Bad Neighbors And Negative Banjo Stereotypes
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Philzone Refugee
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Interesting read on NPR about a Virginia Beach neighborhood rallying around a woman and her children, who are being traumatized by a passive-aggressive neighbor:
https://www.npr.org/2021/10/06/1043743240/racist-harassment-virginia-beach
While I'm heartened that her neighbors stepped up when the police waffled, it bums me out to see a respected news organization such as NPR perpetuating racist associations of "banjo music".
While most folks may not be aware of it, the banjo's origin is in Africa and was introduced to the New World by Africans enslaved in the slave trade who were relocated to North America. While it is true that the instrument is predominantly played by white musicians today, mostly associated with Appalachian Folk Music, specifically Bluegrass, these communities and musicians are not inherently "racist". They are mostly decent, spiritual people who don't subscribe to the hateful beliefs and invectives of racists.
Of course, there are also a few African-American banjo players. Taj Mahal comes to mind. I was just listening to Rhianna Giddens acclaimed 2017 solo album Freedom Highway tonight as I was reading this NPR story, and was struck by the beautiful use of the banjo on that record. She and her main band, The Carolina Chocolate Drops do a fantastic job of dispelling the myth that Appalachian String Band music is monochromatic. Elizabeth Cotten and Mississippi John Hurt both played guitar in the Piedmont Blues style which is heavily influenced by Appalachian Folk Music and Ragtime. Jerry Garcia was a mighty fine banjo picker that no one has ever considered to be a racist.
I suppose this is all academic, but my concern with such gross generalizations being used by the NPRs of the world is that young impressionable minds will form a bias that prevents them from listening objectively and experiencing and participating in the music.
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Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: That’s Nancy with the laughin’ face
You can thank Deliverance
You can thank Deliverance
Thoughts on violin.. err fiddle history and stereotypes?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Ken D.
I didn't pick up on how banjo
I didn't pick up on how banjo music was supposedly racist from the story. The monkey sounds are pretty offensive though and I don't think anyone would be crying if the weirdo found his speaker wires cut or his cameras shot out by a BB gun.
If anything banjo music is associated with prejudice and negative stereotypes against poor rural white people.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf
Yeah, I didn't catch that
Yeah, I didn't catch that either.
neighbor sounds like a real peach.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: aiq
The difference is the context
The difference is the context. In this case the banjo is included in racist harassment. Literally part of a racist intent.
The neighbors are on the right track.
We may all be called upon.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee
This was the problematic
This was the problematic statement for me in the NPR piece:
There's just one problem, and it's a loud one: a man who lives next door blares monkey sounds, banjo music and racist slurs at Martinez and her family — a situation that went on for months.
The way that banjo playing gets lumped in with obviously racist taunting conveys the message that there is something inherently racist about it, which is a false stereotype, and an example of shoddy editing by NPR.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Thumbkinetic
Yeah, no. NPR gives its
Yeah, no. NPR gives its audience credit for recognizing context.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: treat island
I think that guy just knows
I think that guy just knows how annoying banjos are. If I had a neighbor playing (recorded) banjo music loudly I might do bodily harm.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf
...Might even have to break
Might even be cause to bust out the clawhammer...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Briank
The music blared to break
The music blared to break Noriega.
Fought The Law -The Clash
Panama -Van Halen,
I Want Is You - U2
If I Had A Rocket Launcher. - Bruce Cockburn
Welcome to the Jungle - Guns'N'Roses
Based on the premise in the OP, all this music could be considered to be torture.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: ...
..
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Harold
Judith, that was great.
Judith, that was great.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Probable Cosby
but are there any black
but are there any black bagpipe players? time for this family to learn the bagpipe and practice outdoors at night
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: fishcane
Feel especially bad if it's
Feel especially bad if it's Bela she is being subjected to
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: |-|/-\|_|_
>>>are not inherently "racist
>>>are not inherently "racist". They are mostly decent, spiritual people who don't subscribe to the hateful beliefs and invectives of racists.
Source? Or is that, like, your opinion, man?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee
It's an opinion, Hall, one
It's an opinion, Hall, one based on my interactions with other concert goers and musicians I have encountered at endless Bluegrass events I've attended. There's a genuine soulfulness in traditional Bluegrass and Country music.
