PAUL SIMON--BRIDGING THE CULTURE GAP

In the first essay in Calendar’s new Popping Off series, William K. Knoedelseder Jr. defended Paul Simon’s decision to record “Graceland” in South Africa, and to use South African musicians. Knoedelseder’s commentary, prompted by protests against Simon by students at Howard University, drew spirited response from readers. Here is a sampling of opinion, the overwhelming majority of which supported Simon’s actions. Popping Off is an occasional forum commenting on timely issues in pop music.

“Graceland” is not a mainstream pop album by design, and Simon never congratulates himself with pedantic political rhetoric. If anything, he’s exposed some very fine music to a mainstream audience that would never have heard it left to its own devices.

In addition, Simon shares songwriting credit. All reverse racism aside, Simon is a credit to his race. The human race.

MICHAEL SILVERSHER

Glendale