This is a fantastic article. Thanks for sharing, Latin!

206Michelle said:

I love the article, which I read with great interest. Thanks for sharing, Latin.

206Michelle said:

It's a nice read and definitely needed to show Prince's wide-ranging impact.

1725topp said:

There was an article/post like this about a year ago. I believe it was prior to April 21st 2016, but it could have been after(when everyone was trying to use his name to get traction for their 'writing' career... where the 'author' was trying to push Prince's Under the Cherry Moon as a significant movie of 'homosexual love' or something like that. And the person was really reaching, and not putting anything together to bring their thesis together.

.

The author here, doesn't seem to be 'really familiar with Prince's work.
.
To title #2. Prince highlighted issues of race and supported the Black Lives Matter Movement.

and then post lyrics/songs from 1995and 2009, is just extreme reaching.
.
Similiarly, when Questlove(huge Prince fan) tried to say "Prince is Hip Hop". I would think someone who is this deep into Prince would not try to lock Prince into a genre that he clearly resisted, did not get and made fun of for a period of time. He should know Prince music is 'purple music' period. Questlove was reaching... but I digress.

.

.

.

ok, um really?

The song definately fits with a New Wave rebellious drive... and definately fits in his Bohemian Apocalyptic world vision. But hardly doing what the author is saying. And it is still one of my fav to listen to.

. Prince used his songs to speak on serious social issues.

Ronnie talk to Russia before it's too late
Before it's too late
Before it's too late
Ronnie talk to Russia before it's too late
Before they blow up the world
You go to the zoo, but you can't feed guerrillas
Can't feed guerrillas
Left-wing guerrillas
You can go to the zoo, but you can't feed guerrillas
Who want to blow up the world

Ronnie if you're dead before I get to meet ya
Before I get to meet ya
Before I get to meet ya
Ronnie if you're dead before I get to meet ya
Don't say I didn't warn ya

Ronnie talk to Russia before it's too late
Before it's too late
Before it's too late
Ronnie talk to Russia before it's too late
Before they blow up the world
Before they blow up the world
Don't ya blow up my world
Don't you blow up my world

.

How Prince Became An Enduring Political Symbol

It is a nice gesture, but Prince:An Enduring Political Symbol, is not realistic.

Prince right now is still a hot topic, and coming up to the anniversary of his death, well see more 'props' to Prince, even if they don't really highlight or enlighten his artistic career.

While I do think that you are making some valid points and giving some good examples I still think the article is important because even though I disagree with some points to an extent or consider them a bit of a stretch I think it´s important to focus on Prince´s political side and his lyrics, and I´m grateful for articles such as this one because I personally enjoy reading articles that go a bit beyond his musical talent.

I appreciate articles like this one for shining some light on his political lyrics and actions and views, that´s why I liked his PBS interview with Tavis Smiley (even though I disagreed with views on chemtrails) because in that interview he also talked about political issues a bit.

I think Prince´s political side and its many incarnations over the years are an important part of him and his work. I wish this author had gone a bit further and talked about more songs and more examples but it seems this article was edited.

To me , Prince has always been political, and the political and social climate he grew up in his highly interesting with regards to his career and the social history of the USA.

One personal addition I´d make is that I think Prince´s political or spiritual reach transcended race and ethnicities. I always saw him as a very unifying artist who fought for many causes at the same time, including many issues of Black America but not limited to them.

OldFriends4Sale said:

There was an article/post like this about a year ago. I believe it was prior to April 21st 2016, but it could have been after(when everyone was trying to use his name to get traction for their 'writing' career... where the 'author' was trying to push Prince's Under the Cherry Moon as a significant movie of 'homosexual love' or something like that. And the person was really reaching, and not putting anything together to bring their thesis together.

.

