News-Record.com

Let me get this correct; Fantasia, the "hometown girl." Is this the same Fantasia that "faster than a speeding bullet" left her "hometown" upon winning American Idol? The same Fantasia who dropped out of school? The same Fantasia who was pregnanty and a "parent" by the time she was roughly 16 years old?

If these are the best people to make the Triad and North Carolina proud, we have GREAT STRIDES to make!

Shalom

We are proud of Fantasia. She could have remained a victim of her circumstance and live off of society. But no, she chose to get up and do something about her situation. Obviously, Shalom has never made any mistakes. If he/she had, they wouldn't be putting other people down. I've heard rave reviews about Fantasia's performance in the color purple. Try being happy for someone. It feels a lot better. Keep going Tasia!

We are proud of Fantasia. She could have remained a victim of her circumstance and live off of society. But no, she chose to get up and do something about her situation. Obviously, Shalom (Darryl)has never made any mistakes. If he had, he wouldn't be putting other people down. I've heard rave reviews about Fantasia's performance in The Color Purple. Try being happy for someone. It feels a lot better. Keep going Fantasia!

I too am proud of Fantasia for all she has overcome. I think most of the criticism she's received from people like Shalom is unjustified. Her perception of her hometown and desire to leave is simply HER viewpoint and perogative, not to say it's right or wrong. I don't think you can criticize someone for how they perceive things. And with comments like Shalom's, I can understand her wanting to distance herself from the negativity, perceptions, and general attitude she probably faced living in High Point as an unwed poor black mother.

What do you mean by 'we'?

Tasia?

And, as far as hometown girl, the writer was from Greensboro. Fantasia was from High Point, right?

Same Fantasia who made disparaging remarks about High Point calling it the "Land of the Dead". Same Fantasia who blamed the school system for her being illiterate?

Don't get me wrong. I really like Fantasia. She's the only American Idol I ever voted for. But I wouldn't go as far as saying she does the Triad and North Carolina proud and I resented her disparaging remarks about the area that heavily supported her and likely caused her to reach the top of American Idol with their votes.

And his name is Darryl, not Shalom.

Shalom is a hebrew word. I think in this case it is meant as 'peace'.

"High Point is a depressing place for anyone who's not a furniture store owner. High Point is all about furniture and nothing else."

There are two High Points, old and new. The old, provincial, Emerywood High Point is pretty much the one Fantasia described above.

There were people on Fantasia's season of American Idol from bigger cities. We didn't win American Idol. She did.

And she continues to win, because she doesn't expect the world to come to her. She goes to it, and she still works hard for a living. Only now the lights are brighter and the rewards greater.

Good for her.

Another rare occasion where you and I are in accord, Darryl. I realize that's probably embarrassing for you ... but there it is.

Last time I drove into High Point, I noticed there were still "Fantasia" signs near the city limits. Considering her "trashing" of the city, I was a little surprised. Odd, no?

Jack,

I was more than a little surprised that a town the size of High Point would put up a sign stating that a girl who lived there had won American Idol.

Out of all the folks who have done well coming out of High Point, they choose to put up a bunch of signs honoring an American Idol?

Downright silly.

I've spent a lot of time in both cities. I'd take old or new High Point over Greensboro any day of the week. Just my personal opinion and taste.

Excellent point, nitpicker. High Point is the childhood home of John Coltrane, the world-class jazz saxophonist. A statue of him has been erected downtown.

It would be MUCH more to the elevating to the city's stature to replace the FB signs with JC signs.

uhh ... scratch the first "to the" in the last paragraph.

Jack,

I bet more people know about "Tasia" than John Coltrane.

Have a great weekend. I have absolutely NOTHING planned for a change and I'm loving it.

I'm certain you're right about that, nitpicker. All the more reason to promote JC.

As "Tasia" herself might say, "Tasia don't need no mo' publisty. I gots all de publisty I needs."

Have a good weekend.

Nit & Jack,
Most of High Point has no idea about John Coltrane----which makes the point about High Point being, well being "dead". Personally, I think Coltrane and Murrow should be covered in the local school Social Studies classes as they were huge influences in their respective areas of expertise. While Hamlet has a Historical Marker stating Coltrane was born there, High Point played a pivotal role in Coltrane's life during the formative years. Name a school after Coltrane!
Ed Murrow called MaCarthy out, back when America was timid, not unlike today, to being seen as "unpatriotic". Most serious television journalists say their single most important hero is Edward R. Murrow. I agree with local gadfly, Joe Stafford, name a school after Murrow!

Jack, I come across as somewhat "other" than intended sometimes. Yet, even those who disagree with me most often find times where they do agree with me. Odd? No, it just means that I am truly eclectic. One never fully understands a true eclectic because like the chameleon, we adapt to our surroundings to stay safe; sometimes not for the good either.

I stand by my comments on Fantasia. I saw her on the "Live with Regis & Kelly" program today. I must say that her public dress leaves some room for improvement for me.

And as nit has noted, Fantasia blamed the GCS System for her illiteracy! She chose not to learn or address her inabilities to her teacher/s. That is not the fault of GCS! Why not talk about taking personal responsiblity? And do NOT even begin to comment that it is not easy to speak up. That is a tired and lame excuse! The old saying, "the squeeky wheel gets the most oil" comes to mind. See what happens when the wheel remains still.....Simon Cowell and American Idol come along to save all of them!

Notice how few, if any of the American Idol winners had any other career paths. Anyone besides myself find that interesting or odd? Go figure.

And yes, shalom is a Hebrew word. The translation is; peace, wholeness, wellness, complete, not lacking. With that I bid each .........

Shalom

After reading all of your comments, I had to think of the over all preception of N.C. Though we have some ways to go, as a state in general we are pretty educated. When others whom are not formilar with an area read and view someone's outwardly appearence and demeanor, that's how they judge the area that individual comes from. so when your comments are as ugly as the comments made by Fantaisa, it not only discredited High Point and NC, but her and her family as well . she is first a product of her family and then the community. And though I am very proud of fantasia and any other successful person coming from NC, It sickens me to listen to native north carolinans getting out in the mainstream and make it seem as though it's hard to speak correct english.
(Goldie included)for those who know who Goldie is.