Icy Response
Thank you for the article on Vanilla Ice (March 15). I appreciate
your giving him the opportunity to address the public. I also admired
the respect you showed him. He is very talented, and I hope he
continues his huge success. I love you, Ice.
Suzanne D. Gramling
Dickson, Tenn.
Your story on Vanilla Ice was truly insightful. I'm really glad to
hear that Vanilla considers himself to be a role model. In fact, my
very existence hinges on every word he utters. What a fine example
he's setting for all of us. I especially adored the wonderful photo
of Mr. Ice grabbing his crotch. What a guy! Maybe you should do an
''Ice Update'' in every issue.
Navarro Parker
Wichita, Kan.
I just read the intriguing article on Vanilla Ice by Linda
Sanders. Many may criticize Ice, saying he doesn't rap about what
other rappers do, but can they be compared? Ice has his own style,
and this is one talented dude. Most people don't like him because
he's white and somewhat self-centered, but hey, he raps good, right?
Word to ya mutha!
Ashok Bhalla
Manhattan
As a black American I find it very offensive that ''being in
trouble'' and having an ''attitude problem'' constitute having a black
experience, as Vanilla Ice seems to think. Being a white American, he
can never hope to understand fully the anguish and anger in black
rappers' music. I'm not saying he isn't talented or that he doesn't
have the right to rap; he does. However, I do think it is a shame
when a pseudo-attitude like his outsells other (legitimate) rap
artists because his audience just happens to be white teenybopper
girls.
James T. Jackson
Louisville, Ky.
Your cover story should have read: ''So Who Is Vanilla Ice?...The
Answer Is Gay-basher!'' Violent hate crimes are becoming an epidemic.
This is not a harmless schoolboy prank. It's just too bad he feels
''so terrible'' about it now. Let's help him feel even worse by
speeding up the end of his undeserved, flash-in-the-pan career.
Ross Tang
Burbank, Calif.
Showstopper
Shame on you for giving any circus a grade of A. The only thing a
circus accomplishes is exploiting animals. Anyone who buys a ticket
to the circus is contributing to cruelty to animals, and in my book
that is a definite F.
Amy May Musselman
Fredericksburg, Va.
Rock and War
I found David Browne's essay ''Rock During Wartime'' interesting
until the very last paragraph and the snide remark that finished it
off. What makes you think that Donnie Wahlberg's view on the war, or
any other issue, is any less valid than Sinead O'Connor's or anyone
else's in the ''pop-rock community''? I suggest you keep your cheap
shots to yourself. Maybe you can learn something from a New Kid on
the Block.
Marianne Cadena
North Miami
Correction
The Hurrell photographs of movie stars in the story ''Best
Pictures'' (March 22) should have been credited to the Bill Chapman
Collection. We regret the error.