The author here, doesn't seem to be 'really familiar with Prince's work.
.
To title #2. Prince highlighted issues of race and supported the Black Lives Matter Movement.

and then post lyrics/songs from 1995and 2009, is just extreme reaching.
.
Similiarly, when Questlove(huge Prince fan) tried to say "Prince is Hip Hop". I would think someone who is this deep into Prince would not try to lock Prince into a genre that he clearly resisted, did not get and made fun of for a period of time. He should know Prince music is 'purple music' period. Questlove was reaching... but I digress.

.

.

.

ok, um really?

The song definately fits with a New Wave rebellious drive... and definately fits in his Bohemian Apocalyptic world vision. But hardly doing what the author is saying. And it is still one of my fav to listen to.

. Prince used his songs to speak on serious social issues.

Prince called out President Ronald Reagan’s foreign policies and America’s involvement in the Cold War in his 1981 song, “Ronnie Talk To Russia.”

Ronnie talk to Russia before it's too late
Before it's too late
Before it's too late
Ronnie talk to Russia before it's too late
Before they blow up the world
You go to the zoo, but you can't feed guerrillas
Can't feed guerrillas
Left-wing guerrillas
You can go to the zoo, but you can't feed guerrillas
Who want to blow up the world

Ronnie if you're dead before I get to meet ya
Before I get to meet ya
Before I get to meet ya
Ronnie if you're dead before I get to meet ya
Don't say I didn't warn ya

Ronnie talk to Russia before it's too late
Before it's too late
Before it's too late
Ronnie talk to Russia before it's too late
Before they blow up the world
Before they blow up the world
Don't ya blow up my world
Don't you blow up my world

.

How Prince Became An Enduring Political Symbol

It is a nice gesture, but Prince:An Enduring Political Symbol, is not realistic.

Prince right now is still a hot topic, and coming up to the anniversary of his death, well see more 'props' to Prince, even if they don't really highlight or enlighten his artistic career.

Of course it could be important.

Even the link/topic about Under the Cherry Moon and it's possible 'gay' theme could be important.
But the delivery is rushed, and forced. I'm not talking about whether or not Prince is an enduring political symbol as much as I'm saying this is forced sloppy and because of the importance of helping Prince's legacy, this doesn't work.

KoolEaze said:

While I do think that you are making some valid points and giving some good examples I still think the article is important because even though I disagree with some points to an extent or consider them a bit of a stretch I think it´s important to focus on Prince´s political side and his lyrics, and I´m grateful for articles such as this one because I personally enjoy reading articles that go a bit beyond his musical talent.

I appreciate articles like this one for shining some light on his political lyrics and actions and views, that´s why I liked his PBS interview with Tavis Smiley (even though I disagreed with views on chemtrails) because in that interview he also talked about political issues a bit.

I think Prince´s political side and its many incarnations over the years are an important part of him and his work. I wish this author had gone a bit further and talked about more songs and more examples but it seems this article was edited.

To me , Prince has always been political, and the political and social climate he grew up in his highly interesting with regards to his career and the social history of the USA.

One personal addition I´d make is that I think Prince´s political or spiritual reach transcended race and ethnicities. I always saw him as a very unifying artist who fought for many causes at the same time, including many issues of Black America but not limited to them.

OldFriends4Sale said:

There was an article/post like this about a year ago. I believe it was prior to April 21st 2016, but it could have been after(when everyone was trying to use his name to get traction for their 'writing' career... where the 'author' was trying to push Prince's Under the Cherry Moon as a significant movie of 'homosexual love' or something like that. And the person was really reaching, and not putting anything together to bring their thesis together.

.

The author here, doesn't seem to be 'really familiar with Prince's work.
.
To title #2. Prince highlighted issues of race and supported the Black Lives Matter Movement.

and then post lyrics/songs from 1995and 2009, is just extreme reaching.
.
Similiarly, when Questlove(huge Prince fan) tried to say "Prince is Hip Hop". I would think someone who is this deep into Prince would not try to lock Prince into a genre that he clearly resisted, did not get and made fun of for a period of time. He should know Prince music is 'purple music' period. Questlove was reaching... but I digress.

