crap what anyone else thinks. I may not agree with all of his views, but I have to admire him for that.

Answer 3

Mellencamp, no better than Al Sharpton and/or Jesse Jackson (who has since distanced himself from the Jena debacle) is hawking for media attention for a cause he really has no business making any involvement in.

Contrived crap indeed!!! Mellencamp IS washed up.

Music, art and politics never really mixed well, as history has shown us: you'd think Mellencamp would have by now realized this.

Answer 4

I hardly think Jena 6 is a marketing bonanza. It is already largely ignored by people outside the black community.

While I am not a fan of his nor am I a fan of musician activists in particular, my question to people who put down other people's efforts is:

What have YOU done for Darfur, Jena 6, or any other injustice?

Not meaning to be snarky, since I'm not up for any Nobel prizes myself. I tend to stick to that "glass houses" ideology. Unless I've done a better job myself, I don't judge how other people have handled an issue.

Answer 5

I am surprised that he wrote a song like that. I cant imagine why anyone would want to write a song and video like that without the facts of the situation. The worse thing is , Melloncamp has never been to Jena. I was never a fan of his but I imagine that one song lost many fans for him.

Answer 6

I concur with your position. Most of the lyrics and the video are just out and out lies. He didn't care enough to find out what was really going on, and sadly, there will be others who believe what he says without trying to find out what really happened, themselves. Whatever happened to artists who cared enough to write about the important things, like war and poverty? Instead, now we have losers writing about things that don't even matter. Sadly, it's a sign of the times.

Answer 7

He's just an old man with a song to sing. When a song is in your heart, you just have to let it out!

Answer 8

pink properties...Small city......i like practically each and every person of his songs hes one in all my Favorites!!! Him and Neil Diamond..The Animals I even have way too many to count type yet hes on the suitable of the record!!!!!!!!

Answer 9

Who cares about Jenna Louisiana????

I know I do not.

The whole state is infested with disease and pollution.

As far as the noose and the beatings - thats life.

Blacks and whites will never get along - it was never meant to be.