Those White Devil Blues
From academia, that hothouse of social progress:
Ah, the arts. Where it’s all thou-shalt-not.
Not really in the spirit of what music is, methinks. Sort of, “You only get to sing this if we think you look right. Because appearance – specifically, your racial classification – is what matters.” And hey, who wouldn’t love a game of Who May Sing What, Based On Their Skin Colour? How terribly uplifting.
Needless to say, no corresponding restrictions or accusations of “cultural appropriation” would be tolerated regarding minority students performing music deemed white. Say, as when the troupe performed the works of the Jonas Brothers and the very pale pop songstress Ariana Grande. But clearly, reciprocal principles would be too much to ask.
Fair point.
Being entirely reasonable, this didn’t go down well.
Yes, I know. The word irony scarcely covers it.
Despite the group’s policy of unilateral racial exclusivity in singing being somewhat dissonant with the university’s codes of conduct, which prohibit “discrimination… based on race,” Mr Phillips was warned that his expectations of fairness and merit might have dire consequences. And there followed exquisitely detailed conditions of any further discussion of the issue, with stern pre-emptive cautions against “aggressive wording.”
Vocal Intensity styles itself as the university’s “premier all-gender a cappella group” and claims to provide “an inclusive environment for all individuals who have a passion for music.” But obviously, not if you fancy singing Alice Smith and Miles Caton’s Last Time (I Seen The Sun) while being offensively white.
Update, via the comments:
Dicentra asks,
Germans or Englishmen?
Well, quite. And the reactiveness of the group’s board – their spluttering that anyone might notice the inconsistency and even dare to point it out – and their remarkably detailed conditions regarding any further discussion – does rather paint a picture of a certain mindset. A type.
As noted here more than once, it does save a lot of time and aggravation if pointed use of the words inclusive, cultural appropriation, etc., is regarded not as a welcome or reassurance, but as a warning of the kinds of personalities you’ll be likely to encounter, should you venture closer, foolishly.
Commenter Aitch quotes this,
And adds,
And hey, everything is so much more fun when it’s been racially organised.
See also, the thrill of ideologically corrected dancing.
Consider this an open thread. Share ye links and bicker.
I guess that makes two people who don’t understand The Chronicles of Narnia, then.
As Kate says, you’re supposed to pray for an asteroid, not pick a side.
Call me Ishmael.
I’m not aware of Mr. Phillips’ politics, but I’d bet dollars-to-donuts that he was probably fine with all this nonsense until it affected him directly.
Kent State has gone from, “What if you knew her and found her dead on the ground,” to hectoring people for singing while white.
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