.

.

.

ok, um really?

The song definately fits with a New Wave rebellious drive... and definately fits in his Bohemian Apocalyptic world vision. But hardly doing what the author is saying. And it is still one of my fav to listen to.

. Prince used his songs to speak on serious social issues.

Prince called out President Ronald Reagan’s foreign policies and America’s involvement in the Cold War in his 1981 song, “Ronnie Talk To Russia.”

Ronnie talk to Russia before it's too late
Before it's too late
Before it's too late
Ronnie talk to Russia before it's too late
Before they blow up the world
You go to the zoo, but you can't feed guerrillas
Can't feed guerrillas
Left-wing guerrillas
You can go to the zoo, but you can't feed guerrillas
Who want to blow up the world

Ronnie if you're dead before I get to meet ya
Before I get to meet ya
Before I get to meet ya
Ronnie if you're dead before I get to meet ya
Don't say I didn't warn ya

Ronnie talk to Russia before it's too late
Before it's too late
Before it's too late
Ronnie talk to Russia before it's too late
Before they blow up the world
Before they blow up the world
Don't ya blow up my world
Don't you blow up my world

.

How Prince Became An Enduring Political Symbol

It is a nice gesture, but Prince:An Enduring Political Symbol, is not realistic.

Prince right now is still a hot topic, and coming up to the anniversary of his death, well see more 'props' to Prince, even if they don't really highlight or enlighten his artistic career.

This is Prince's "Baltimore." BTW, he is in good company, as the great Nina Simone also has a classic song (written by Randy Newman) about the "hard town by the sea."

.

.

OldFriends4Sale said:

There was an article/post like this about a year ago. I believe it was prior to April 21st 2016, but it could have been after(when everyone was trying to use his name to get traction for their 'writing' career... where the 'author' was trying to push Prince's Under the Cherry Moon as a significant movie of 'homosexual love' or something like that. And the person was really reaching, and not putting anything together to bring their thesis together.

.

The author here, doesn't seem to be 'really familiar with Prince's work.
.
To title #2. Prince highlighted issues of race and supported the Black Lives Matter Movement.

and then post lyrics/songs from 1995and 2009, is just extreme reaching.
.
Similiarly, when Questlove(huge Prince fan) tried to say "Prince is Hip Hop". I would think someone who is this deep into Prince would not try to lock Prince into a genre that he clearly resisted, did not get and made fun of for a period of time. He should know Prince music is 'purple music' period. Questlove was reaching... but I digress.

.

.

.

ok, um really?

The song definately fits with a New Wave rebellious drive... and definately fits in his Bohemian Apocalyptic world vision. But hardly doing what the author is saying. And it is still one of my fav to listen to.

. Prince used his songs to speak on serious social issues.

Prince called out President Ronald Reagan’s foreign policies and America’s involvement in the Cold War in his 1981 song, “Ronnie Talk To Russia.”

Ronnie talk to Russia before it's too late
Before it's too late
Before it's too late
Ronnie talk to Russia before it's too late
Before they blow up the world
You go to the zoo, but you can't feed guerrillas
Can't feed guerrillas
Left-wing guerrillas
You can go to the zoo, but you can't feed guerrillas
Who want to blow up the world

Ronnie if you're dead before I get to meet ya
Before I get to meet ya
Before I get to meet ya
Ronnie if you're dead before I get to meet ya
Don't say I didn't warn ya

Ronnie talk to Russia before it's too late
Before it's too late
Before it's too late
Ronnie talk to Russia before it's too late
Before they blow up the world
Before they blow up the world
Don't ya blow up my world
Don't you blow up my world

.

How Prince Became An Enduring Political Symbol

It is a nice gesture, but Prince:An Enduring Political Symbol, is not realistic.

Prince right now is still a hot topic, and coming up to the anniversary of his death, well see more 'props' to Prince, even if they don't really highlight or enlighten his artistic career.

Seriously? I just learned 2 things.

