Re: Marxist aesthetics

[lucinda <lucinda1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

 In regards to Dumain and Beasley, I belief we have a slight firefight where 
more cautious stances would serve us better. While Dumain writes that the left 
has to be "against aesthetics" he proceeds to make several aesthetic judgements
more suited to the academicians he intends to attack than to a true over-
comming of aesthetic judgement. Rap may be offensive to the ears of a John 
Coltrane Jazz fan, but it -does- contain a metric beat, a developed artistry, 
and
at times a developed political stance (witness Public Enemy).

If the left intendsz to make inroads with the next generation, particularly 
those with the most to lose from the status quo, we must stamp out the tendency 
to
reject the voices eminating from the angry because it does not suit our 
particular morality. AND ABOVE THIS the degree of insensitivity to use the 
phrase "come out of the trees" in the current political context is remarkably 
telling.

Beasley scores quite strongly in suggesting that the lack of an aesthetics has
limited Marxism _only because_ Dumain takes such a stance. What is required
iss to make Marxism relevant to those with the most stake in changing the systm 
This requires that we extend our appeal in ways whicch resonate with their
experience. Rap may sound like noise to you, but it carries the sound of a
disarticulated revolutionary impulse to me. Fight the power.  Brian.


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