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.
I grew up in PA, but our elementary school music teacher was from the south. One of the songs in our music book was “Marching to Pretoria.” I am shocked st the memory. I think we also had “Camptown Races.” I think about her pounding merrily away on the piano, teaching us these songs…
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.
I was just thinking about that song. No idea why I’m glad you stood your ground. That was a big deal.
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 grew up in PA, but our elementary school music teacher was from the south. One of the songs in our music book was “Marching to Pretoria.” I am shocked st the memory. I think we also had “Camptown Races.” I think about her pounding merrily away on the piano, teaching us these songs…
I think we all preferred the English folk tunes.