Pick of the Week

Subject: Pick of the Week
From: Crowdercref
Date: 01 Apr 08 - 12:18 PM

Friends,

On Pick of the Week (Radio 4, Sunday Mar 30, 18:15 - 19:00 ) Mathew Parris reviewed a programme called The Mystery of the Black Boy (about pubs of that name), which contained a clip of Kevin Mitchell singing - beautifully, it goes without saying - a traditional Irish song. He called Mitchell's voice 'dreadful caterwauling' and thanked African culture for saving us from our own 'ghastly' folk music. I am outraged by this comment, and I've sent the following complaint to [e-mail] and [e-mail]

I suggest that friends may care to listen to this programme, and consider if they may wish to comment.

Crowdercref

Sirs,

I would like you to know that I am deeply offended by the comments of Matthew Parris regarding the Irish singer Kevin Mitchell.

The folk world in UK and Ireland is deeply tolerant and supportive of traditions of all cultures. Yet it seems to be too easy for Parris and the like to rubbish the native cultures of these islands, with nothing other than superficial knowledge of anything other than commercially driven musics.

If any one in this land so characterised a traditional singer from, for example, Africa, Iran, or India, they would be rightly criticised, and would be in danger of court action.

Be advised that many of my colleagues now consider that is exactly the situation that Mr. Parris is in. Use of the radio to gratuitously broadcast personal abuse stemming from ignorance and intolerance is not what I expect of the BBC.

Please tell Parris to apologise, and learn. He will discover a relaxed, tolerant, friendly world, largely supported by unpaid enthusiasts. In that world are many types of music and many types of performer, united in the belief that the traditional vernacular cultures of these lands have much to teach us for both the present and the future.

Please post to previously started thread on the same subject: click here. Thank you.