"...isn't the deeper issue concerned with conveying the beliefs he holds and subsequently, the divisions they are highlighting within his following? This alienation will continue to occur on both sides, unless checked. Surely, there will come a point in time where it is not rewarding, either soulfully or financially, for Prince to continue this journey. I think this is all very much related to what those around him, and the beliefs they hold regarding happiness, will have to say i.e. JWs."

---

"I think that his beliefs and his music will continue to change and alienate like any great artist that is challenging himself. I think it’s an extremely healthy process for both the audience and the artist. Like weeding out a garden. Unfortunately you can never get rid of all the caustic elements. But hopefully with each change and the passage of time you get closer and closer to a fan base that isn’t just hanging on for selfish reasons and that truly understands and respects the art at every turn.

In a way Prince has it tougher than even Miles Davis, because he has fans that span the entire musical spectrum, from bubble-gum pop to complex jazz, from serious musicians to those looking for Prince to do the splits while simulating oral sex with his index and middle finger.

But I still can’t see anything permanently stopping that creative drive. The call is inevitable and there is wonderful joy to be found in the creation process. Sure there’ll be great hurt each time he personally feels he’s failed to connect, but surely by now he knows that no matter what he chooses to do that it's going to end up alienating people.

If he truly connects with his own soul, he’ll always have at least a small hardcore group of people that appreciate at least that much. That can be more than enough reward, soulfully and financially to keep the journey moving forward. All he needs at the end of the day is one house and a home studio if things really shrink. Surely he makes enough on his back catalogue alone to support that and more.

To some degree great art comes out of great pain and alienation. A feeling as though no one is understanding you and that your art is hopeless and worthless. But the great ones eventually keep pushing forward despite the overwhelming amount of hate and misunderstanding being shot in their direction.

I’d never be surprised with dramatic change from Prince (even another retirement announcement). What would surprise me is if it was the last dramatic change."

---

"I've read your response a couple of times now, and I warm to your point of view but I think it's missing something. Allow me to explain.

Connecting with one's soul is great when it happens musically for an artist but what happens when spiritually doing so actually alienates that very harcore group of people you refer to who have stuck by your cause throughout the years. I refer you to his forthright beliefs that the JW's version of the truth is the right way to worship God.

He appears well on his way to alienating much of his loyal gay following, as their behaviour is not tolerated by the JW's teachings, and as a general observation, these stringent views are off-putting to many of his open-minded following too, regardless of sexual orientation. Furthermore, most everyone is left wondering why he is pushing the history of racial division when it's resulting in dividing his fanbase, as opposed to uniting them. If the end result is negative for the whole, does that really make things positive for himself? I beg to differ but then again, I'm not the one he is seeking to please. So, who is this one that he is serving?

All said and done, I find my musings add to the appeal of his music but I know I am in a minority when it comes to doing the work to reconcile my thoughts."

---

"Who really needs such a defensive audience?

I don’t see the role of an artist as someone that should be concerned with uniting people. I look to artists for their unique view of the world and the challenge of thought their work can provoke. If you dig the art, cool. If you don’t, cool.

This division you speak of has always existed. Not addressing it doesn’t make it go away, it just gives a false sense that we are all together and that there are no problems. If people can’t handle the dialogue unless they agree with it, so be it.

Speaking out passionately about your beliefs is going to invite criticism and hate; it’s unavoidable. It doesn’t matter how politically correct you make your views, you’ll offend someone in the process.

I love the whole concept of “Uptown” and dreaming of a world where looks or race don’t matter. But ultimately I’m a realist and I wake from my fantasies. Pretending that there is no injustice is a great injustice, as it just prolongs the inevitable.

I haven’t personally encountered many (if any) of these “open minded” people you refer to in the context of those who have been off-put, divided and alienated.

I’d like to believe that the true open minded people can agree and disagree with Prince’s beliefs (and anyone else’s for that matter) in a civil, respectful and reasoned way. I’d also like to believe that these open minded people are people that could leave this interest/hobby of theirs if they ever reached a point where they were no longer getting enough joy out of it.

I’m a non-religious person that comes from a family of mostly Christian conservatives. Needless to say I disagree with them on many an issue. But most of the time somehow I manage to be respectful to them and they to me.

To follow the examples of some of these so-called open-minded people around here would mean marching into my next family get-together and telling them all what hateful sheep they are for believing their particular interpretation of the bible and not understanding that homosexuality for the majority is a biological reality, not a choice.

Or perhaps I’ll go the evangelistic route and slowly try to teach them my beliefs regarding sex outside of marriage, evolution, abortion, the death penalty, cursing and religion. Hopefully they’ll wise up. But if they don’t, I’ll just tell them that until they wake up I have no interest in their company, nor in hearing their ridiculous opinions.

