Clay Cane is a New York City-based writer who is recognized for his contributions in journalism. His work covers diverse issues such as politics, pop culture, sexuality, race and more. Clay is a regular contributor for various print and online publications such as Essence, BET.com and The Advocate. He is the author of the highly anticipated novel Ball-Shaped World, which is a fictionalized account of the black and Latino ballroom scene. Also, he is columnist for BET.com's WHAT THE FLICK.
He can be reached at claycane@gmail.com.
Ain't it always the biggest queen in the room who does the Bible-beating?
First, I don't believe Mr. Nelson was misquoted. The high-heeled diva has been a raging religious fanatic for years. Until now, he has managed to keep his psycho dogma centered around himself.
As you may have already heard, Prince spoke with Claire Hoffman of The New Yorker, one of the most respected magazines in the country. According to Hoffman's biography, she has written for Rolling Stone, The LA Times and "Claire has two masters degrees—one in religious studies from the University of Chicago Divinity School and another from the Columbia School of Journalism." This is not a tabloid journalist or a trashy magazine that would "misquote" such a drastic statement, especially from a pop culture icon.
On the opposite end of the spectrum you’ve got blue, you’ve got the Democrats, and they’re, like, ‘You can do whatever you want.’ Gay marriage, whatever. But neither of them is right.” When asked about his perspective on social issues—gay marriage, abortion—Prince tapped his Bible and said,“God came to earth and saw people sticking it wherever and doing it with whatever, and he just cleared it all out. He was, like, ‘Enough.’ ”
To make matters even more foolish, The New Yorker did a behind the scenes interview with Hoffman. Prince revealed to her that he isn't black and didn't vote in "earthly contests" like the most important election of our lifetime -- the 2008 presidential election. Here is an excerpt:
He told me he didn’t have a horse in the November election and that he didn’t believe in getting involved with these kind of earthly contests. I had asked him if the fact that Obama was black didn’t compel him to get involved.
He said, “Why?”
And I said, Well, because you’re black.
And he said “Am I?” and held up his wrist next to my ruddy one. Indeed his skin was lighter, and he cracked up.
Now, we all know Prince tried to pass for biracial back in the day. Allegedly, his father went on a local Minneapolis radio station and said he was "insulted" that Prince did not cast a black woman as his mother in Purple Rain.
Prince must truly be living in his own purple-speckled universe if he doesn't vote and doesn't think he is black -- I remember him shouting racism during the Warner Bros. record label battle in the '90's!
What the hell is an androgynous, make-up wearing, looking like an 80's gay porn turbo bottom going to do without his gay and black fan base?
If Prince was misquoted, he needs to make an official statement -- not a "Prince insider." It's no secret that Prince does not allow tape recorders in any of his interviews, so journalists are forced paraphrase and jot down notes. Regardless, I highly doubt Hoffman made up Prince's philosophical, Bible-beating statements.
Check out this interesting video with Kevin Smith of Jay and Silent Bob, talking about his bizarre experience working with Prince. You can watch all four parts by clicking on the video -- it's worth it to watch!