1: some1 really wrote an article saying UTCM was basically a homosexual film? I mean I've heard the debates of what Tricky and Christopher's relationship was in that movie but I never heard that some ppl think it's a full out gay film. Even if it was who cares, but it isn't.

and 2; that Quest said Prince is hip hop. I don't even know how 1 comes 2 that conclusion when P spent his whole career making the point that he play's whatever he wanted and didn't want any genre/labels put on him.

Personally I don't think P can be called a "Political Symbol". I think it's more that this person used P's name 2 push an article that would get attention 4 their self. P didn't like labels. Period. It seems this person is projecting their own beliefs on P. IMHO

FlyOnTheWall said:

Thanks for posting!

Latin said:

FlyOnTheWall said:

This is Prince's "Baltimore." BTW, he is in good company, as the great Nina Simone also has a classic song (written by Randy Newman) about the "hard town by the sea."

.

.

Thank you for posting these two videos FlyOnTheWall.

Yes.Thanks

This is clickbait at best. I'm surprised they didn't throw "Trump" into the title.

pinkcashmere23 said:

Prince was a revolutionary. You can't get more political than that. This tribute by one of the founders of Black Lives Matters makes it clear why, to many, Prince is indeed an "enduring political symbol." Still, that doesn't mean that he was a political symbol for all. Where you stand on that question, as they say, depends on where you sit.

.

[Edited 2/7/17 17:17pm]

fielder said:

This is clickbait at best. I'm surprised they didn't throw "Trump" into the title.

Yeah, if people don't rationally unfold Prince's life career when saying YES to links like this, then a honest respect of his life cannot be viewed.

You would have to explain by an honest view of his career, what would make him a true 'political symbol'. That is very different from a social revolutionary or musical revolutionary symbol... he was definately the latter. Prince was not Politically Revolutionary... Just because someone sited Ronnie Talk 2 Russia

FlyOnTheWall said:

Prince was a revolutionary. You can't get more political than that. This tribute by one of the founders of Black Lives Matters makes it clear why, to many, Prince is indeed an "enduring political symbol." Still, that doesn't mean that he was a political symbol for all. Where you stand on that question, as they say, depends on where you sit.

.

[Edited 2/7/17 17:17pm]

OldFriends4Sale said:

You would have to explain by an honest view of his career, what would make him a true 'political symbol'. That is very different from a social revolutionary or musical revolutionary symbol... he was definately the latter. Prince was not Politically Revolutionary... Just because someone sited Ronnie Talk 2 Russia

FlyOnTheWall said:

Prince was a revolutionary. You can't get more political than that. This tribute by one of the founders of Black Lives Matters makes it clear why, to many, Prince is indeed an "enduring political symbol." Still, that doesn't mean that he was a political symbol for all. Where you stand on that question, as they say, depends on where you sit.

.

[Edited 2/7/17 17:17pm]

As I said, he is remembered as a political figure by some. If you're not in that number, so be it. That's cool. Prince was many things to many people. The sooner some of his fams/fans come to grips with that, the better. Moreover, it's important to remember that politics is not just electoral. If his decision to stand up to Warner Bros. was not political, then I don't know what is. And, that's just one example.

FlyOnTheWall said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

You would have to explain by an honest view of his career, what would make him a true 'political symbol'. That is very different from a social revolutionary or musical revolutionary symbol... he was definately the latter. Prince was not Politically Revolutionary... Just because someone sited Ronnie Talk 2 Russia

As I said, he is remembered as a political figure by some. If you're not in that number, so be it. That's cool. Prince was many things to many people. The sooner some of his fams/fans come to grips with that, the better. Moreover, it's important to remember that politics is not just electoral. If his decision to stand up to Warner Bros. was not political, then I don't know what is. And, that's just one example.

People just making him what they want because it is how they feel is not honest, nor respectful to who he is.

Prince was clearly not a political figure.
Standing up to warner was business. Prince was not the first to go after ownership of his masters.

