Earlier in this thread I had attempted to explain what I meant by a comment I had written some time ago on an earlier Mudcat thread {and was quoted by Shambles in this thread}.

I had indicated that I personally did not like banjo music. I should have but did not expand on that statement to explain that rightly or wrongly that instrument serves as a symbol for me and [from vooks and articles I have read]some other African Americans of Southern United States slavery. Specifically, what I mean by this is the that the banjo feeds into once heavily promoted images of enslaved people who are happy in their servitude.

In that sentence that Shambles quoted, I then tried to say [but did so poorly] was that-in spite of the fact that I personally don't like banjo music [beause I have tied that stereotype to that music]- I feel I need to show respect to my [African] ancestors [by acknowledging]that the banjo originally came from Africa.

One positive outcome for me that has occurred as a result of this thread is learning about efforts that are underway for Black musicians-seperately and along with those of other races-to re-claim the banjo and create music with the banjo that speaks to varied Black musical aesthetics.