First of all, I'm sure the artists on here are making cool music. Will listen later.
But, this article and all similar articles are so out of touch and elitist it's ridiculous. Let me lay it out very simply 1. Very few black communities in the US have embraced techno, it is not commonly perceived in the US as being a part of black culture by either blacks or whites. 2. We live in a class society that weaponizes racism, so that if you are black, you are less likely to be wealthy than if you are white. 3. This article focuses on an event produced by the MUSEUM OF MODERN ART; which due to the demographic reality listed above, is probably not something that is in any way accessible or interesting to black working class people (or any working class people). Honestly most MOMA shit sucks and ordinary people can see that better than many of our wealthy elite who have been brainwashed by years of conceptual art bullshit. 4. If you actually want to make techno more diverse, it has to begin with presenting the music in ways that ordinary folks can relate to and access and enjoy. A great example of what I mean is the Underground Resistance cabaret parties that they threw in Detroit. That's what bringing techno to ordinary folks looks like; another example is the original DEMF when it was free and tons of families were dancing with ravers. Techno should be for everyone, not just for the elites who read WaPo and go to MOMA events! 5. Basically, my point is this: If the audience for techno became more diverse, I think it's reasonable to assume that it would organically increase the diversity of DJ's and producers who decide to participate in making this type of music. *To be clear, I am personally very glad that Jeff Mills has done stuff with museums and orchestras, and I don't have a problem with techno events in museums per se, but to think that this has anything to do with addressing some kind of racial disparity within the techno scene itself is ludicrous. ~David On Thu, Jul 9, 2020 at 8:59 AM kent williams <chaircrus...@gmail.com> wrote: > Speaking as an "elderly white man from Iowa" - as a certain erstwhile list > member's described me - this is important. > > Centering black music producers isn't some sort of undeserved 'affirmative > action.' It brings to the front artists who make essential, lively, > emotionally honest music. If we wait for the 'meritocracy' of the dance > music industry, they won't be heard. > > > https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/a-new-generation-of-black-artists-are-reclaiming-the-roots-of-techno-music/2020/07/08/68c8edb2-c11c-11ea-b4f6-cb39cd8940fb_story.html > > > The compilation mentioned at the top is fantastic. > https://hausofaltr.bandcamp.com/album/hoa010 > > As is the Physically Sick compilation, which has artists in common > with HOA010. > https://physicallysick3.bandcamp.com/album/physically-sick-3 >
