Threads 13.08.20
We Have Sound 20.8
Music
Laurence Pike – Weightless
FRKTL – Rhododendron Forest Rescue
Szun Waves – Slow Motion
Passepartout Duo – Hvalur
Bvdub – Not Yours to Find
Lord RAJA – Boxing
First Circle – Ian Rankin
SBK & Eyez – Bits
Rakjay & Logan – Move From We
Grandmixxer – Windrush VIP
Proc Fiskal – Prop O Deed
Devonwho – Adds
Lord RAJA – Think a Drink
Harry Whitaker – Black Renaissance
Kwake Bass – Live at Jazz Refreshed
Lupe Fiasco, Kaelin Ellis, Virgil Abloh – Shoes
Duval Timothy – Look
Ssaliva – Terrain
False Moniker – Escape Path
Earl Grey feat. Dead Man’s Chest – Fugitive Version
Soviet Space Research Institute – ARPA Interceptor
Mala – Forgive
Djoser – Goose
Divisions
I have used sound clips in reference to current events a number of times over the many radio shows I have put together over the years. Sometimes this can be a daunting thing to do, our thinking is fluid – our own attitudes as well as those around us shift – and there is always more to learn. I worry about presenting an idea that later find out more about in the future, or perhaps one I just haven’t thought about enough. I also worry about appearing to speak for others.
After anger fuelled statements had been voiced in our music community, initially I had actually felt clear at what it was that needed to be addressed. However as events unfolded, another ugly side of our society crashed into the situation highlighting a different set of prejudices, and all too familiar double standards.
The incident showed just how complex and entangled our problems are. The more things unravelled, and the more I engaged with histories, the less I realised I knew and understood – about today, and the past.
As hesitant as this made me, having engaged racism aimed at other groups in the past, and even very recently, it was important to do so again here. It was also important for me to do some work to try and have a bit more of a perspective.
I read, spoke to friends of friends, parents of friends and friends of parents of friends who sent me other things to read or watch.
During the time I spent reading about this I was surprised at the number of times I found out things I understood as truths were either half truths or even examples of previous misrepresentations. One thing I have really come to understand is that this is an old hatred, so much so it I think it has learned to go undetected too often. I feel differently about a number of world situations current, recent and past after this process. I have a lot to understand still.
What I feel or think though, is not so important – but sharing some informed perspectives might be; sample sources are listed, and linked below.
‘They’
We must be careful about how we use language – especially in days when we use it so publicly. Like a lot of things we have been dealing with recently, this is very complex – but one thing that seems very apparent about our discourse at the moment is how divided it is. Common parlance might perhaps be to reference both sides, and in these extruded times picking a side seems to be something we do all too easily.
How we speak reflects society but can also shape it and defining fractious issues using such reductive language can create framework that we start to attach our reality to.
I have seen the word ‘they’ used very frequently recently, often without the they in question having been identified, sometimes this might be implied – but in a digital and connected age our words can hang around for a while, and travel a long way away from their context. ‘They’ easily becomes a void which anything can fill, we should be careful how we use it.
Samples
Cable St
In 1930s Europe, anti-semitism was everywhere. Europe did stand up to fascism eventually, but I think our understanding of other countries – including the UK’s relationship with racism is widely under-considered.
Medieval Anti-Semitism
I was actually looking for audio related to Martin Luther, which I could not find (if this is a new name for you this is a good introduction) when I found this clip. There are a number of lectures online from Henry Abramson – his perspectives on the emergence of racism out of a non specific fear-of-the-other as well as the long view they provide I found particularly useful.
Origins
Frequently in light of the above mentioned events when discussing these topics with otherwise well informed and fair minded people I heard ideas about how ‘Of course they are good with money’ or other tropes come into conversation. I find myself wary of these kind of ideas and wanted to try and understand them better. Initial research underlined my understanding that usury laws in the medieval period is the route of certain stereotypes, Julie Mell’s research suggests that this might itself be an excuse and not an explanation.
Technology
This is an old hate, as such one that has been in our midst for a long time. The ease of access and therefore the speed that this can travel today is however is something new.
Notes
Vision of Sound.
I mentioned this Podcast by friend and Photographer Georgina Cook on this week’s show, Emma Warren discussing community and music (amongst other things) gave me a lot to think about.