Now I've read through this whole thread (and it's way past my bedtime). I never thought of Azizi as black until she responded (very nicely, but a bit long-windedly, but I've gotten used to that now) to a thread I started on songs against racism. I didn't know she was a woman until tonight. I'd like to say gender and skin colour make no difference to me (but they do, even if just a little).

My interest in the topic is that my son, who grew up in another country, is coloured--his mother is Somalian (I'm Irish, by the way). As a result, I'm a bit sensitive to racist comments. Years ago I easily got into fights if I heard what I thought was a racist comment, and lost a couple of close friends as a result of their attitude (or my attitude). But then I've come to realize, well, no use going through life with a chip on your shoulder--people are going to do what they want to do, that's life, make the best of it, and my reply to a racist comment now is: Keep your comments to yourself, we're ALL God's children under heaven.   

In some ways I can feel for Azizi, but in other ways I want to say lighten up, don't go around brooding. There are so many people in the world, and no doubt on Mudcat, with really bad problems--health, financial, family, drugs, drink, etc.--to worry about. Your health is your wealth, and if you've got that consider yourself lucky and everything else falls into perspective.

And on a lighter note, the Carolina Chocolate Drops are coming to Ireland, and all going well I'll be at their gig next Saturday.

Don