In related news, the chattering classes are noticing that Clarkson managed to thank Jesus, but not "Idol."
What Becomes a Legend, but Not a Clarkson
Friday February 10, 2006
Why is it that James Legend thanks God for his Grammy and it fits him like his Valentino tuxedo, while Kelly Clarkson awkwardly sputters something about “Jesus, God and everybody who has supported me” and it sounds like a parody of someone who just won best casserole at the church fair? It’s got to be the same reason Kanye West takes “Jesus Walks” to the mic and the top of the charts while U2 has to dance coyly around Bono’s apparent fascination with Christian thought. Invariably, black musicians’ relative ease with spirituality is attributed to the intact connection between church music and popular music in the African-American community. From Aretha to Cece Wynans, African-American singers don’t have to choose between gospel or rock. But is this a stereotype cooked up by armchair ethno-religionists? Or is John Legend just cooler than Kelly?
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Paul, oddly enough I think it comes from racism.
I live in Hollywood. Being religious of any stripe is seen as a weakness. (That's why everyone here is "spiritual" but not "religious.")
I think people pander to the black community, thinking that they "need religion" to help deal with their very-real struggle.
But white people don't have real pain, so we should all be hip and enlightened and should find our spiritual identity in expensive therapy sessions.
This is why the "spiritual" people in the media LOVE gospel music but disdain Christian music of any other kind.
Maybe that's why it seems to fit Legend -- people people have given permission to black folk to believe in God.
Kelly isn't so lucky.>
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