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Wondering Beard
Just to flesh out what I stated above regarding Mr. Pitts, Jr.
Years ago, while I was living and working in South FL and Mr. Pitts working at the Miami Herald, he wrote an opinion piece where he told about attending a high school (I believe) reunion with a bunch of his former classmates.
At the reunion he apparently took issue with the cultural appropriation exhibited by white attendees who were doing a bad job of dancing in a manner normally attributed to blacks to black music. They were described in such fashion as to indicate basically spastic, no rhythm moves and generally embarrassing themselves.
He went on to opine about white appropriation of things related to black culture...whether dance, appearance, music, language etc.
Had it been satire or meant as comedy it would have been fine. But it came across as mean spirited.
I wrote Mr. Pitts, Jr. a long letter stating my dissatisfaction with his stated position but received no reply.
After a couple of weeks I decided to call him at the Herald and was able to get him on the phone. We spoke for about 30 minutes.
During that conversation I asked him if white people should be offended that black people played European musical instruments? I told him I hoped not as then I'd never have gotten to listen to John Coltrane.
Should white people be offended that blacks played and excelled at sports invented by white folks? I hoped not as I'd have missed out on watching some of the greatest athletes that were heroes of mine growing up.
What about availing themselves of other technologies invented by white folks and on and on.
Then as to the broad portrayal of whites as lacking rhythm and other generalities, I asked if I needed to bring up chicken or watermelon.
He told me that he did not intend for his article to be dismissive or prejudicial of white people, but admitted that he could "now" see that it was...and apologized for it. Both to me, and as I recall, in the newspaper.
Our conversation ended very pleasantly and it turned out that we shared the love of some great artists and musicians and in the end I felt glad that I spoke with him and had the opportunity to point out that racism works both ways.
And that's my story in a nutshell.
Originally Posted by blues
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