Sure, I dream of a family where I have a few more kindred spirits, but fortunately thus far I haven’t been divided or alienated. It’s just a difference of opinion until one party or the other makes it clear that it’s something much larger (get out, heathen!)."

---

"Ungrateful heathen" -Aunt Esther

[This message was edited Tue Sep 9 22:41:14 PDT 2003 by rdhull]

but anyway... Anji. is this something you wrote, or something you're quoting? (i ask because of all the quote marks)

Good vs. evil?

Camille vs. Prince?

Prince vs. o)+>?

NPGMC vs. Anji?

Anji vs. the voice in his head?

Entertaining, though...

Why do you use the quotation marks Anji? They should be used if you're quoting somebody else, but if these are your own words then they are confusing.

Heathen is nearly heaven in a way. Just a "th" and a "v". They say sometimes words have more than one meaning. Who is this "They"? Sun sounds like Son, which also means sound, or something close to that. So were The Doors waiting for the son? And a rainbow--especially if it's raining (thunder all through the night), and the sun (son) shines at the break of dawn.

"I want you to know that, I'm a rainbow with you"!(sun is shining)

Sound--how sweet the sound. Bono wondered what that line meant. He got me thinking...

What silence looks like...

andyf said:

...wanna funk ! :EVILLOL:

If you are quoting somebody you should state their name and the source of your information.

I like these comments by this unknown author from an unknown source.

Who really needs an artist that acts offensive?
Now here is someone who doesn't know about tolerance.
[This message was edited Wed Sep 10 3:35:15 PDT 2003 by Abrazo]

Heretic.

Anxiety said:

I just watched that the other day...

Hey Anji...I enjoyed the dialogue...
Both participants spoke well their opinions.

The biggest "wow" I got out of it is that the "open-mindedness" door
should swing both ways.
A truly "open-minded" person makes room for even those he labels "closed-minded".

Also for each and every person..."TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE".
So whatever path you choose, is yours. Make the best of it.

No one has the right to try to box YOU into an "acceptable" model.

True happiness is found inside one's own self and must not pivot on what another
person decides to do.

As I travel along life's winding road, I choose those things that strengthen me.
I do my best to avoid those things that bring me down.
The results? Happiness.
Then some would say "You only think you are happy. You are fooling yourself.
You need to taste all of life's realities."

I tried that.
I didn't like it.
Too many bitter weeds...I tossed them aside.
I kept the flowers.

The results? Happiness.

U may wonder, "What the heck is Melody talking about?"

Anji knows.

It's just like I was telling Marva the other day - I said, "MARVA...

one should always be true 2 oneself first

i'm glad prince is serious about God

and finding the Truth

if we were truly his fans, we would

want prince 2 be happy spiritually and mentally

everything else will fall into place
[This message was edited Wed Sep 10 21:21:53 PDT 2003 by sumtymes]

Prince has always been offensive?!

ANJI YOU AR VARY SCARY MAN.
I AM AFRAID.

Anji said:

hmm...i'd say suggestive, but not offensive... eh, different strokes for different cats...

Anji said:"All said and done, I find my musings add to the appeal of his music but I know I am in a minority when it comes to doing the work to reconcile my thoughts."

How kind of you to come down from your lofty perch & share your glorious "thoughts" since the rest of us are babbling idiots incapable of "reconciling our thoughts." Only you are capable of seeing the gray shades while us simple people can only see in black & white. Thank you for your insights o'great one.

Anxiety said:

Abrazo said:

He's serving himself...his God...and his soul. As much as many of us may dislike accepting this reality, the fact of the matter is that we as fans are truly irrelevant to Prince's life decisions--and we should be. I may be in the minority, but I have never felt "abandoned" as a fan if Prince made a life or career decision that didn't seem to consider me and my thoughts/feelings first, or at all...I just never cared, beyond perhaps curiosity, a peek inside the "real" life and mind of an artist I enjoyed.

ingridbeaverhausenn said:

Anji how come on the majority of your posts you use quotation marks like you're quoting someone else's comments or remarks, yet you *never* respond to people who ask you WHOM is is you are quoting or if your posts are original thoughts of your own? Why do you choose to ignore the questions asking from where you are taking the quoted material in your posts?

And are you Prince's new psychiatrist or counselor or something? You frequently pontificate on Prince's innermost motivations and reasons for doing or saying what he does. I would like to know how you come to be more enlightened on Prince's soul and mind than the rest of us.

Thank you.

HE CAN NOT TELL YOU. :SHH:

PrimordialOoze said:

Well, just for the record, in case your question also goes unanswered, it's because Anji doesn't write these posts, he just transcribes them.

Anji, baby -- it's tacky, is all I'm sayin'.

Anxiety said:

speaking of...



did the second season ever come out on DVD? if not, are there plans?