Black music has fed mainstream culture like a sacred spring. The songs, the dances, the soul — all of it has laid the foundation of everything that we want to hear. A foundation that is appreciated, but hung out to dry in the sun until it’s faded enough to make it sell.
White people: Can you imagine that pain? The feeling of saying the most important sentence you could ever say, something that has been sitting inside your throat your whole life. Something you’ve finally figured out a way to describe. And then someone cuts you off. And starts talking about themselves. That wouldn’t begin to describe it.
When Chinese teens on TikTok imitate rappers from Compton.
When white musicians wear chunky gold chains and sneakers to accept their Grammy awards.
When the pain that I set free daily is danced out to the rhythm of a song that a Black person sang.
We have all become very confused about the source of America’s greatness.
Ma Rainey, via OldTimeBlues.com
