Perhaps some of you were under the impression that American Idol is a singing competition, as Simon Cowell so often and dishonestly likes to muse. Well if last night's choice for this year's American Idol did not convince you otherwise, nothing will. Even winner Kris Allen was stunned to hear his name called. He had a look of shock to rival that of the prosecution in the O.J. Simpson murder trial. This has never been a singing contest, but, rather a search for our next, well, Idol. It goes beyond vocal prowess, it's about a package: the look, the story, the talent, etc., Oh, but wait a minute, I think Mr. Adam Lambert possessed all of those things in excess. So, dude what happened?Well as our favorite dawg, Randy Jackson and company so often implied in their critique of Mr. Lambert, he was a bit much to take in. We just don't know "what to make of you." Don't you just love the power of language? You can imply the obvious or what everyone is thinking without actually saying what you mean, thus, giving yourself an out in the event you're called on it. It's like Glenn Beck's assertion that he's not a journalist, but, rather a "commentator on life." Which we all know just means that he's a spin golly of ...(wait, my mother's reading this). You get the picture. It was obvious to anyone with ears, from the moment Adam Lambert opened his mouth that he was far and away their most gifted contestant yet. Even more impressive was his musical sensibilities. To take a well worn song and literally turn it into your own is quite the artistic feat. But, did he have to be so..."you know?" Yes, I know, "comfortable" with himself. So, flamboyantly, fabulously, at ease with what most Americans aren't very at ease with.
During the 2008 Presidential Campaign much was made about America's emotional state of mind when it came time to walk into the ballot box. The Bradley Effect* was often the topic of conversation. "Can White America actually bring themselves to pull the lever for a Black man?" Well, on that historic November evening we got a resounding reply: "Yes We Can!!!" And why not? With a tanking economy, two wars, a ravaged health care system and abhorrent education system, it's about time we hand the nation over to the Blacks. After all, they're pretty good at cleaning up messes, right? Besides the last thing we need is some geezer keeling over from exhaustion, during the State of The Union Address or in the midst of yet another farce of a Middle East peace talk, because he forgot to take his mid morning nap.
So, yes, my fellow Americans we are emotional voters indeed; and there was no way in a 100 million votes (Idol's highest ever), we were going to make one of "them" our Idol. After all, what would that say about us? What would the world think? We had to play it safe, go for the square jawed, all American, heart throb, with the boyish charm and limited vocal facility. After all we know who he is. He's one of us and he makes us feel comfortable. We'll just give that "other one" second place - but, buy up his albums in mass numbers like the good closeted fans that we are. Besides, it worked out pretty well for that "other one" (Clay Aiken).
*The infamous 1982 California election for Governor, in which every poll projected , then Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley (a Black man) the winner. Yet, when it actually came time to vote, good 'ole liberal California just couldn't bring themselves to actually vote for him.
copyright 2009 Johnathan L. Iverson Baptiste
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