• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Music vs. Racism

#21
Smokin' Toaster said:
.......

Skin color is[DEL]an accident[/DEL] a condition of birth, not an accomplishment.

.....
Click to expand...

Not trying to be hyper-sensitive because I totally get the spirit of what you are saying. It's just that the word "accident" implies that something happened that should not have happened. Skin tones are different, not right or wrong....not privileges or mistakes.

But I hear where your heart is at, so I hope I'm not offending you with the modification.
 
#22
malthumb said:
Not trying to be hyper-sensitive because I totally get the spirit of what you are saying. It's just that the word "accident" implies that something happened that should not have happened. Skin tones are different, not right or wrong....not privileges or mistakes.

But I hear where your heart is at, so I hope I'm not offending you with the modification.
Click to expand...

Not at all, malthumb. I was just re-using the often-used phrase "accident of birth", as in the birthee had nothing to do with it. I see where you are coming from though and it's a good clarification.
 
#23
Smokin' Toaster said:
And the flipside of that coin is this: "If the biggest thing you have to be proud of is is the color of your skin, you really should go out and accomplish something that you actually have something to do with that you can be proud of.
Click to expand...

That is the thing, though - groups like the KKK are most appealing to the underprivileged, who are desperately struggling to feel that at least they are superior to somebody somehow... It's no longer a matter of trying to enforce (or revive) Jim Crow. It's not even a southern thing any more. When I was living in Indiana, the KKK HQ was transferred to a town just up the road.
 
#24
hrodbert696 said:
That is the thing, though - groups like the KKK are most appealing to the underprivileged, who are desperately struggling to feel that at least they are superior to somebody somehow... It's no longer a matter of trying to enforce (or revive) Jim Crow. It's not even a southern thing any more. When I was living in Indiana, the KKK HQ was transferred to a town just up the road.
Click to expand...

We've got a one of the highest concentrations of em right here in OC, believe it or not. I found it hard to believe at first
 
#27
Wow, fantastic stuff. I'm fairly certain that I had breakfast with a friend of Latin American descent in a restaurant owned by Klan-members. Nobody bothered us, the food was damn good, and we left a tip. But thinking on it afterwards...kinda freaky.

Another interesting thing: that particular friend lived maybe 5 miles from the Grand Wizard of the KKK in Maryland. Unfortunately, for their safety and because their job says so, I don't feel comfortable revealing any more than that.

Peace,
Greg
 
#28
slobake said:
Wow, great article. I love this quote:
"Invite your enemy to talk. Give them a platform to talk because then they will reciprocate. Invite your enemies to sit down and join you. You never know; some small thing you say might give them food for thought, and you will learn from them. Establish dialogue. It’s when the talking stops that the ground becomes fertile for fighting."
If I let people talk and listen I might learn something about them that can open doors to more conversation.
Click to expand...

Reading that section, I don't know that I would be able to do that very well.
 
#29
slobake said:
Wow, great article. I love this quote:
"Invite your enemy to talk. Give them a platform to talk because then they will reciprocate. Invite your enemies to sit down and join you. You never know; some small thing you say might give them food for thought, and you will learn from them. Establish dialogue. It’s when the talking stops that the ground becomes fertile for fighting."
If I let people talk and listen I might learn something about them that can open doors to more conversation.
Click to expand...

To that same end, I learned one of the finest life lessons from Victor Wooten while attending his camp in 2001 (which I highly recommend to everyone as a good life experience, not just a bass vacation). Against violence to his core, Victor began martial arts training years ago. He also learns music on bass that he can't stand to listen to all the time. Why? "I can learn much more from things I don't like than from things a already like and am comfortable with." This is why I am able to have thoughtful conversations here in TBOT with people I completely disagree with and not feel any resentment whatsoever. Hopefully we can at least learn something from each other. Just because I disagree with you, that doesn't mean I can't gain understanding as to why you feel the way you do...... and respect that context you bring to the discussion.

If more people could apply the author's principles and Victor's principles to their daily lives I think we could all get along much better, and perhaps even learn from each other.
 
#30
I agree with the above post, I would add, it helps not to stare racism in the face, alone. Everybody needs emotional support sometimes when dealing with difficult issues. No man is an Island. Hey it never hurts to have friends, right?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back