> Not to be an ugly American, but would the "playing it
> safe America" be the same America that gave the world
> jazz -- the most meaningful addition to the arts in
> the 20th century?
>
i dare not speculate on what is the most meaningful addition to the arts, but regarding the first part of your message: what does it mean to say "america" gave the world jazz? did not the black people give jazz to the world (excluding all the cuban, african and south american influences)? to what extent is it meaningful to appropriate the contribution of a minority oppressed group (black americans) as that of "america"?
--ravi