FlyOnTheWall said:

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]

Prince used the symbolism of slavery (which resonated with many people beyond the transAtlantic slave trade) but even Prince in 1998/99 explained that it was not about race.
Even George Clinton took issue with Prince's play on the word.

.
Prince during that period and since has advocated and tried to help musicians and entertainers of all ethnic groups when dealing with record deals and ownership of music.

Baltimore was religiously socially conscious, not political.

Rally 4 Peace was what Prince has always done, to bring people together.

.

.

ps, is this your article that we are discussing?

anangellooksdown said:

There are no politics in the spiritual life. That is why Prince didn't vote. As he said, "I got no dog in that race." Inside of music, Prince fought for freedom -- not power. It was a creative ideal he had in mind. Because of the level of public exposure he had, he would sometimes use his art to speak the message of societal love, unity, peace, etc. And he was always helping behind the scenes. But being altruistic and political are two very different things. That is why he was careful to remain anonymous - even in his altruism. He cared about people. He wanted to encourage musicians and he wanted for their freedom. He wanted us to love each other. He was an artist. But to call him an enduring political symbol or the like is a bit of a stretch, and not entirely a label I think he would want. (smiles) He knew the role God has assigned him. [Edited 2/8/17 1:25am]

Your post drove it home.

FlyOnTheWall said:

Thank you for your comment FlyOnTheWall.

It is very eloquently stated.

Prince is an "enduring political symbol" to many and that aspect of his legacy shall also be preserved.

#thetruth
#wewillremember

Latin said:

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]

Thank you for your comment FlyOnTheWall. It is very eloquently stated. Prince is an "enduring political symbol" to many and that aspect of his legacy shall also be preserved. #thetruth #wewillremember

#theTruth is he will be remembered as a Genius and Musical Visionary

OldFriends4Sale said:

You make very good points on this thread OF4S, and have followed Prince for a lot longer than us newer folks, some of whom use very overly-dramatic language and/or intellectualism - and even guilt among other tactics - to make their points.

All human beings are complex - meaning that we are each a result of our many individual experiences. Prince was no different. And he sometimes used his music to express how he felt about the human state.
We also know he anonymously gave to charity.

These seem to me to be socially conscious and spiritually altruistic expressions.

I don't know that he would be comfortable however, with being donned the title of great political visionary, especially given his religious views which excluded politics and voting.
[Edited 2/8/17 7:22am]

SNIP

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>

Being Religious does not override being Political. Churches were governments before governments. Of course Prince was Political. A person who repeatedly writes slave on their face et al is being political.

-

We can split hairs on what the word actually means and how it fits into a real person's life all day long. Doesn't change that he lived his life pollitically in his community and beyond.

purplepoppy said:

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>

Being Religious does not override being Political. Churches were governments before governments. Of course Prince was Political. A person who repeatedly writes slave on their face et al is being political.

-

We can split hairs on what the word actually means and how it fits into a real person's life all day long. Doesn't change that he lived his life pollitically in his community and beyond.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OldFriends4Sale said:

Latin said:

FlyOnTheWall said: Thank you for your comment FlyOnTheWall. It is very eloquently stated. Prince is an "enduring political symbol" to many and that aspect of his legacy shall also be preserved. #thetruth #wewillremember

#theTruth is he will be remembered as a Genius and Musical Visionary

Of course, Prince will be remembered as an ingenious musical visionary. That goes without saying. But, he will also be remembered by some for his brave political stands, without which, no story of his life would be complete.

purplepoppy said:

FlyOnTheWall said:

Definition of politics

1a : 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

3a : 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

5a : 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>

Being Religious does not override being Political. Churches were governments before governments. Of course Prince was Political. A person who repeatedly writes slave on their face et al is being political.

-

We can split hairs on what the word actually means and how it fits into a real person's life all day long. Doesn't change that he lived his life pollitically in his community and beyond.

Understanding Prince's JW religious teachings and beliefs mean...

But he didn't.

