artbrooks said:" -Azizi (I have gathered from other threads about other topics) strongly identifies with the socio-ethnic group commonly referred to as "African-American", and that is her choice and certainly her privilege. --"

it isn't a choice. It is an identity you are born into. Nobody can opt out. Being an "African-American" is thrust upon you. That's the difference. I can choose the social and political issues that I want to fight about, and can move on to whatever interests me, but, try as she might, Azizi is tied to that issue, for the duration.

As with every one of us, however, she does have a some choice in how she addresses the issue and that choice, ultimately, is the the true reflection of a person's character.

Azizi has, for some reason, chosen to spend a lot of time here at Mudcat--she is a folklorist, a collector, a teacher, and a performer, and she has given to us, honestly and unstintingly, from her discipline in all of those areas. She has invested a lot here, and for that reason, there is a lot to be learned from every thread that she's contributed to--and it is positive stuff, about the folklore/folk music related stuff that Mudcat is really about.

Its time to listen to what she has to say, not only because it is honest and true, but because she is one of the very best of us, and she has invested more than most in making this a better community-