A David Duke WHAT???!?

THIS is what happens to children who grow up too fast; to children who become media darlings before they've even graduated from high school.  High school is boot camp for the rest of your life, and if you find yourself out in adult land with no structure and no boundaries, you'll never learn stuff like...don't pull the pin on that hand grenade and just stand around holding it.  There will certainly be consequences if you do.

John Mayer was a Grammy Award winning artist at 17, and I remember watching his self-conscious geeky performance on Saturday Night Live and thinking "wow what a heavy load to bear when you're just a kid."  I was also amazed and impressed with his talent.  But John didn't complete boot camp, and if you read his Playboy interview you'll get a glimpse the hazards therein.

Narcissistic, seemingly unable to manifest positive connections with other human beings, and clueless to the impact of his words on those who (at the very least) loved his music; say nothing of those women who shared themselves with him - and I'm not gonna jump into that mess - I'm guessing that somewhere Jennifer Aniston is trying to keep Gerard Butler from going all Leonidas on his ass.

This is the result of youthful entitlement coupled with poor social skills and way too much weed:

PLAYBOY: If you didn’t know you, would you think you’re a douche bag?

MAYER: It depends on what I picked up. My two biggest hits are “Your Body Is a Wonderland” and “Daughters.” If you think those songs are pandering, then you’ll think I’m a douche bag. It’s like I come on very strong. I am a very…I’m just very. V-E-R-Y. And if you can’t handle very, then I’m a douche bag. But I think the world needs a little very. That’s why black people love me.

PLAYBOY: Because you’re very?

MAYER: Someone asked me the other day, “What does it feel like now to have a hood pass?” And by the way, it’s sort of a contradiction in terms, because if you really had a hood pass, you could call it a nigger pass. Why are you pulling a punch and calling it a hood pass if you really have a hood pass? But I said, “I can’t really have a hood pass. I’ve never walked into a restaurant, asked for a table and been told, ‘We’re full.’" 

Anytime you see "That's why black people love me" in a sentence, be prepared to be horrified.

Seriously John?!  The guy is a BLUES musician!  I'm sure his idols would totally understand his reference to a "nigger pass" coming from a coddled, wealthy white guy; because nothing shows homage to your influences like the use of the "N" word.

And then there's this little gem:

PLAYBOY: Do black women throw themselves at you?

MAYER: I don’t think I open myself to it. My dick is sort of like a white supremacist. I’ve got a Benetton heart and a fuckin’ David Duke cock. I’m going to start dating separately from my dick.

We all have our preferences when it comes to dating, there's no denying that.  But to invoke David Duke when referring to what may or may not come in contact with your dick...well, that sends an entirely different message.  I heard it loud and clear, and so did a nation of black (and white) women who are commenting ALL over the interwebs.  Latoya over at Jezebel sums it up nicely(but for some reason the link won't embed, so here it is:http://jezebel.com/5469484/its-impossible-to-have-a-benetton-heart-and-a-white-supremacist-dick?skyline=true&s=i)

"Racism is not clever. Trying to lampoon racism by perpetuating racist stereotypes about black women, using racial slurs, and claiming to have a pass is just idiocy masquerading as wit. Or, as Farai Chideya explains at the Huffington Post: "The reality is that, it's insulting to say black people love you and then profoundly misunderstand the difference between entitlement and humor."

Note to John Mayer...a person who claims to have a Benetton heart would welcome all colors of vajayjay...and in fact, would revel in it.

Of course, he's backtracking and apologizing all over town.  Last night in Nashville he waxed poetic to his fans about his attempt at being "clever."  Good for him.  Farai Chideya over at The Huffington Post brings up a critical point by reminding us that "not one, but two of Mayer's songs (including "My Stupid Mouth") contain the line "I'm never speaking up again," and now he may well feel like taking his own advice. But that would be a shame. Sometimes the only way to learn is by messing up, getting checked... and then learning to check yourself."

I've always said that what's in your heart will always eventually come out of your mouth.   I think the gentleman below says it a whole lot better than I ever could.