DJ in NYC

[Lee]

There's some interesting commentary on DJ's two recent shows in NYC here. 

[Judgemental Jones]

I saw the Highline show in NYC with my bro. It was beautiful. The idea that there should be any kind of censorship or concern over "jew jokes" or whatever nonsense the professional offendees got riled up about is ridiculous. Why not have him check with someone about every thing he says? I mean, hell, if even one person gets offended, that should curtail art, right? How about replacing the swastikas in The Sound of Music, and getting rid of the stereotypical Jewish accents in Fiddler?

Daniel should perform as he pleases. If people want to censor and get pissed about racial issues, start with rap and work your way up.

It was an intense 2 days up in New York and Daniel's magic permeated throughout. My life has been further changed. Thanks, Daniel.

[richtupica]

2 hour set!
that would have been kick ass!

[PaulTMA]

Anyone got any thoughts?  I'm worried that the comments could blight Daniel's reputation.  Daniel has never come across as a hateful person, but where is he coming from with this joke?  I don't believe for a second he can be a racist, but it's a confusing comment and there will be those who are quick to condemn for their own sense of righteousness.

[Henry Long]

This is a tough one, and I've given it alot of thought before posting any personal opinions. The "joke" linked above wasn't funny, was in poor taste to say the least, and is indeed quite offensive. I've asked myself a number of times as to the "whys?" (or more directly, "What the HELL was he thinking?"). I am at a loss.

I will not defend Daniel or pretend to understand any motivations behind what Daniel does or says, but I can’t really ignore it either. I can offer this...and it is only an opinion...

My dad fought in World War II. Born in America of German and Welsh immigrants. He was stationed in Italy and saw the public mutilation of Mussolini's corpse. Saw alot of crazy stuff, really. And he never talked about it, ever. However, certain lingos, jokes or phrases, (which I am sure originally existed as a way to "laugh off" or rather laugh-over the insanity of the various atrocities of that war) were sometimes heard in our household. I'm talking Polish jokes, German jokes, Jewish jokes, Italian jokes and so on. Derogatory words used to describe certain racial stereotypes. Pick a scape goat, y'know? I don't need to give any examples here. We all know them no matter what your background. By my young teens (the 70's) these words were pretty much a thing of the past, or at least something rarely, if ever uttered. Maybe when the uncles got together and had too many beers. Maybe in the company of other men who fought in that war. He's been gone now for 8 years, and I honestly think the last time I heard anyone say anything remotely along those lines was at his funeral. Probably from a relative. Probably had a few on the way to the viewing. Again, probably as a release of nervous energy or as a way to mask or "laugh-over" the loss this person was really feeling towards my father. Whatever. I chose not to continue such a vocabulary into my personal life, and will call people on it if they choose otherwise around me. It's just how I am. And still, I have to work at it once in awhile. It's SO built in to the culture.

I think because Daniel still lives at home (or had up until last year, and still has his meals and so on with his folks), in Texas, and because that generation (his dad, my dad, etc.) who fought that war are the ones who popularized those jokes, insults and racial slurs, (at least in this country), it is likely something Daniel still on occasion hears. And perhaps in moments of nervous energy or insecurity or who knows...will unfortunately blurt out, trying to be funny.

I know it sounds as if I am over analyzing this. I'm sorry. I mean, he DOES have mental health issues, people. That's been well documented. He says some crazy stuff once in awhile. Look it up. It's not like it was uttered by the Dali Lama or The President (strike that) or something. He F'd up. He SHOULD have known better. I'm sure he's heard about it from his family and his friends, (and fans!), and I’m sure we’ve all been guilty of something not unlike it at some point in our lives. If anyone’s been paying attention to the American press these recent months (any why would anyone, really? It’s all propaganda...but I digress) it seems alot of people in the public eye have been saying some STUPID ****. Politicians to Shock Jocks. Racial slurs to insensitive, hurtful, hateful statements. It has ruined careers. There is much to be learned and even more to be discussed openly regarding our insecurities as a species, and why we lash out at some “other,” be that other gay, or black, or female, or male, or catholic, or jewish, or emo...or fill-in-the-blank. I hope someday we can understand how connected we all truly are, to each other and everything around us. But until then, I’m afraid we’re gonna slip up now and then, and hopefully learn from the experience.

Joseph Campbell once said that the job of a war propagandist is to turn the enemy into an “It” instead of a “Thou.” May we all try to remember to see behind ALL words of hate. And may we never feel anything less than a Thou, for ourselves as well as one another.

