Closing, Still Open

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MGRkNTViMjQzYzhlNGRiMTQwZDY2MDVkNWY5YWM5MWY=

This article is a speech given at Princeton University during a 2007 conference honoring the 20th anniversary of Allan Bloom’s The Closing of the American Mind. The main focus of this article is the effects that Rock, Rap, and Hip Hop music has had on American culture. The speaker makes note of the 40th year edition of Rolling Stones and talks about how the Rock artists from the sixties have altered their perspectives. The changing views of these artists seem to have evolved with the emergence of Rap. Within this article, there is a definite lack of respect for many art forms. Martha Bayles, the author of a similar book focused on popular music, addresses modern art forms as being perverse. Her reference to Dada and Surrealism struck a nerve because both of which I would argue as having extreme value. An explanation of Bloom’s background at Cornell is given which helps define his traditionalist vision. Not having a full understanding of what had happened with the Affirmative Action, the additional reference was beneficial. It is obvious that the speaker sides with Bloom and his conservative platform as his last comment does nothing less than place him on a pedestal.