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AIBU?

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Original poster

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

285 replies

FauxWhiteOrchid · 03/08/2024 10:25

There’s a local jazz event taking place soon and the bio describes the band as “Dixieland”. I remember the Dixie Chicks apologising and changing their name.

The word derives from the American South and is also used in a Confederate song. Here’s the full Wikipedia page for “Dixie”. Basically, its usage is racist.

I was surprised to see the word at all but also not surprised as I live in a very white Reform/Tory voting area.

AIBU to contact the band and ask them to change their description? Or leave them alone? I know what the reaction will be if I do contact them: just music blah blah been a traditional word for this style of jazz blah blah world gone mad woke blah joy thief etc. But I see no reason to use this word in this day and age.

WWYD?

OP posts:
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WaverOfSticks · 03/08/2024 13:32

FauxWhiteOrchid · 03/08/2024 10:50

It would help if there was an alternative name. But Dixie is ingrained in many people’s minds as a style of jazz but the meaning of the word isn’t.

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But it's not called "Dixie Jazz", it's called "Dixieland Jazz".

You're trying so terribly hard to be offended about it, you're coming across as totally deranged...

LoneHydrangea · 03/08/2024 13:31

I’d say you’re looking to find offence where there’s none to be had.

AvocadoDevil · 03/08/2024 13:30

OP I think your mind might explode if you went to a country music concert and saw black people dancing with confederate flags (something I have seen a few times).

NewGreenDuck · 03/08/2024 13:25

Does the orange ban extend to tangerines, satsumas, mandarins, as their names could be problematic?

WaverOfSticks · 03/08/2024 13:24

Astonmaid · 03/08/2024 11:06

Dixieland (not Dixie) is the well-known name for a style of jazz music. You're being daft.

This basically...

godmum56 · 03/08/2024 13:21

Purplebunnie · 03/08/2024 12:39

I agree, ban oranges, the give me migraines as well

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another vote to ban oranges, think of the Orange Free State!

SaintHonoria · 03/08/2024 13:20

Millions of Americans have no problem with the word Dixie. It's odd that some woman in the U.K. does.

Farm Aid

%3D
Backscuttle · 03/08/2024 13:18

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Ponoka7 · 03/08/2024 13:18

It's been more or less established that the song came from one of the surveyors names, Jeremiah Dixon. There was documentation of the term being used at least twenty years before the Minstral song. Dixie Jazz was self identification. So I'm on the fence.

Midnightalready · 03/08/2024 13:17

FauxWhiteOrchid · 03/08/2024 10:32

Interesting that 86% have voted that I am BU.

Because we're all so bored with the constant race-baiting and purity spirals.

Qanat53 · 03/08/2024 13:16

FauxWhiteOrchid · 03/08/2024 11:36

Ah. I see the confusion. I live in this area but I don’t agree with the views of the Tories et al. I referenced them because of the expected reaction if I did raise the issue with the band.

Just shocked you refer to your area as “Tory”like all people there hold views you think are racist because the majority voted Tory. Much more to political voting than “race”.

Like to see you on Question Time asking about Dixieland. See how your favorite party responds.

You should move to area with a MP that represents your narrow mind.

NewGreenDuck · 03/08/2024 13:15

I've just had some joy by listening to the divine Django Reinhardt. The best guitarist ever, IMHO.

allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld · 03/08/2024 13:13

@FauxWhiteOrchid you are a prime example of a "thief of joy!" go and get a life and let other people enjoy theirs!

FinalInstructionstotheAudience · 03/08/2024 13:13

Icepearl · 03/08/2024 13:05

Probably, but we are talking about a name someone has chosen to use in 2024, and it has more than one meaning

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No probably, both were.
And like it or not, Dixieland is the name of a genre of jazz. Yes, it is now larely played by white men in stripey waistcoats and straw boaters, as mentioned by a previous PP, but do you really believe that when this type of jazz developed, by largely black muscicians, they saw it in the way it is being interpreted by some here?
No, I am not black, so of course, I cannot know, but I would have thought that if they created the music, they could define it. Or boycott it if necessary

Backscuttle · 03/08/2024 13:11

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lolit · 03/08/2024 13:11

You must not have much going on in your life, op. Get a hobby

INeedAnotherName · 03/08/2024 13:11

Ilovelurchers · 03/08/2024 11:46

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?

I would be most interested in hearing the views of black Mumsnetters on this.

Which black people though. Black Americans, black Africans, black Carribeans, black British, black European etc? They all have a different heritage and it's racist to think they are all the same based on the colour of their skin. I'm actually horrified you think this is the best way to find out.

As for the OP, Dixieland is a type of jazz, same as swing. What word would you use instead so other people will immediately know the style?

NewGreenDuck · 03/08/2024 13:09

Icepearl · 03/08/2024 13:05

Probably, but we are talking about a name someone has chosen to use in 2024, and it has more than one meaning

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They clearly play that style of jazz. It's not the type of jazz I like, but it really does mean just that. If I was invited to a jazz concert my 1st question would be ' what sort?'. If it was Dixieland I wouldn't be interested. It really is that simple.

tuvamoodyson · 03/08/2024 13:07

Lilysgoneshopping · 03/08/2024 11:32

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

…on behalf of people that OP things WOULD be offended, but aren’t 🤷‍♀️

Icepearl · 03/08/2024 13:05

FinalInstructionstotheAudience · 03/08/2024 12:59

Oh, I think the area known as Dixie and Dixeland jazz were coined well before anyone had identified dyslexia as a condition!

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Probably, but we are talking about a name someone has chosen to use in 2024, and it has more than one meaning

Backscuttle · 03/08/2024 13:04

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FinalInstructionstotheAudience · 03/08/2024 13:04

ComedicPivot · 03/08/2024 12:43

I don’t. It must be seriously dull to perpetually be in faux outrage at every thing in the world.

The OP seriously needs to get a life; get hobbies, read more, get some exercise and not pickle in their own bile.

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Many faux's today
It's not even fauxday, it's saturday

FinalInstructionstotheAudience · 03/08/2024 12:59

Icepearl · 03/08/2024 11:50

Dixie is also a nick name for dyslexic. Could be a reference to that

Oh, I think the area known as Dixie and Dixeland jazz were coined well before anyone had identified dyslexia as a condition!

ruby1957 · 03/08/2024 12:56

PinkyPonkyLittleDonkey · 03/08/2024 12:51

Guarantee the op is white and is pretty clueless.

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Doubt it as she has already been a bit judgmental about 'white' areas,

ruby1957 · 03/08/2024 12:55

I was surprised to see the word at all but also not surprised as I live in a very white Reform/Tory voting area.

OP - this statement is seriously offensive - epecially to the people who live in your area, how dare they be white in a white country, how dare they not vote the way you do.

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