Well, Jeri,

My Mother is half black, er, excuse me African-American, and I've been called nigger and been denied access to various things on that basis. But in my life, all that crapola doesn't have anything to do with how I'm going to approach difficult lyrics. Perhaps it does mean that I'll notice some of the more subtle racism [perhaps?!! ;-) ]

I struggle with brutality in lyrics as a singer, as a caring person, and with awareness that history cannot just be re-written. I do this out of empathy and integrity, and not at all because I am a descendant of black slaves.

The part of me that struggles with appropriation of voice finds it thoroughly amusing that this group of people, probably mostly white, think they have any understanding of the real effect of the period music. Amongst my own, we are singing our history. It only becomes complicated when a bunch of white folks might get their knickers in a twist. When you see "darkies" smirking, usually it's because whiteys think they know what they're talking about in matters of black culture, be it 19th century music or yesterday's police shooting of yet another unarmed black man.

Bottom line: yes there was a post from someone of A-A descent. You didn't know it because there are some things that take way too much effort to explain to "you." These conversations are generally held amongst our own because there is a basic understanding that would take a lifetime to explain. It's almost like spending time at home speaking in your mother tongue after a day at work in English.

So I alternately giggle and groan as I read this thread. After this posting, will anyone remember that I am a person, a singer, a (wannabe) cellist, daughter, dog lover, in-law, niece, tree climber, arranger/composer, quilter, sister, writer gardener? Or am I forever just part-black? My experience says the latter. Which is why I didn't "declare" in my earlier posting.

I'll stop now. I can go a while on the subject, you may have noticed!