Scott LaFaro: "White Imitator?"

[grackle]

Originally posted by Chris Fitzgerald
I only had to edit it because of complaints. If the parties who complained wish to email me and withdraw the objections, I'll put it back.

Waddaya say, folks? We're all adults here.

I thought it was at best lazy, and at worst in poor taste, to present the Armstrong quote without any context (or attribution!). The "quote" as posted was innacurate and used a word that is arguably more offensive than what Armstrong was reported to say.

Given this, the original post didn't seem to advance the discussion of this touchy subject. It just seemed like flamebait. I still think the original post was innapropriate.

[Pete OLeary]

Originally posted by grackle


I thought it was at best lazy, and at worst in poor taste, to present the Armstrong quote without any context (or attribution!). The "quote" as posted was innacurate and used a word that is arguably more offensive than what Armstrong was reported to say.

Being the offending party, I will cop to being lazy and even inaccurate. I have read the quote both ways (with "N" and with "S" words). I incorrectly ass-u-ME-d that most had read the same.

Given this, the original post didn't seem to advance the discussion of this touchy subject. It just seemed like flamebait. I still think the original post was innapropriate.

I won't cop to posting flamebait. I think this quote stands on its own as a commentary on race issues in music at the time it was made. Further reading on Armstrong's later experiences with Afrocentrism in regards to jazz provides further insight into this issue to someone who is willing to place it in context.

[Marcus Johnson]

I didn't take it as flamebait. That quote, whether genuine or urban legend, is part of the educational lexicon of any jazz player of my vintage. In the context of the thread, it fit, and is no more inappropriate than any of Stanley Crouch's meanderings, which get published worldwide. But what do I know, I'm just a f***in' haole....