Azizi

We don't really know that there aren't some who lurk.

A discussion of racism would be productive here. I think, however, that if it's forced just because we want different ethnic groups to particpate just because they are different ethnic groups than that's a kind of stereotyping that's not needed. OTOH, there is so much to be learned from people from different ethnic cultures that it would be wonderful to hear more from them.

I would love to hear about ethnic music from practioners. For example, if a young black blues musician were to particpate and share his or her feelings on he music, that would be terrific.

If someone from the rural part of the US could share with us feelings about why they liked OT or Bluegrass music, that would be great too.

Or someone who has a distinctive ethnic background in some national music that could enlighten us, it would be great.

Wouldn't it be fantastic to hear from an African drummer about the role of rhythm in a community?

i think that the folk community is ever expanding and getting more diverse which is in my mind a good thing. I see folk music as a cultural index into the lives of people and their humanity that is really important...a kind of musical anthropology. I am always grateful for some new information about folk music whether it can be agreed upon as to what it is or not.

Frank Hamilton