You know, that suicide joke isn't funny either, and he's been using that one for 20 years.

[richtupica]

this is kinda like when Muhammad Ali told the "black and mexican" joke...

If this was Dave Chappelle people would think it was brilliant!

Rick James bitch!!

[silver]

when i saw DJ at knitting factory in LA in 200? , when he left stage he said "Heil hitler." I'm guessing his religious views have led him to a place of blaming jews for killing jesus or something. I'm guessing. You still cannot argue with the fact DJ is extremely talented and makes great songs. I have always thought if I ever met him in real life though he would not be a person I would be particularly fond. Look at his artwork from last few years. He has swastikas plastered all over everything.

[PaulTMA]

Daniel's own father fought in WWII and is understood to have reprimanded him over the 'joke'  (see article linked about).  His unpleasant 'Ratzoid' character seems too surreal and stupid to indicate any serious Nazi sympathies on Daniel's part, but...


Why, Daniel, why?


I hate to sound so predictable, but surely this isn't just another case of his new-found fame taking over his mental state, again?

Also, there seems to be some creep repeatedly recounting the joke on Wikipedia to fulfill his own sense of otherwise non-existent righteousness.  It's a person who clearly had no real insider knowledge about Dnaiel.  The c***t.   Delete it if you care to - I will where I find the time.

And if you're reading this - **** you.

[silver]

This is the imagery I'm talking about.

http://store.hihowareyou.com/images/products/tn_S3104med.jpg

does anyone know what it means?

[richtupica]

It's art, it doesn't have to mean anything.
it was in his head.

[madnell]

hi folks,

perhaps the image

http://store.hihowareyou.com/images/products/tn_S3104med.jpg

is a social commentary about certain current conditions.

peace & love ~ m

[silver]

It's art, it doesn't have to mean anything.
it was in his head.

You must not be very familiar with Daniel's work. EVERYTHING means something. The swastika-like symbols mean something in his mythology, but they have not been discussed anywhere I've seen. I know there are people reading these forums that can explain and no one does which makes me think it's not something most people would want to hear about.

[OhJoy]

I love Daniel Johnston.
I don't know Daniel Johnston like some of you do, but I love him none the less.

The delivery of the joke from youtube made me cringe.
At the time I heard no reports or fallout, the joke bombed with the crowd.
I didn't realize he'd told the joke before and had no idea he'd tell it again.
It seemed that someone would pull him aside and tell him it's not politically correct.

Now, there is so much talk going on about this.
I feel bad for Daniel.
It seems it was a joke, something that he processed in his head and there was no filter for it.
I can imagine people around him hear interesting things that slip through.
If you were sitting in his living room imagine what might be heard.
(and I don't mean bad, horrible things, just amazing thoughts)

that suicide joke isn't funny either

I have a friend (not on medication) that reminds me so much of Daniel 20 years ago.
He often has mentioned suicide and the law, and the fear of being thrown in jail for a botched attempt. 

So for me the two jokes stacked together ring of sadness.

There are people that can read a crowd and retell a funny story and entertain.
And then there are people like me that can maybe get out a two line joke and someone might be amused. The joke you stumble over with a friend (that might get a groan) you would never tell to a room full of guests. Daniel's joke was in poor taste. His dad and his brother along with the media let him know.

I do sort of wonder if with a room full of fans that he might have felt like he was surrounded by friends in his converted garage/studio room. I might be blind when it comes to Daniel but in my heart I don't believe he meant to hurt anyone.

[richtupica]

It's art, it doesn't have to mean anything.
it was in his head.

You must not be very familiar with Daniel's work. EVERYTHING means something. The swastika-like symbols mean something in his mythology, but they have not been discussed anywhere I've seen. I know there are people reading these forums that can explain and no one does which makes me think it's not something most people would want to hear about.

EVERYTHING is usually an over statement.
And what I really meant was: Art doesn't have to be what you 'believe in' (it comes from your head is what I meant, not always your belief-system.)

Yeah his art has themes and stories, but that doesn't mean that he is a Nazi, but if you want to make people think that about him on a public message board (without knowing for sure) that’s your own deal.
I'm (seriously) not trying to start a pissing-match, but, I just feel that people are blowing this out of proportion...If I HAD to guess, I'd say that Dan's meds may inhibit his common sense and standards, maybe (probably) I'm wrong, I'm not a doctor, its just a thought. I know that some of those pills can really weigh you down in more than one way.

[madnell]

this too shall pass

for the love of daniel
let's let it go

go, go, go, go, go