If that is the case then families are 'governing bodies' as well. And if someone in the family does something to change / stand up to etc the governing body then that is political...

(as in a government)

the total complex of relations between people living in society as seen or dealt with from a political point of view

Prince came from a theological viewpoint

FlyOnTheWall said:

Definition of politics

1 a : the art or science of government
b : the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy
c : the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government

2 :political actions, practices, or policies

3 a : political affairs or business; especially : competition between competing interest groups or individuals for power and leadership (as in a government)

b : political life especially as a principal activity or profession

c : political activities characterized by artful and often dishonest practices

4 :the political opinions or sympathies of a person

5 a : the total complex of relations between people living in society

b : relations or conduct in a particular area of experience especially as seen or dealt with from a political point of view <office politics> <ethnic politics>

OldFriends4Sale said:

(as in a government)

the total complex of relations between people living in society as seen or dealt with from a political point of view

Prince came from a theological viewpoint

FlyOnTheWall said:

Definition of politics

1 a : the art or science of government
b : the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy
c : the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government

2 :political actions, practices, or policies

3 a : political affairs or business; especially : competition between competing interest groups or individuals for power and leadership (as in a government)

b : political life especially as a principal activity or profession

c : political activities characterized by artful and often dishonest practices

4 :the political opinions or sympathies of a person

5 a : the total complex of relations between people living in society

b : relations or conduct in a particular area of experience especially as seen or dealt with from a political point of view <office politics> <ethnic politics>

First, just so that we're clear, "as" used in this context in a definition means "for example." Second, Prince sometimes espoused theological viewpoints, but that was not the totality of Prince Rogers Nelson. Moreover, theology and politics are not mutually exclusive. Indeed, organized religion is nothing if not political.

Prince was a multi-dimensional, complex individual. Plus, he was a proud Black man. As such, he felt obligated to confront the racist, predatory practices that he and other Black artists were subjected to within the music industry. That was a revolutionary, historic, and political choice.

As well, his African American heritage made him keenly aware of the plight of Black people who are being gunned down at will by police officers in the place called America. That moved him to quietly provide funding for the Black Lives Matter Movement. He also wrote his politically and socially conscious anthem "Baltimore" and held his "Rally 4 Peace" benefit concert in the city that was reeling in the aftermath of the police murder of Freddie Gray. These were not the actions of an apolitical man.

And, it is activities such as these that guarantee that he will always be remembered for standing with his people, even in the face of some who choose to ignore and/or downplay this aspect of the man called Dr. Prince Rogers Nelson. We will remember.

[Edited 2/8/17 5:19am]

FlyOnTheWall said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

(as in a government)

the total complex of relations between people living in society as seen or dealt with from a political point of view

Prince came from a theological viewpoint

First, just so that we're clear, "as" used in this context in a definition means "for example." Second, Prince sometimes espoused theological viewpoints, but that was not the totality of Prince Rogers Nelson. Moreover, theology and politics are not mutually exclusive. Indeed, organized religion is nothing if not political.

increasingly, Prince viewed things from a theological standpoint for the last 20+yrs

.

of course organized religion can be viewed as 'political' because it is dealing with a governing of people... but it is not politics. A family is a governing of people... but it is not politics.
Prince was not involved in politics as in President, Governor, Mayor US Laws

...in 2011 he even 'favoured Arabic cultures religion, because in his eyes everything was clear cut and set in governing the people...'

.

even the quote of 'like books and black lives, albums still matter' tells us more about his passion for music, his quote very socially on point, very much about refocusing... he brings up 'reading books' but the focus... was Albums Still Matter. along with books and Black lives

.

I also did not realize how huge Prince was on treatment of animals and a vegetarian lifestyle.

.

But when we look at a lot of this stuff. What Prince did and believes is very much like regular people who have beliefs about issues religion and give to charities. That doesn't make us political.

.

A government of love and music boundless in its unifying power
A nation of art 2 production
Sharing ideas, a shower of flowers