Mussar from MTV?
I never ever would have imagined I'd be referencing inspiration gained from MTV in an Orthonomics post. But here I am days before Rosh Hashana and this is what I'm posting. I heard about this story on talk radio this morning as I set out on my morning errands and thought I have to check it out for myself.
At the Video Music Awards, the host, Kayne West, grabs the microphone from a young country star, Taylor Swift, who at a very young age surprised everyone by winning best female video over a group of big names. She looks shocked when she receives the award, and as she begins to give her speech, West rudely interrupts her thank you speech to announce his own view that Beyonce's video is the best of all time and really steals her special and unexpected moment away. The entire thing was rather shocking. And Beyonce looks flabbergasted, although she keeps a smile on I can see her cringe beneath it all. I can only imagine the entire episode was both downright humiliating for both Taylor and Beyonce.
Later on, Beyonce is called to receive her award for best video of the year and in a show of complete class and dignity, she calls up Taylor Swift to take the spotlight.
I only hope that if I ever am privy to a modern day Kamtza-Bar Kamtza moment of public humiliation that I would have the character to try and right that wrong.
So I don't (possibly) further offend the sensibilities of any readers, I won't link to any videos, but they are all over the net and I will say that seeing Beyonce give the mic over to Taylor is a moving and a worthwhile watch.
14 comments:
Great post! Although I've heard much abouthboth singers, I don't think I know of any of their songs nor do I care to. However, I was extremely impressed with how Beyonce handled herself and my heart went out to both performers. As for Kanye, I hope he learns from this experience.
Thanks for posting this. I saw the video on CNN and agree with your observations. The lack of basic manners by some is astounding. I guess some people think that if a congressman can interupt the president during an official address without any consequences (and being touted as a hero by some) then why can't a rap star interrupt at a music awards event. Both Kanye and the congressman need to go back to kindergarten to learn some basic manners and self-control. Either that or a big time out.
(I also heard that this weekend a tennis star lost a major tournament for arguing with a referee. I can maybe understand that happening with all the adrenaline that flows during an athletic event, but she deserves a time out too so she can learn to control that adrenaline rush.)
Probably a planned MTV stunt to draw attention, but I think that this one backfired. There was no controversy, there was no shock, just general outrage that someone would bully a 19 year old girl. The part that makes it seem like a fix... if not, security would have immediately been dispatched to remove him and Ms. Swift would have given her speech. The fact that she wasn't given time because "her time was up" and nobody escorted him out makes it pretty clear that MTV approved this...
I think it is quite positive that there is pretty near 100% agreement that it's poor behavior to do this. They didn't "stoke a controversy" about the award, etc.
Now, make it a Jewish female performer accepting an award and a Jewish male performer jumping on stage to stop her from talking, and I'm sure our friends at VIN would talk about what a great defender of Tsnius it is...
To Anonymous -9/14 @ 2:55 PM--
Are you referring to the Democrats who jeered President Bush in 2004 when he spoke about Social Security reform while addressing Congress?
I'm just asking because I don't remember any of the commentators who don't like how people are insulting Obama caring much about public civility when people were insulting Bush far more personally and universally.
Shalom, Cherry Hill: Actually I was talking about people who say "someone was rude to the president I liked, so it's ok to be rude to the president I don't like." Childish tit for tat.
(BTW: I don't remember an incident in 2004 about social security, but I sure wish we had privatized social security so everyone's meager retirement safety net could now be at least 30% less. )
As I recall, the Social Security proposal was to allow workers an *option* of placing 2% of their total social security paid (perhaps employer + employee?) in private investment accounts. I would exercise the option should it ever exist. Personally, I don't believe I will see too much social security money and am planning accordingly.
SL: You may be pleased to know that according to CNN, last night kanye gave a very heartfelt apology. It is clear he recognized that his behavior was wrong and inexcusable and he was quite ashamed of himself. We don't often see true contrition and remorse from public figures, so maybe this is a good lesson in the end.
Beyond your message, which I think is quite valid, what I like about this post is that it highlights exemplory behavior by non-Jews. There's way too much Judeo-centric attitude in the frum world. There's plenty of good out "there" and we have plenty to learn from it.
Menachem, I'm glad you enjoyed the post. There is plenty to learn from in this world and as soon as I heard the story the episode of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza came to mind and I had to share.
Anonymous-I was able to see the apology and it did seem heartfelt and sincere. Nice to see going into the yomin noraim as we have to call on our own inner stregth and ask mechila from our spouses, children, and parents.
To complete the saga and the lesson on class, admitting when you are wrong and apologizing, the young singer who was interrupted by Kanye has now told the media that he called her to apologize, that we was sincere and that she accepted the apology. Learning how to accept an apology and forgive is also a timely lesson.
I also second Menachim's observations.
Classy is just a part of it! Beyonce also showed empathy and humility when she called Taylor Swift back up! I'm totally impressed.
The apology you saw was his SECOND apology... the first he posted online was more insult than apology.
Anon: Same thing happened to Bush... and Obama was in the chamber at the time (some say he was involved). At least the video proves Joe Wilson wasn't the first:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0xO-ZQSoP8
The first problem with private investment accounts for social security should be obvious to anyone who has watched what happened to the stock market in the past 13 months.
The second problem is that if we diverted part of the social security tax to private investment accounts, there wouldn't be enough funds to pay current beneficiaries.
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