She was certainly one contemporary woman influential in opening the minds of women. But, she isn't the real deal, more show and image than substance, as Kansascity pointed out.

Women like Bessie Smith, Anais Nin, Sarah Bernhardt, Gina Lola Bridgitta. Real scholars like Camille Paglia, Bridgette Bardot, Marilyn, and many others.

By Kansascity (209.242.125.148) on Wednesday, April 4, 2001 - 10:31 am:

Its all IMAGE and not real substance as far as 'breaking the bounds on sexism, racism, and ageism'. Madonna's done nothing for those issues at all! She is about fantasy only. There is a huge difference between that and reality. And, yes, she is a corrupting enfluence on youth (and adults). Then, she calls herself 'Modanna' which is blasphemey. She's also a witch. Watch how she ages and see what I mean. She scares me. If people have any common sense at all, they'll totally avoid being taken in by her.
I do not want anyone defining all women by her standard. This is not LIBERATION. It is sexploitation and slavery in the end.
As far as accepting love across race and cultural differences is concerned, Modonna's act/message has got nothing to do with LOVE. God help us all if you think so. Take care :-

By Anon2000 (207.218.73.7) on Tuesday, February 6, 2001 - 10:48 pm:

yes, roberto, i remember madonna from the very beginning of her mtv career. she was definitely different! i distinctly remember madonna's video "like a prayer", where she has a love scene with a black saint, portrayed by the actor, leon (cool runnings). that video was at the very beginning of my "switch". i really loved the fact that they showed that scene on teevee, for all to see.

thanks for the memory *smile*

By Roberto (152.163.207.69) on Tuesday, February 6, 2001 - 09:23 pm:

I'm sure many will disagree with me and that is, I think Madonna liberated white females to be open in sexual expression. This lady who feared not what anyone thought of her, did more to free up the thinking of white women to be free in spirit by pushing the boundaries of interracial sex, and pushed buttons on race, than any white female in my recent memory. I have been following this woman for the last two decades. I danced to her music "Everybody" on the dance floors in the night clubs of Panama in the 1980's, and to "Erotica" on the Euro-Techno music dance floors in Germany in the 1990's. From afar, I have seen how this woman broke the bounds on sexism, racism, and ageism. She took sex beyond America's hypocritical treatment to female sexual expression, which cost her. Many will blame her for the sexual corruption of America's youth, but many believe as far as white women are concern she has been a liberating force to white females to accept love beyond race and cultural differences.

You may not agree with her, but you have to say, she had courage to do the things she had done. ~ Roberto