I'm reading Blair Jackson's biography of Jerry Garcia right now, and I found it very interesting to read Jerry talk about the large effect that the ensemble playing of Bluegrass bands had on the direction of the Grateful Dead.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
could always be worse.....
could always be worse..... could be 2 banjos
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
nobody complained when Jerry
nobody complained when Jerry wore a hooded cape and played the banjo
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: ismelltoadsmoke
Whenever a big white man
Whenever a big white man picks up a banjo, my butt cheeks tighten.
- Robin Williams (RV)J
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Rasputin O'Leary
born a poor black child
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
Personally, I thought BLM
Personally, I thought BLM stood for Banjo-ists' Lives Matter
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Highnote
As somebody who plays banjo,
As somebody who plays banjo, some food for thought: (as far as I know)
The banjo came from Africa along with slaves.
Banjo music was appropriated by minstrel shows with white men in blackface. Then it became popular with white people.
There's civil war era banjo music that is played claw hammer style. Instruments are open back. Often solo.
Bluegrass banjo really broke in the 40's with Earl Scruggs who nailed down the three finger style pick. Closed back instruments with a heavy brass tone ring. Loud.
"What's the difference between a banjo and a hand grenade?"
"No difference, once you hear it, it's all over."
Check out Rhiannon Giddens
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4Xlyi8Is98&ab_channel=RhiannonGiddens
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Highnote
Okay one more
Okay one more
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV6Xs-0jmeQ&ab_channel=RhiannonGiddens
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Highnote
Don't mean to hijack but here
Don't mean to hijack but here's another beautiful bit of banjo work. Allison diGroot and Molly Tuttle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duJa9vMZV2M&ab_channel=NimbleFingersMusic
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee
Appreciate your input
Appreciate your input Stringtwang. I guess I've always been more struck by the speed of the Scruggs-style banjo players than the loudness of the instrument.
I mentioned Ms. Giddons in the original post, but thanks for checking me on the spelling of her first name. Wonder if she was named after the Stevie Nicks song? Either, way, I really enjoyed listening to her "Freedom Highway" cd earlier today, and would highly encourage all those who haven't heard her to check it out. I'm pretty sure you'll all get a kick out of it. It's like Americana meets Soul music in the best of ways.
Just wondering your thoughts Stringtwang on the NPR piece I cited, and their characterization of banjo playing? Do you think they are suggesting that there is something inherently racist about banjo music in the way they worded their article?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Highnote
Dave, I apologize for
Dave, I apologize for glossing over your post and clicking the link. I've been house painting this week and am tired.
I went back and reread your post and agree with your points.
The situation presents the banjo as being representative of racism. NPR is just reporting the situation. I also think that NPR's choice of words has the unintended consequence of reinforcing the stereotype.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: fishcane
Racist Jerry ....
Racist Jerry ....
https://amst312.umwblogs.org/2009/03/19/the-sweet-sunny-south/
This song dates back to sometime in the 19th century. There is no evidence of exactly where or when this song was first played. According to Chalres Wolfe some sheet music indicates that it could have been written in the 1840’s (Wolfe 24). If that is the case, there is a good chance is was written for a minstrel show, which was very popular at that time. It is mostly thought of as a traditional song though there are different early copyrights on it. John C. Schreiner and Raymond are two names that have copyright claims (Wolfe 24).
According to Paul Cohen this song is sung from the viewpoint of a slave, though that is not apparent from the lyrics (Cohen 7). When looking at the lyrics from the viewpoint of a slave, this song is very similar to may other minstrel songs at the time, which would justify slavery by portraying slaves who were happy with their situation.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: ltk173
>>>it bums me out to see a
>>>it bums me out to see a respected news organization such as NPR perpetuating racist associations
lol good stuff.
About two decades ago, back when I actually listened to NPR, they ran a story about a particular ethnicity/race:
(The term purple people is being used to protect the identity of said ethnicity/race.)
15% of the population of the city were purple people. Only 3% of purple people were in the city's symphony.
How do we get purple people into the symphony so they are no longer an unrepresented minority?
Chairman Mao would be proud of social engineering like this.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Thumbkinetic
How do we get purple people
How do we get purple people into the symphony so they are no longer an unrepresented minority?
Definitely do not give 'em banjos.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: aiq
Start a preschool strings
Start a preschool strings program for the purple people?
Hard to fly with broken wings.