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Discriminating Music

By Larry Stanley

Recently here in the Modesto Bee, we had an article about how African Americans had been discriminated against in country music. While I found the article informative and the history interesting, I have to admit that I thought the article itself was ...well, stupid.

Several of the African American artist mentioned as country music entertainers I had never heard of. Now does that mean I am a bigot because I never heard of these singers? Or because I did not buy their songs or play them in my car? I can't see how.

At the same time, my lack of interest in so called modern rock, i.e.: Kate Bush, Butthole Surfers, and Smashing Pumpkins etal. must mean that it all balances out. After all, if I don't know white entertainers or buy their products does that mean I am bigoted against them?

Bull.

Music is a personal choice, made by an individual at various times in their life. To say that country music discriminates against African Americans, must also say that Africans Americans discriminate against country music; after all, when was the last time you saw a group of African Americans in a bar or club doing a Texas Two Step, of getting down to George Straight?

And doesn’t that also mean that every time an African American does not purchase a Garth Brooks cd, but instead chooses some rap group, aren't they basically discriminating against that artist, or that type of music? And doesn’t that also mean that Swing Music discriminates against people under the age of 40? How about that Rock and Roll discriminates against men and women over the age of 65?

And I just realized, almost all music discriminates against fat Italian males! When was the last time you saw someone swinging too Luciano Pavarotti? That means that opera may be even more in trouble then Country and African Americans?

Let's face it folks. If anyone is discriminating against these people, it is probably the so-called promoters and managers who are getting paid and not doing work. If these people have talent, maybe they would have a chance at making it. What about all the Hispanic, Asian and White people who are trying to make it in the country music industry?

And they are there, just look around at the local clubs that have these people in them, belting out shows four times a week and twice on Sunday?

Music is a personal choice made both by entertainers and listeners. No one can force someone to listen to or buy something they do not like. And just to remind you, on the radio, it is real hard to tell what color someone is.