Radicals Target the Wrong Man : Absurd protest against singer Paul Simon

Paul Simon’s hugely successful 1986 “Graceland” album drew attention to black South Africa’s rich musical heritage, and to that country’s troubled racial history. Although not political in itself, “Graceland,” inspired by recording sessions in South Africa, certainly helped raise general consciousness about the nature of apartheid. And who knows--it might even have played a small role in helping to begin to unravel that invidious and odious form of oppression.

Now that the long cultural boycott of South Africa is finally ending, it is fitting that Simon be among the first American performers to arrive there. It is therefore most unfortunate that two left-wing extremist groups have threatened to disrupt his five-concert tour, scheduled to begin tonight in Johannesburg. Simon ought to be allowed to present his concerts in peace.

The issue isn’t really about Simon, anyway, but the constitutional negotiations now under way with President Frederik W. de Klerk. The African National Congress, the large and influential anti-apartheid group led by Nelson Mandela, and nearly two dozen other groups began meeting with De Klerk last month. The groups hope to agree on a new constitution that will guarantee that the black majority can vote.

But a few left-wing groups, including the Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC) and Azanian People’s Organization (AZAPO), don’t believe that process will result in black majority rule, and so they have boycotted the negotiations. High-profile protests against easing the cultural boycott is, to the protesters, a logical extension of that controversy.

It should be noted that the ANC has also put up road blocks for artists who want to come to South Africa by requiring them to get ANC approval first. But, while it’s understandable that the ANC would want to give first crack to its supporters, the practice smacks of censorship. This hangover from the cultural boycott, originally designed to isolate white South Africans and force the government to abandon apartheid, should be dropped right away.

But the tactic of threatening violence goes far beyond trying to exercise pre-approval. It’s a desperate ploy by the PAC and AZAPO to call attention to their causes. If there are violent incidents at Simon’s concerts, that would serve only to undermine the undeniably just cause of black South Africans by scaring away other performers.

Simon should be able to bring “Graceland” and his other music to Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Durban and Cape Town without incident. South Africans provided Simon’s inspiration, and South Africans deserve to see his performance.