Diversity

[toby]

Who else just saw Queen Latifa on '30 Rock'.

 

Queen Latifa complaining that NBC is not diverse, "NBC is about as diverse as a Wilco concert".

[LouieB]

Actually it was a funny episode and the gag was funny (and mostly true) too.

 

LouieB

[cryptique]

I knew there'd be a thread...

[toby]

Actually it was a funny episode and the gag was funny (and mostly true) too.

 

LouieB

 

Yes, it's definitely one of my favorite shows on right now.

[GtrPlyr]

I knew there'd be a thread...

Me too. I actually checked in now just to see how many people had commented about the episode .

 

When did Wilco become well known enough to get referenced in a joke? I guess the writers figured a good chunk of their audience is hipster types that would get it (and they're probably right.)

[Ghost of Electricity]

Come on, there were at least 3 flavors of whitey at the last Wilco show I went to.

[Chinese Apple]

I'm not white but I like Wilco. I think sometimes my brothers and sisters of color need to branch out in the genres of music they listen to. I am sure there are more white fans who listen to 50 Cent than there are folks of color who listen to Wilco, and it isn't necessarily because 50 Cent writes "white friendly" songs.

 

In the case of Wilco, it is definitely a case of aesthetic self-segregation at play.

[RaspberryJam]

I saw it and it was hilarious.

 

I'm not white but I like Wilco. I think sometimes my brothers and sisters of color need to branch out in the genres of music they listen to. I am sure there are more white fans who listen to 50 Cent than there are folks of color who listen to Wilco, and it isn't necessarily because 50 Cent writes "white friendly" songs.

 

 

I'll agree. I used to see the Grateful Dead quite a bit and it was an equally uni-racial audience. Too bad too, the people of color I would see there were enjoying the hell out of it.

[jff]

Damn, I watched but I missed that line.

[Bosco]

I saw it and it was hilarious.

 

I'll agree. I used to see the Grateful Dead quite a bit and it was an equally uni-racial audience. Too bad too, the people of color I would see there were enjoying the hell out of it.

 

I taped it, I should catch it tonight, let's see if my wife catches it (she loves Wilco, tolerates 30 Rock).

 

I followed the Dead for years myself, and I often times compare Wilco to them, they both have their roots in the music of Americana, both bands live shows are amazing, both bands have great musicians and song writers, I could go on but outside of the whole Hippy thing the two bands really are very similar. Let's just hope Wilco never has a "Touch of Gray" to move them into the Stadium show stratosphere.

[LouieB]

I am sure there are more white fans who listen to 50 Cent than there are folks of color who listen to Wilco, and it isn't necessarily because 50 Cent writes "white friendly" songs.

Well yea...that's because white people flock to hip hop in droves, whereas African Americans do like rock and roll, but maybe not so much Wilco.

 

LouieB

[Shakespeare In The Alley]

It often bothers me how it's "white people" and "African-Americans."

 

Every time I read them used together it just feels like a ridiculous attempt at being politically correct.

[Guest Jules]

Don't forget only 12% of the US population is black, whereas 75% is white. How exactly do you judge diversity in anything?

[Shakespeare In The Alley]

Ratios.

[Guest Jules]

Thanks.

[Guest Speed Racer]

I alawys love when VC talks about what African Americans do and don't like.

[ih8music]

It often bothers me how it's "white people" and "African-Americans."

 

Every time I read them used together it just feels like a ridiculous attempt at being politically correct.

 

I know people who commonly use "Caucasian-American" and "African-American" when talking about race -- talk about coming across as being ridiculously politically correct.

[Shakespeare In The Alley]

It's dumb. But at least in that case it's ridiculously politically correct both ways. "White people and African-Americans" is 50% ridiculous attempt at political correctness. I think it sounds like patronizing, honestly.

[musikfilmbook]

Let's just hope Wilco never has a "Touch of Gray"

 

Isn't Heavy Metal Drummer Wilco's Touch of Gray?

[Loneliness Fighter]

My admiration for 30 Rock just grows and grows- the Wilco line was either too accurate to be funny or too funny because of accuracy. I laughed (and groaned a little). In the long run, just love the music and all else will fall into place.

[Shakin Sugar]

My admiration for 30 Rock just grows and grows- the Wilco line was either too accurate to be funny or too funny because of accuracy. I laughed (and groaned a little). In the long run, just love the music and all else will fall into place.

 

I feel exactly like you do but didn't know how to make it into a sensible statement.

 

I think anyone could respect the musicianship of the band members and the integrity of the lyrics--those types things know no racial boundaries.

 

cheers

[knotgreen]

I alawys love when VC talks about what African Americans do and don't like.

 

this gave me a good laugh. thanks.

[Chinese Apple]

It often bothers me how it's "white people" and "African-Americans."

 

Every time I read them used together it just feels like a ridiculous attempt at being politically correct.

 

While on the topic of political correctness, a gentle reminder that in issues of racial diversity, it is not always black and white -- there are other citizens of color in the U.S.

 

I didn't see this episode of 30 Rock, and the line probably played well spoken, but I had to have a think about the flippant analogy (especially in light of the recent Rick Sanchez discussion about minorities in the media) comparing the struggles by people of color to be represented in mainstream media, to going to a alt-country-rock-Americana concert.

 

And why Wilco? There are "whiter" audiences at Lee Ann Womack concerts.

 

The Wilco reference was clever. A big chunk of the Wilco fan base seems to be made up of the kind of educated white liberal who WOULD take notice of, and feel a little bit guilty about, being "too white." There was a brief VC discussion on race and socio-economic class after the Solid Sound festival this summer, for instance.

 

I'm reminded of how Jeff Tweedy described the Wilco fan base in an article about Solid Sound:

 

By all accounts, the three-day festival stands to be civilized and family-friendly. Even so, the town is deploying extra police, and the museum hired extra gallery guards — just in case.

 

Tweedy said there probably won’t be any fist fights at the festival, but given the disposition of Wilco fans, he joked, “There might be some hurt feelings and some passive aggressiveness. A few tears.”

 

This is why Queen Latifah picks on you.

[Oil Can Boyd]

Isn't Heavy Metal Drummer Wilco's Touch of Gray?

Not really. Touch of Grey was a legitimate top 10 mainstream hit competing with Whitney Houston, George Michael, and Bon Jovi. It really did bring a whole new group of fans to the band.

 

HMD may be the song that non-Wilco fans can identify as being a Wilco song but it's nowhere near the scale of something like Touch of Grey.

[Lukestar]

Mavis Staples