I spent three days pondering this question, wrestling with the idea - Should someone's world views overwhelm their ability as a writer and thoughtful music critic? Could someone's opinions on socio-political subjects really have any bearing on something as benign as giving one's opinion on rock music? Was it even possible to hold beliefs that would stand in contradiction to a publication that was informative and educational but in essence, entertainment??

Every company, organization or group has an identity, and each member of that community tends to share certain ideals and values, even if they are very basic and broad. In essense, gun control advocates don't hang out at NRA meetings, and recovering addicts don't spend time at known crack houses. Although within these group affiliations the political climate varies widely from person to person, some fundamental positions remain. The adult workplace is no different in this respect. I know of a small liberal arts college that declined to offer a Department Chair of African-American Studies position to the most qualified person because he was white, gay and in a bi-racial committed relationship. On a more personal level, I was once denied a position in AIDS education because the clientele was primarily of a different race. I won't even begin to relay the countless tales of women rock writers who aren't taken seriously because of their gender....But knowing this, why would someone who pens political commentaries about the evils of feminism want to write for a women-owned and operated magazine?

A rape crisis center I once volunteered for made it blantantly known that they discussed abortion as an option during client therapy. While this didn't preclude anti-abortion advocates as volunteers, provided they kept their opinions quiet and complied with the center's policies, it certainly didn't present the most welcoming environment. Much as someone who disagrees with Augusta Country Club's all male restrictions wouldn't fork over their hard-earned cash for membership, advertising or sponsorship, an anti-abortionist probably wouldn't choose to counsel there. So, with that philosophy in mind, I approached this writer to inquire about his definition of feminism and how it fit with what he saw at Score! Music. I was, in effect, giving him the opportunity to save himself by either withdrawing quietly or offering up a reasonable caveat to his misogynistic and misguided discourse. Unfortunately, his response was that he didn't have time to refute my statements and could tolerate differing opinions on this matter.

How very generous.

Truthfully, his stance on gender politics very well could've gone without notice; it's not as if we regularly engage in debates over chips and salsa. However, his self-description as a political writer and habit of publishing his diatribes, not to mention his submission of the aforementioned essay as a pre-employment writing sample, forced the matter to be addressed. His subsequent inability to recognize and/or accept how his views can and will affect other areas of his life, and his blase attitude toward discussing it solidified my final inevitable decision. The American Beef Association will never partner with PETA, and a Jewish center will never hire a self-proclaimed white supremist. Having an arrogant, if not young and uninformed, chauvanist representing Score! Music Magazine would've caused our entire image to be fraudulent. At best, our credibility could be questioned; at worst, we could be seen as condoning his antiquated beliefs. And that was simply unacceptable.