Thank you for this piece. And good for you for objecting. Racism is a huge waste of time and is incredibly hurtful. Really destructive. Navigating one's place as a Black American is frought, then and now. Whites could have done so much better. But they largely didn't. And aren't. I feel most of the time like I don't need to hear anything that whites might have to say. Tends to be enmeshed in selfish and deluded zero sum nonsense. Frankly white culture is just not relevant in my heart, and not moving the sticks. I appreciate your writing.
I grew up in NY and had similar choral experiences, though with different outcomes. The most influential choral directors I had were African Americans. 8th & 9th grade - Mr Nichols. 10th grade - John Motley. I was oblivious to the skills I had.
I really enjoy your writing. Thank you for keeping my eyes open.
Cheers! Bravo! That was me cheering the young man for the song he didn’t sing.
That songs reminds me of the scene from Blazing Saddles. The N word is used in the scene but of course that’s Mel Brooks’ fight against racism, not an endorsement.
Thank you for this piece. And good for you for objecting. Racism is a huge waste of time and is incredibly hurtful. Really destructive. Navigating one's place as a Black American is frought, then and now. Whites could have done so much better. But they largely didn't. And aren't. I feel most of the time like I don't need to hear anything that whites might have to say. Tends to be enmeshed in selfish and deluded zero sum nonsense. Frankly white culture is just not relevant in my heart, and not moving the sticks. I appreciate your writing.
I grew up in NY and had similar choral experiences, though with different outcomes. The most influential choral directors I had were African Americans. 8th & 9th grade - Mr Nichols. 10th grade - John Motley. I was oblivious to the skills I had.
I really enjoy your writing. Thank you for keeping my eyes open.
Cheers! Bravo! That was me cheering the young man for the song he didn’t sing.
That songs reminds me of the scene from Blazing Saddles. The N word is used in the scene but of course that’s Mel Brooks’ fight against racism, not an endorsement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H2W1lK7P-I&pp=ygUeQmxhemluZyBzYWRkbGVzIENhbXB0b3duIHJhY2Vz
I was just thinking about that song. No idea why I’m glad you stood your ground. That was a big deal.