Found at: http://www.yclusa.org/article/articleprint/1524/-1/292/
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Dixie Chicks Speak Up for Texas
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Top level
Dynamic Magazine
Back Issues
2003 - October
March 10 of this year, Texas country-pop stars Dixie Chicks became infamous when their lead singer Natalie Maines declared that they \"are ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas,\" in criticism of the imminent U.S. invasion of Iraq. This comment brought an onslaught of criticism, caused their No. 1 song \"Travelin\' Soldier,\" a sad lament about the victims of war, to fall off the charts completely, and even spurred some Deep South radio stations to boycott their songs completely. But do these young women deserve so much controversy?
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Dixie Chicks with the Rock The Vote street team
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March 10 of this year, Texas country-pop stars Dixie Chicks became infamous when their lead singer Natalie Maines declared that they \"are ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas,\" in criticism of the imminent U.S. invasion of Iraq. This comment brought an onslaught of criticism, caused their No. 1 song \"Travelin\' Soldier,\" a sad lament about the victims of war, to fall off the charts completely, and even spurred some Deep South radio stations to boycott their songs completely. But do these young women deserve so much controversy?
Personally, I have never been a fan of the Dixie Chicks, or country music in general. But Ms. Maines\'s comment made me want to join the throng of teenagers swarming to their sold-out shows. Unlike the rest of the country, I have not forgotten that stars have the right to say whatever they please, just like the rest of us, and I applaud the Chick’s courage in speaking up for Texas. Contrary to popular belief, Texans do not worship George “Dubya.�? Texans also feel the sting of the President\'s actions, such as ignoring the economy to promote his unjust war, cutting education, health care, and veterans benefits, and carrying out his apparent personal vendetta against the environment.
However, the Dixie Chicks are not the only stars to speak out against the war. Among the \"Hollywood for Peace\" crowd are Drew Barrymore, Mike Farrell, Danny Glover, and Steve Buscemi to name a few. Unlike the Dixie Chicks, these stars have not yet been the topic of heated debates and boycotts. The Dixie Chicks have been scapegoated by the right wing as the epitome of unpatriotic and ungrateful, in an effort to stem the criticism that is now coming at Bush and his regime from all directions. The Chicks are perhaps more of a threat because they are Texans whose fans are not your typical peace activists.
Since the initial controversy, the Dixie Chicks have weathered the storm of controversy and managed to maintain packed concert appearances. Maines and crew have even launched a high-profile campaign with Rock the Vote in order to encourage young people—who are more likely than others to oppose war and hypocrisy—to vote in the 2004 Presidential elections.
Across the nation, Texans are famous for cowboy hats, horses, and most of all, fierce pride in their state. As a native Texan, I am also ashamed that our state could produce this war-mongering hypocrite of a President, and I am not alone. I have even heard a fellow Texan refer to Bush as \"the devil.\" Evil incarnate or not, Bush is bad for America and he\'s got to go. The Dixie Chicks want him out, and they are in good company.
For More Information:
Rock the Vote
http://www.rockthevote.com
Dixie Chicks Official Site
http://www.dixiechicks.com
Nicole Zabel is an activist in Denton, Texas and a member of the YCL