Shambles, perhaps the answer might be the same one as to why Scott Joplin, Louis Chauvin, and all the other American ragtime composers were reviled and shunned by the musical establishment a century ago, and why jazz could in the early days be found on the "bad side of town." Same thing happened in the early days of rock 'n' roll, and country music was thought to be the province of half-witted, toothless, moonshine drinkin', banjo pickin', barefooted, hillbillies. Heck, I can remember when folk music and possession of a guitar was tantamount to admitting membership in the nearest Communist Marching Band and Chowder Society. This response doesn't answer the question of why, directly. I've never understood why folks are embarrassed by their own ethnic cultures, and why others are viewed as more chic, sexy, or cool.