JAN 22 - JAN 28, 2020 THE ULTIMATE QUEER GUIDE THIS WEEK

causes. His fame brought him to play at
the White House while Richard Nixon was
president. Nixon asked him to play, "Okie
from Muskogee" about drug users and war
protesters, and "Welfare Cadillac", which
put down the needs of welfare recipients.
Instead, Cash played "A Boy Named Sue",
and "the Ballad of Ira Hayes", about a
WWII Native American veteran who was
mistreated when returning from the war.
Cash was also a major protester of the
Vietnam War. He stated that he wore black
on behalf of the poor and hungry on behalf
of the prisoner who has long paid for his
crime and .... for those who were betrayed by
age or drugs Regarding the war in Vietnam,
he said he wore black in mourning "for the
lives that could have been" Throughout his
life he had been plagued by drug abuse and
health problems.
His life was an anomaly in many ways, He
was a friend of Billy Graham and narrated
a film by Graham on the Life of Jesus.
However, since it has become common
knowledge that Billy Graham and his
enterprises were actually exploiting the
poor and downtrodden and supporting
white supremest groups and the NRA,
along with the Republican mantra of similar
exploitations. Cash's association was
primarily as a result of his religious faith and
not the political and social downfalls of Billy
Graham.
Johnny Cash's music has become recognized
as informing on aspects of social injustice.
He was a-political and would not give
allegiance to either political party, although
he did develop a close friendship with
Jimmy Carter. Historically his music
will be remembered as informing and
uniting, which is much needed in this time
of division and obstruction during the
impeachment of a tyrannical president.
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