wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Are you kidding me, John Schaefer? YOU didn't know Lena Horne was black until well into your own adulthood?! Where are you from? Help me, seriously. I'm a new listener.

And Mr. Gavin, how dare you say she wanted the Showboat role more than life itself? As her biographer, you should appreciate her deep spiritual principles well enough to not make a statement like that.

Back to you, John Schaefer: I've never heard you speak with such little tact & naiveté about black artists. You were so savvy with
The RZA of Wu Tang clan and yet spoke with such seeming ignorance on the subject of a
near legendary cultural icon who most of the
population knows far more about. Comparing Lena Horne to Chris Brown? Huh? Were you under the weather that day? Is that the explanation?
Seriously. I've always been sooooo impressed
with your cultural dexterity. Until I heard
this. Help me understand. Thanks.

Amber Kain

James Gavin's book is deeply researched, yet quite off-key in terms of 20th century African American culture (I have read it cover to cover). He is poorly read on the broader issues and context and therefore uninformed. Unfortunately, this Soundcheck interview follows his uninformed lead. "The NAACP and MGM an unholy alliance" . . . "she sang white" . . ."Lena Horne's racial ambiguity . . ." PUH-LEEZE, Shaefer! You can do better--Black people are not an exotic species.