Racism, Music, and Pragmatism
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At Subversion #1312 we totally love music but we hate racists.
Another announcer from 4ZZZ Marty is from New Zealand where former Panterra frontman Phil Anselmo ‘s shows were cancelled shortly after an Australian gunman murdered 50 Muslims inside a mosque in Christchurch. Since Anselmo was booked the play in Brisbane Marty felt it important to question to wisdom of letting a man who has promoted racism on stage since at least 1995 perform.
This turned out to be a good topic to discuss on the program. Marty, and local musician, and anarchist Gerald Keaney join me to discuss racism, music, and pragmatism.
While it is well documented that Anselmo has been known to have promoted white supremacy on stage he has also denounced racism in Rolling Stone, and says made donations to organisations which assist people of colour.
Pragmatism is a philosophical tradition which deals with a problem in a sensible way that suits the conditions that really exist, rather than following fixed theories, ideas, or rules.
Is Anselmo confused? Are his actions pragmatism to appease his fan base? Music is a business so how does capitalism play a part?
This discussion leads into the next part of the show Peter’s and I pre-recorded a segment on racism and pragmatism, in the context of international relations. with Peter talking first about the fall of Daesh (ISIS) and the Kurdish forces reliance on the US military.
This is the message I sent to The Back Room, Soundworks, and Chardons Corner.
Dear ________ ,
I’m from community radio 4ZZZ, and I produce a program called Subversion #1312 (Anarchy Show).
There are some people in the music and broader community who are concerned about the Phillip Anselmo events happening this week in The Back Room.
Phillip has been known to make racist ‘white supremacist’ remarks dating as far back as 1995. In 2016 he did a white power salute at a performance, this was widely publicised.
I’m featuring this issue on my program tomorrow night, and I’m seeking a response from ___________ management regarding this issue.
Kind Regards.
Linda
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