Donald Satz disagrees with my observations about CM and the uneasiness
some men feel about it's gay associations, but writes:

>I've heard about the "nerd" connection, even used it when I was younger.
>That's about it.

Thank you for proving my point: "gay" associations, "nerdy"
associations--it doesn't matter.  In America, (and I took the time to
cite!), young perceptions of masculinity are based upon association and
external proofs.  Anyone who strays from the path toward American manhood
is suspect and excluded, especially in youth.  What young person wants to
increase his chances of being called a nerd? And this is the time when we
*want* people to take an interest in CM.

>John might consider that some heterosexual men simply love women so much
>that they enjoy being with them, listening to them, talking to them, and
>even writing about them.  A hidden agenda doesn't have to exist.

I do not doubt in the least your complete acceptance of women as social and
intellectual equals.

Deryk Barker responds to Jeffery Hall:

>I am a black man and I LOVE classical music!  There.  Now I feel better.
>:-)
>
>>I continue to be surprised that we are all apparently able to enjoy World
>>Music but somehow classical music is the preserve of WASPs.

I would like to know why Jeff feels a guilty pleasure for liking CM.  Is it
a nagging feeling that he should be spending his time piecing back together
his own history and culture, instead of enjoying and exploring that of the
European? I doubt it, as one can certainly do both.  (If World Music is
suspect, it is only because it might make one *too* male!  But such is the
knot in which we have tied ourselves.)

The way Jeff posted about his love of CM was the same way one reveals a
vice or, forgive me for saying, "comes out." Facetious, yes; but a small
grain of truth.  If there is one group that has to live up to absurdly
masculine American standards more than the young white male, it is the
young black male.  And let's not forget that Jeff is in the Military.

Deryk, remember who your peers are, and remember who Jeff's are.  You have
the privilege of beginning a posting with the words, "Who, pray...," but
can Jeff speak like that in a military barracks? "Who, pray, knocked over
my beercan?" Similarly, how many young men would feel comfortable with a
portrait of Carl Maria von Weber on their wall, or leave a CD cover on the
table with Sir Simon Rattle in the throes of a triple forte? Even my mother
used to raise a bewildered "the-boy-ain't-right" eyebrow upon overhearing
Hans Hotter going to town in the Sprechtstimme(sp?) finale of Gurrelieder.

In military movies, the higher-ups can be seen enjoying CM, and
perhaps it is because the archaism of the music increases their mystique
by associating their character with the past.  But not so the grunts.
Although, I remember in the movie, "The Hunt for the Red October," the
radar man liked Beethoven, (notice the way his mate suspiciously asked him
what he was listening to), but remember, it's ok in this case, as the music
helps hone the soldier's hearing so that he could detect the slightest
pings of the enemy warship and, well, you know the rest.

John Smyth