OldFriends4Sale said:

purplepoppy said:

Being Religious does not override being Political. Churches were governments before governments. Of course Prince was Political. A person who repeatedly writes slave on their face et al is being political.

-

We can split hairs on what the word actually means and how it fits into a real person's life all day long. Doesn't change that he lived his life pollitically in his community and beyond.

Understanding Prince's JW religious teachings and beliefs mean...

But he didn't.

IN YOUR OPINION - not everybodys, lol.

purplepoppy said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Understanding Prince's JW religious teachings and beliefs mean...

But he didn't.

IN YOUR OPINION - not everybodys, lol.

a HuffPost by someone who clearly doesn't understand the man Prince and his career as an artist. Digging a little beyond the surface of Prince tells us how entwined and defined he was by his belief.

post #26 But being altruistic and political are two very different things. That is why he was careful to remain anonymous - even in his altruism.

OldFriends4Sale said:

purplepoppy said:

IN YOUR OPINION - not everybodys, lol.

a HuffPost by someone who clearly doesn't understand the man Prince and his career as an artist. Digging a little beyond the surface of Prince tells us how entwined and defined he was by his belief.

post #26 But being altruistic and political are two very different things. That is why he was careful to remain anonymous - even in his altruism.

So is this thread a dictatorship? No dissenting opinions will be tolerated?

purplepoppy said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

a HuffPost by someone who clearly doesn't understand the man Prince and his career as an artist. Digging a little beyond the surface of Prince tells us how entwined and defined he was by his belief.

post #26 But being altruistic and political are two very different things. That is why he was careful to remain anonymous - even in his altruism.

So is this thread a dictatorship? No dissenting opinions will be tolerated?

Strawman.

can we be adults here and discuss the topic.

.

.

.

“I was anti-authoritarian but at the same time I was a loving tyrant. You can’t be both. I had to learn what authority was. That’s what the Bible teaches. The Bible is a study guide for social interaction.” He puts it another way. “If I go to a place where I don’t feel stressed and there’s no car alarms and airplanes overhead, then you understand what noise pollution is. Noise is a society that has no God, that has no glue. We can’t do what we want to do all the time. If you don’t have boundaries, what then?”

“It’s fun being in Islamic countries, to know there’s only one religion. There’s order. You wear a burqa. There’s no choice. People are happy with that.” But what about women who are unhappy about having to wearing burqas? “There are people who are unhappy with everything,” he says shruggingly. “There’s a dark side to everything.”

“I don’t want to get up on a soapbox. My view of the world, you can debate that for ever. But I’m a musician. That’s what I do. And I also am music. Come to the show for that.” ~Prince 2011

OldFriends4Sale said:

purplepoppy said:

So is this thread a dictatorship? No dissenting opinions will be tolerated?

Strawman.

can we be adults here and discuss the topic.

“I was anti-authoritarian but at the same time I was a loving tyrant. You can’t be both. I had to learn what authority was. That’s what the Bible teaches. The Bible is a study guide for social interaction.” He puts it another way. “If I go to a place where I don’t feel stressed and there’s no car alarms and airplanes overhead, then you understand what noise pollution is. Noise is a society that has no God, that has no glue. We can’t do what we want to do all the time. If you don’t have boundaries, what then?”

“It’s fun being in Islamic countries, to know there’s only one religion. There’s order. You wear a burqa. There’s no choice. People are happy with that.” But what about women who are unhappy about having to wearing burqas? “There are people who are unhappy with everything,” he says shruggingly. “There’s a dark side to everything.”

“I don’t want to get up on a soapbox. My view of the world, you can debate that for ever. But I’m a musician. That’s what I do. And I also am music. Come to the show for that.” ~Prince 2011

Nice try at discrediting. Won't work.

I guess we cannot. Moving along.

OldFriends4Sale said:

Prince was about relationships.

FlyOnTheWall said:

anangellooksdown said:
Prince was about relationships.

Exactly. Prince saw the relationship between music art religion politics sexuality you name it AND his own truth. Doves eye view. And we are all here on the org because we "know" that on some level.

anangellooksdown said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Strawman.

can we be adults here and discuss the topic.

