Slate's Bizbox
the breakfast table: An e-mail conversation about the news of the day.

Robert Christgau and Danyel Smith

the breakfast table
entries
123456789101112131415
from: Robert Christgau

Metaphors Are Real, Too

Posted Thursday, June 24, 1999, at 4:28 PM ET

Dear Danyel,

When the deficit was still a basket or two in the fourth I exclaimed to Carola what a good game it was. She told me that for her a good game was when her team was never behind. Some girls ... Me, I certainly could believe when the Knicks lost--they don't have the personnel. So I relished their valor, turned off the set, and went in and began a letter that never mentioned them. I want a ring too, but not as much as Patrick Ewing. Even growing up a Yankee fan, and maybe especially so, you do learn that losing is a metaphor as well as a reality--which isn't to deny that I once had a nightmare about Frank Viola bobbling a grounder, or that my adulthood has known its share of brief sports depressions.

Gun control is a reality as well as a metaphor, which is why I support it--I don't have any doubt that it would save some individual lives at no cost that means shit to me (grossly misconstrued Second Amendment, pre-emptive strike against nativist revolution, etc.). But the point of your BART story is of course right on--gun control isn't gonna keep inner-city thugs from shooting people. So it's a metaphor as well as a reality, one that says only when guns start scaring the suburbs will they inspire legislative concern. And that's why I can't get too passionate about it. You could even say there's a sense in which throwing money at welfare is a metaphor as well. I mean, it isn't going to solve poverty--as you know, hip-hop has a strong anti-welfare streak (though not on Redman's latest, which is one reason I love it). But it least it says class is a problem worthy of legislative concern--and also saves some individual lives.

But while you're still in the wake of your moment, answer me and the readers these before we part ways: Would it be possible to say that Vibe has a "position" on the guns that scare you and the reflexive violence you find so lame? Is its position different from the competition's--say The Source on the one hand and Rolling Stone on the other? How is that position expressed? Does that count as "harnessing" the audience's potential? I truly hope you don't duck these questions by answering "no" to the first one. I mean, if you believe it is a "no," expatiate anyway.

Good talking to you. Let's have lunch instead of breakfast next time. Vibe can pay because you're a big cheese. OK?

Momentously,
(Or is that just) Momentarily,
Bob

the breakfast table
entries
123456789101112131415
from: Robert Christgau

Metaphors Are Real, Too

Posted Thursday, June 24, 1999, at 4:28 PM ET
Print This ArticlePRINTDiscuss this in The FrayDISCUSSEmail to a FriendE-MAIL
Share on FacebookPost to MySpace!Share with MixxDigg ThisShare with RedditShare with del.icio.usShare with FurlShare with Ma.gnolia.comShare with SphereShare with Stumble Upon
Robert Christgau is a senior editor and chief music critic of the Village Voice. His essay collection, Grown Up All Wrong (click here to buy the book), was published in 1998. Danyel Smith is the editor in chief of Vibe.
Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum
What did you think of this article?
POST A MESSAGE | READ MESSAGES
Washington Post
The Washington Post
OPINIONS
What's Fair Game?
Anne E. Kornblut | What questions would Hillary Clinton have to answer if she were in Sarah Palin's shoes?
Editorial: Disappointment '08
PLUS » Stumped: More Nonsense From McCain