Snoop and Friends

I find it interesting that MTV should find itself in a quandary regarding the possible convictions of rappers Snoop Doggy Dogg and 2Pac, as reported in Pop Eye (Feb. 13).

Since when are artists’ works prone to scrutiny in light of their private lives? While I find the alleged actions of these two to be reprehensible, and their music not to my specific tastes, I wonder if their works are being condemned because they are black males in a realm of music deemed too threatening by many people (i.e., straight white elders of American society).

Yet how many of us question whether to give continued attention to Ernest Hemingway, Frank Sinatra, Ted Kennedy and the Pope, regardless of allegations of violence and mayhem.

ANTHONY REED

Santa Barbara