.

.

.

“I was anti-authoritarian but at the same time I was a loving tyrant. You can’t be both. I had to learn what authority was. That’s what the Bible teaches. The Bible is a study guide for social interaction.” He puts it another way. “If I go to a place where I don’t feel stressed and there’s no car alarms and airplanes overhead, then you understand what noise pollution is. Noise is a society that has no God, that has no glue. We can’t do what we want to do all the time. If you don’t have boundaries, what then?”

“It’s fun being in Islamic countries, to know there’s only one religion. There’s order. You wear a burqa. There’s no choice. People are happy with that.” But what about women who are unhappy about having to wearing burqas? “There are people who are unhappy with everything,” he says shruggingly. “There’s a dark side to everything.”

“I don’t want to get up on a soapbox. My view of the world, you can debate that for ever. But I’m a musician. That’s what I do. And I also am music. Come to the show for that.” ~Prince 2011

Prince was about relationships.

Right, politics divides people. He was about bring people of all backgrounds together to celebrate life.

OldFriends4Sale said:

Excellent point.
Unity, Love4OneAnother...it was a broader message.

anangellooksdown said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Right, politics divides people. He was about bring people of all backgrounds together to celebrate life.

Excellent point. Unity, Love4OneAnother...it was a broader message.

Politics does not divide people anymore than celebrating life does. That is your personal view. Let's encompass all views.

[Edited 2/8/17 15:04pm]

purplepoppy said:

anangellooksdown said:

OldFriends4Sale said:
Excellent point. Unity, Love4OneAnother...it was a broader message.

Politics does not divide people anymore than celebrating life does. That is your personal view. Let's encompass all views.

[Edited 2/8/17 15:04pm]

anangellooksdown said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

Right, politics divides people. He was about bring people of all backgrounds together to celebrate life.

Excellent point. Unity, Love4OneAnother...it was a broader message.

Unity..Yes, Love 4 1 another, Yes. BUT.....Just like Baltimore....he was trying to bring people together to stand up to the injustice's that are going on...........That IS being political.

Don't think Prince wasn't political. He paid attention to what was going on. He watched the news every single day. Heck, he talked to Tamron and Van ALL of the time. He knew what happened with Trayvon Martin, he helped that family, along with many others. He just didn't publicize his politics, he was more undercover. But you can't truthfully say he wasn't political.

PennyPurple said:

anangellooksdown said:

OldFriends4Sale said: Excellent point. Unity, Love4OneAnother...it was a broader message.

Unity..Yes, Love 4 1 another, Yes. BUT.....Just like Baltimore....he was trying to bring people together to stand up to the injustice's that are going on...........That IS being political.

Don't think Prince wasn't political. He paid attention to what was going on. He watched the news every single day. Heck, he talked to Tamron and Van ALL of the time. He knew what happened with Trayvon Martin, he helped that family, along with many others. He just didn't publicize his politics, he was more undercover. But you can't truthfully say he wasn't political.

I just stumbled upon this while looking at the "Baltimore" page on Prince Vault.com. Apparently, when Prince released the song for streaming, he included a statement that most would consider political. The relevant part read as follows.

The final stream of the song was accompanied with the following text:

...Please know that all involved in this project never take for granted the privileges we have in this country. Let's all continue to fight the good fight and confront inhumanity on every level until the day it is no longer. Read More...

OldFriends4Sale said:

purplepoppy said:

Politics does not divide people anymore than celebrating life does. That is your personal view. Let's encompass all views.

[Edited 2/8/17 15:04pm]

How does it feel to be the judge and jury? Not very good from the vibes I'm getting. All these pesky posts.

Politics are always divisive anywhere, unless a person uses Unity instead, to bring people together.
That's what Prince did.
He was aware of what was going on politically but rather than take sides, he worked for Unity.
Unity vs politics. Huge difference.
One offsets the other.

Thus, equality can be reached.

Glad this post was put back 🙂
[Edited 2/11/17 6:42am]