When I received the e-mail Friday that Akon was no longer coming to Winona State, I was ecstatic.
Between Akon’s incredibly progressive lyrics about women (excuse me, hoes and strippers) to the ridiculous 65,000 dollars UPAC borrowed from the Student Life Reserve approved by Student Senate, I’m happy his managers dropped Winona.
When I first heard Akon was coming, I was apathetic. I morally disagree with 99% of his music, but figured UPAC would bring a musician that reflected what the majority of the student body wanted.
But then reality set in.
I’m not sure I could even call Akon’s songs music. With songs like “Smack That” and “I Wanna Fuck You,” I can’t take his image as a true musician seriously. If he wants to sell out with lyrics like “pimpin’ got harder ‘cause hoes got smarter” and “women just holding, big booty rolling,” I doubt he is expressing real emotion.
As much as I don’t like holding someone’s past against a person, I can’t help but wonder why UPAC would invite a 34 year old man accused of simulating sex with a 15 year old girl to our campus.
“Look at how she was dressed; she was asking for it.”
Silly me -- of course she was asking for him to bring her on stage, throw her around and hump her violently!
That’s victim blaming at its finest. Telling women they can’t wear certain clothing because a man may grab her or think she wants to have sex makes me scared of the world we live in.
How are performers picked based on the survey?
According to a quote from Joe Reed in last week’s Winonan, the selection process starts with all artists and gradually narrows down to artists who are touring on college campuses.
So is there a point in sending a survey asking the student body which genre they prefer?
Reed went on to say UPAC gets who they can and that “we can’t please everybody.”
That’s true. But did Akon coming please anybody?
I was at the Student Senate meeting when Jason Zimmerman and Kelly Clark asked to speak with Senate members to allocate 65,000 dollars from the Student Life Reserve for the concert.
That price seems pretty high. Why not spend the same amount or less on a concert that more of the student body would be likely to attend?
I’m ecstatic Akon is no longer coming to Winona. I vote Ben Folds or Jack’s Mannequin.