vendredi 12 novembre 2021

U.S (Color Of Change) : The COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION (CMA) ENABLES RACISM.

 

 

 

November 10th

 

 


A photo of Black country singer, Darius Rucker, as a quote from a racist experience in country music is placed to his left: "They said they liked the song a lot...but they didn't think their audience would accept a Black country singer."

 

 

 

Friend,

 

 

 

The annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards Show is fast approaching. With just hours left before the CMA Awards show airs tonight on ABC, we’ve been reflecting on the country music industry’s continued hostility towards Black people. Historically, for instance, record label executives would intentionally divide the “music of the South” along racial lines, calling records by Black artists “race records.”1 The banjo, an instrument crucial to country music, was brought to the United States by enslaved Africans.2 Still, we’ve been excluded from the genre over and over again, even if we were writing the songs that successful country artists sing.3 When Black musicians do try to break into the forefront of country music, it is with great sacrifice : Black musicians can expect to have their records ignored, be berated by fans or fellow musicians, or face straight-up harassment for calling out the genre’s unaddressed racism.4 Just this year, white country artist, Morgan Wallen, was caught on tape saying the n-word. Instead of being held accountable, though, Wallen’s album sales increased, as country music fans swarmed to support him and shield him from real consequences.5 Wallen’s racist behavior was then cosigned by one of country music’s most influential players, the Country Music Association (CMA), which nominated Wallen for Album of Year, despite initially removing him from awards eligibility.6

 

As an organization with great influence over the culture of country music, the CMA should be unequivocally holding Morgan Wallen accountable, publicly protecting Black artists and their allies, and repairing country music’s toxic culture. But they’re focused on curating their awards show instead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

IT’S TIME FOR CMA TO IMPLEMENT JUST & INCLUSIVE POLICIES & PRACTICES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black musicians helped to establish the country music industry and its success. Whether its musicians like Charley Pride and Darius Rucker, songwriters like Frankie Staton, or more recently established artists like Rissi Palmer and Mickey Guyton, we remain a major building block of country music’s success.7 But we continue to be systematically excluded from this genre.8 The CMA’s bylaws do not include processes for addressing hate speech or sexual harassment, leaving Black artists who wish to participate in the genre vulnerable to racist fans and unchecked hostility.9 Its board has a disturbing lack of Black board members, leaving Black people excluded from CMA decision-making processes.10 And, it’s popularity-driven eligibility requirements--that an artist must hit top 10 on the Billboard country charts in order to be eligible for certain awards--only amplify the exclusionary practices that already exist.11 Take Lil Nas X, for example; despite his massively popular hit “Old Town Road,” he was kicked off the Billboard country charts entirely.12

 

The fact that CMA has chosen to prioritize its award show over the mental and physical safety of Black country musicians tells us everything we need to know : CMA cannot continue on as it is. It is perpetuating a culture that ignores Black people's contributions, systematically excludes Black people from success, and stays silent when we are being harassed. Other entertainment organizations, from the Oscars to the Grammys to the Golden Globes, have been forced to confront their racist practices and implement policies that repair the harm their organizations have caused Black people. The Golden Globes, after pressure from Color Of Change, just took important steps by implementing new bylaws and drastically diversifying their board.13 The Grammys just announced that they have been working with Color Of Change to implement an inclusion rider that puts into place new rules for hiring diverse staff for shows and requires stringent reporting about their progress.14

 

CMA should be no different. CMA must meaningfully confront its culture of racism and implement just policies and practices that support Black musicians and make the country music industry a place where Black musicians can thrive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGN THE PETITION: TELL CMA TO MAKE COUNTRY MUSIC SAFE FOR BLACK PEOPLE 

 

 

 

 

 

Until justice is real,

 

 

 

 


Color Of Change HQ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References :

 

 

 

 

 

  1. “Why Haven’t We Had a Black Woman Country Star ?” Nashville Scene, August 6, 2020, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/333834?t=7&akid=52432%2E1942551%2EPNkG-E
  2. “African American Roots and Influences in Country Music,” PBS LearningMedia, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/333835?t=9&akid=52432%2E1942551%2EPNkG-E 
  3. “Why Haven’t We Had a Black Woman Country Star ?” Nashville Scene, August 6, 2020, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/333834?t=11&akid=52432%2E1942551%2EPNkG-E
  4. “Mickey Guyton Takes On the Overwhelming Whiteness of Country Music,” The New Yorker, June 14, 2021, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/333836?t=13&akid=52432%2E1942551%2EPNkG-E 
  5. “Morgan Wallen used a racist slur but his popularity is skyrocketing. How did we get here ?” USA Today, February 10, 2021, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/333837?t=15&akid=52432%2E1942551%2EPNkG-E 
  6. “Morgan Wallen Is Disqualified for Top CMA Awards, But Will Be Eligible in Collaborative Categories,” Variety, May 21, 2021, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/333838?t=17&akid=52432%2E1942551%2EPNkG-E 
  7. “Why Haven’t We Had a Black Woman Country Star ?” Nashville Scene, August 6, 2020,https://act.colorofchange.org/go/333834?t=19&akid=52432%2E1942551%2EPNkG-E        
  8. “Racial Justice Org Demands CMA Awards ‘Adopt Racially Just Policies,’” Rolling Stone, November 10, 2021, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/333902?t=21&akid=52432%2E1942551%2EPNkG-E
  9. “Rewriting Country Music’s Racist History,” Rolling Stone, June 5, 2020, ​​https://act.colorofchange.org/go/333839?t=23&akid=52432%2E1942551%2EPNkG-E 
  10. “2021 Board of Directors,” Country Music Association, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/333840?t=25&akid=52432%2E1942551%2EPNkG-E 
  11. “About - CMA Awards 2021,” CMA Awards, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/333841?t=27&akid=52432%2E1942551%2EPNkG-E  
  12. “Lil Nas X isn’t an anomaly — black people have always been a part of country music,” Vox, June 5, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/333842?t=29&akid=52432%2E1942551%2EPNkG-E 
  13. “The Golden Globes Continue to Struggle with Real Change After Countless Controversies,” IndieWire, August 5, 2021, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/333843?t=31&akid=52432%2E1942551%2EPNkG-E
  14. “Recording Academy Commits to Grammys Inclusion Rider,” Deadline, October 19, 2021, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/333844?t=33&akid=52432%2E1942551%2EPNkG-E

Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. Please help keep our movement strong.

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