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.
But… but… we’re not supposed to acknowledge any conceivable downside, in aggregate, in any context, to any aspect of female psychology. It is, I’m told, the ideal to which all sentient beings must aspire. Even to suggest that there might be such a thing as female psychology, with patterns and traits differing, statistically, from those of men, is to chance one’s arm.
Might want to check on who is doing the telling.
[ Hides breakables, fetches bubble wrap. ]
Maybe riots are called for.
Or majority leftist.
Cryptic error messages are a par for the course.
No, I merely thought you might find it helpful to have an explanation before someone else complains.
[ Insert image of a blushing Elmer Fudd. ]
I’m with Inspector Kemp.
Related.
Consequences, what a concept.
Progressive metaphysics.
You may have to lean into it. Also, note the nodding.
That’s true:
He does do that a lot. I wish he’d push back more against guests with “dubious” opinions.
From the comments:
“It’s a shame that 90% of them make the other 10% look bad.”