Culture Wars

[MikeF]

What? How? Why? Who?

I'll start off with:

Why the heck would a black person want a career in country music?

- ‘Dangerous gatekeeping’: why is country music still resistant to diversity?

More power to a person of color who pursues a career in the music genre of their choice despite what others may do who are associated with the industry.

If the world-wide white supremacist movements and fascist movements strongly identified with German classical music, making it the soundtrack of their movements, should that impact the enjoyment of Beethoven, Wagner, and Strauss for everyone who does not condone the platforms of white supremacists and fascists?

If someone is raised in the Southern United States, are they to be judged or shunned by all aspects of that culture that they exhibit, from food, vocal accent, dress, as well as music, and for no other reason than accident of birth, because racists in the South also exhibit those cultural traits and preferences? I hope not.

 

[Unfettered]

Joking aside, I meant why would a black person, or a female, or a member of the LGBTQ+ community want a career in such a racist, misogynistic and bigoted sector.

I see. Apologies if I misunderstood. I guess it depends on the song. I enjoy country music and don't note that there is much of what you've pointed to in the songs I enjoy.

 

[Secret Chief]

More power to a person of color who pursues a career in the music genre of their choice despite what others may do who are associated with the industry.

If the world-wide white supremacist movements and fascist movements strongly identified with German classical music, making it the soundtrack of their movements, should that impact the enjoyment of Beethoven, Wagner, and Strauss for everyone who does not condone the platforms of white supremacists and fascists?

If someone is raised in the Southern United States, are they to be judged or shunned by all aspects of that culture that they exhibit, from food, vocal accent, dress, as well as music, and for no other reason than accident of birth, because racists in the South also exhibit those cultural traits and preferences? I hope not.

The music of Beethoven is not political in nature, so how is it a reasonable comparison with the described nature of the country music genre? Beethoven's music may have been co-opted by white supremacists (has it?) but that is nothing to do with the composer himself. He was not working in a field that was antagonist towards him.

 

[JustGeorge]

I see. Apologies if I misunderstood. I guess it depends on the song. I enjoy country music and don't note that there is much of what you've pointed to in the songs I enjoy.

I have family that listen to it. I also don't notice much trouble within the lyrics, though sometimes the culture surrounding it is noted for some of the issues mentioned.

But if one enjoys it, they shouldn't let people's undesirable attitudes disturb them.

 

[sun rise]

Why the heck would a black person want a career in country music?

Why is that a question. 20 Famous Black Country Singers - Singersroom.com

As far as the music goes, I had a negative attitude until I watched the Ken Burns Country Music series. It's far from the stereotype of "my baby left me so now I make love to my truck every night"

 

[sun rise]

Or watch this series and learn My Music with Rhiannon Giddens | PBS

 

[Secret Chief]

Why is that a question.

Simply because of what I read in the article I linked to.

 

[Father Heathen]

I see. Apologies if I misunderstood. I guess it depends on the song. I enjoy country music and don't note that there is much of what you've pointed to in the songs I enjoy.

It's not the music itself for the most part, but the industry and fandom tends to have a sizable amount of bigots.

 

[JustGeorge]

It's not the music itself for the most part, but the industry and fandom tends to have a sizable amount of bigots.

Would be nice if some of the big names could write some anti-racist sentiments into their songs.

 

[Secret Chief]

Would be nice if some of the big names could write some anti-racist sentiments into their songs.

Might that not be career-ending? (Rather akin to the Bud Light fiasco... Bud Light boycott over trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney hits beer giant's sales )

 

[JustGeorge]

Might that not be career-ending?

Maybe. I think the person would have to be honest about how big(or not big) their name was to pull it off. And it would have to be written in such a way; loving, rather than combative.

But sometimes if one does it and gets away with it, more follow their lead.

 

[Secret Chief]

Maybe. I think the person would have to be honest about how big(or not big) their name was to pull it off. And it would have to be written in such a way; loving, rather than combative.

But sometimes if one does it and gets away with it, more follow their lead.

Edited my post...

 

[Unfettered]

It's not the music itself for the most part, but the industry and fandom tends to have a sizable amount of bigots.

Understood. I guess if someone likes a song, he can just ignore the cultural elements to which he may object? Or not. Depends on the person, I suppose.

 

[Father Heathen]

Would be nice if some of the big names could write some anti-racist sentiments into their songs.

They don't want to alienate their audience. Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, The Dixie Chicks, and a few others have been branded "traitors" for expressing liberal views.

 

[Father Heathen]

Understood. I guess if someone likes a song, he can just ignore the cultural elements to which he may object? Or not. Depends on the person, I suppose.

The OP was talking about starting a career in the music scene itself and the challenges one would face.

 

[Bthoth]

They don't want to alienate their audience. Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, The Dixie Chicks, and a few others have been branded "traitors" for expressing liberal views.

Liberal views? Evolving to overcome bigotry should be a requirement to be considered American.

 

[sun rise]

Would be nice if some of the big names could write some anti-racist sentiments into their songs.

23 LGBT-Friendly Country Artists You Should Know About

Y’all are gonna love ‘em.

www.pride.com

 

[Father Heathen]

Liberal views? Evolving to overcome bigotry should be a requirement to be considered American.

Some consider the idea of tolerance and diversity a liberal one, hence the backlash.

 

[JustGeorge]

Edited my post...

I think that might have been too strong of a move to make the difference they wanted to make.

Have to know your audience and how to speak to them.

They don't want to alienate their audience. Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, The Dixie Chicks, and a few others have been branded "traitors" for expressing liberal views.

But, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and The Dixie Chicks are all huge names that still have huge followings. We'll hear the stories about those who were 'outraged', but the ones who listened and quietly thought about it likely won't go on about it in the same loud manner.

 

[Unfettered]

The OP was talking about starting a career in the music scene itself and the challenges one would face.

Yeah, I couldn't say. I like yesteryear's country music and wouldn't offer any challenge to a non-white American trying to succeed in the genre. If I enjoyed the music, I'd buy the albums; maybe go to a concert, etc.