Music, Culture & Race, Greg Thomas
Vložit
- čas přidán 15. 09. 2022
- Greg Thomas is a passionate cultural commentator on the topic of race, and the history of black America, particularly related to musical history.
In this conversation with Rebel Wisdom's David Fuller they talk about the contribution of black American music, misconceptions about race in the US and a new way to think about the concept of 'cultural appropriation'.
Greg Thomas is CEO of the Jazz Leadership Project, and a writer, teacher, and entrepreneur. Greg has written about culture, race, and democratic life in publications ranging from the Village Voice, Integral Life, New Republic, Salon, UPTOWN, The Root, the Guardian Observer, and the New York Daily News-as jazz columnist.
Later this month he is co-facilitating an event, "Resolving the Race-ism Dilemma," on Sept. 24th. More details here: www.eventcreate.com/e/resolvi...
Why does the algorithm hate you guys so much, I'm subbed and I have turned notifications on and still; you never pop up in my feed.
You know why
Wow, I just realized this too...I have notifications on and never seem to get alerted of new videos
@@SensemakingMartin sadly
Excellent conversation. I have (and always will) have a DEEP love and respect for the African American artistic/musical contribution to humanity...ESPECIALLY the dance forms.
"The group who created it doesn't own it. It becomes a gift to the world". I so agree with this, especially having been a dancer for most of my life. The year 2020 wasn't a great year for me. I almost hung up my dancing shoes (or trainers/sneakers rather) because many of my dance idols and inspirations that I follow on Insta were swept up in the racial frenzy, and began posting things like "If you aren't black. This ISN'T your dance form. REMEMBER that, you are merely a guest here and you NEED to be grateful for what WE gave you. Make sure you do it properly...LIKE US!!".
The tone of the message was horrible and I felt trapped in a double bind. It was as if I was being punished for something I involuntary loved and couldn't help doing...dancing. I couldn't help the fact that my heart and body desired to move to their musical art forms AND that I had a knack for it too. In one breath they would say" We are proud of this gift to the world" and in the next "You don't deserve this gift we gave to the world". It was so confusing and infuriating in many ways. I'm so glad I didn't give up.
Sorry this happened to you, it’s unforgivable. The whole idea of “cultural appropriation” is a fascistic idea. Because it assumes a superiority and a possession of certain things, which cannot be possessed. People like the gentleman (not so gentle it turns out) in this interview, who’s pulling a performance really, do a terrible disservice to the world by defending for a minute these dangerous and selfish ideas. Or trying to recast and selectively choose examples to benefit one race above others. Psychologically it’s being done because they themselves, having taken onboard their own race as crucial to their own identity, seemingly become preoccupied with self-doubt.
The people saying that and the people creating these things are not the same people. Don’t forget that. It’s like men who haven’t achieved anything claiming the victories of the great men of the past.
Very informative and reminder that we are guests here and we should share and love what every one contributes, thank you.
You guys are leaving the best till the end...so refreshing and profound and deeply human
Love this man and perspective!
We've really got to look beyond the rhetoric and get back to the jazz in life!
Wow, just checked out fertile ground. They are phenomenal! Thank you for that.
Very insightful watch, great job Rebel Wisdom 👏
Trust in integrity is paramount and I trust David . Even when I don’t agree i believe he is an honest journalist
He has simplified a lot of the music history here. This was a pretty good talk and that's my only criticism.
A lot of American music history isn't really relegated to one race or the other in terms of overarching influence. Blues is only part of the story of rock music for example. It wasn't a black man who invented the power chord. Garage rock and surf rock don't really fall under the influence of blues.
Hip-hop's roots go back to funk and country believe it or not. If you listen to some early country you'll get what I mean.
Also, if you start talking about American music, you need to go back to the age of minstrel music. That's the first time in America's history when music was being made solely for commercial purposes and sowed the seeds for everything else.
So powerful & I share this view, that 🇺🇸 is richer & blessed because of its diversity, & despite the sins of its past, we today can try to acknowledge our differences w/o letting them become our obsession, & realize that we owe so much of our greatness to the unsung heroes of all races, but especially to African-Americans & Native Americans, who were exploited the most, but when we take a step back and look at our present, as a multicultural society, we must learn to value each other as individuals & children of the Living God, who are all truly precious to God! Once we get to know one another, I think we can find far more in common that unites us as a people, with contributions to our history from people of every background, to keep striving for that more perfect Union, in which we can all contribute to make it continue to be a beacon of hope and freedom… we’re better than our differences, & Love is the answer to truly live out the ideal of “One Nation Under God”❣️🙏🏻🏆💯🗽👆🏻🌏🇺🇸🦄👼🏻
Racism is just the dark side of association. At one end, there is racism: a pure all or nothing approach to defining people. But on the other side is appreciation for the differences we each have. It is all one spectrum which exists in each human. It cannot be denied it’s existence or the balance will become tipped to evil.
Talkin all that jazz 😎
I would love to hear Thomas Sowell reply to this.
Jazz & gospel is appropriated via the whyte church, ❤facts
Very insightful watch, great job Rebel Wisdom 👏
Very insightful watch, great job Rebel Wisdom 👏
Very insightful watch, great job Rebel Wisdom 👏