To contact this jazz band and tell them to stop using this word?

OP, I didn't know about the associations with the word so thank you, I have learned something. And I am interested in the use of language and would prefer not to use things that have the potential to offend anyway, so I find this useful knowledge.

And I definitely think it would be worth contacting the band and making them aware, as they may well feel the same.

I would be most interested in hearing the views of black Mumsnetters on this. I think when we are looking at potentially offensive language, what is most important to hear is the views of those with the potential to be offended by it.

Obviously people may not want to share their ethnicity (just like any other detail about themselves) and that's fine, but are there any black Mumsnetters willing to share their opinion on this term, and whether it would offend them used in this context?

Am I allowed to say ' well he can whistle Dixie', a common expression in some parts of the country?

I posted that you're being unreasonable because it's a style of music of an era that's long gone - and one that you can't change.

Tbh you sound like on of those insufferable bores that seaches night and day to find something to be offended about

This ^

So you really believe this to be racism? And anybody suggesting on the contrary to be a racist?

What’s Tory got to do with it?

what word is the replacement for Dixieland? You must tell them what word to use instead of Dixieland.

enlighten the band/PR company and they can decide what to do with the knowledge

I've copied and pasted this from Reddit as the same question was asked on there.

I agree with this -

savemejebus00*
•
8 yr. ago

'Jesus Christ, will you keep gender studies degrees out of jazz? Your entire description of "racism" just associates it with racist behavior. Your opinion of it being corny can be immediately rejected by having a different opinion. Inaccurate? Funny I have a jazz history book by Gunther Schuller that has no problem using the word in the second sentence of chapter 2. Why? Because it is accurate and depicts a part of history. Here is a much more innocuous article on the word "Dixie" in the NYT.
Let me guess, upper middle class white person? Stop creating problems where they do not exist. This kind of nonsense is decisive, incendiary, and exaggerated. You are just trying to show how "not racist" you are by causing problems unconcerned to the damage you do under the protection of a false sense of righteousness.'

What does living in a white/reform area have to do with it?
Tbh you sound like on of those insufferable bores that seaches night and day to find something to be offended about

🤣🤣🤣

I say ban oranges (they give me migraines so I might be biased.)

Dixieland does not have an association with that
Would you ban Orange Day marching music given the background of that?

Another thread where someone mentions racism with the obvious intent to attract a load of “this is political correctness gone mad” replies from racists. Great, we’ve not had one of those for about five minutes.

The Dixie Chicks are idiots, so I wouldn't be starting from their example.

In any case, I don't come from a "Tory/Reform, white voting aea" and I think you are out of line. It is not controversial to refer to this type of music which is largely made up of black musicians.

The idea that it's not acceptable to describe a certain area of geography is also pretty controversial, and not just among white people. There is very much a degree of association, it depends on the idea that any historical/geographical reference used for states that were Confederate, and saw themselves as such, must itself be racist. Which is a bit of a stretch at best.

You'll just come across as sanctimonious.

Surely in relation to music, and jazz in particular, the meaning of Dixieland Jazz isn't offensive?

Reminds me of GS telling me a group of sixth formers thought Montenegro should be renamed as it is offensive.

Stop policing others speech.
We don't have the same history and sensitivities as in the US.

Should you continue with your crusade, perhaps focus on this private school next https://www.dixie.org.uk/

Only if you choose to make that association.

It also describes a popular style of jazz music and has been used for decades. What do you hope to achieve by contacting them? For them to change their entire style just so they don't use the word "Dixieland" anymore?

According to who?

You are British right? You've got no history of living in the southern states of the USA?

What about the cartoon mice Pixie and Dixie? Perhaps they could be told…

It's a descriptor for the genre of music; a subset of jazz, describing where it originated and mainly played.
As with most jazz, it sounds bloody awful, but is a stalwart at numerous festivals and outdoor events.
There is debate about the origin of Dixie, as others have pointed out.

Nice try OP. It's the fact you've said you live in a very white Tory/Reform area that gives it away.

Possibly fortunate that John Mayall recently passed away in case the Smurfs objected to his bands name. 🥶

Nothing more annoying than a white saviour (and I speak as a person of colour).