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

[FauxWhiteOrchid]

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?

"Dixie" and "Dixieland" are two different things, surely?

Why so angry at people who just don’t want to offend others? Surely that’s a good and nice thing to do

"Dixieland" describes a style of jazz music though - what's offensive about it?

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

FFS

yeah sure you are

It's a particular type of jazz, originally from New Orleans, and made popular by Louis Armstrong, among others. Just as there are other types such as swing, cool, gypsy or be bop. A lot of the musicians playing that sort of jazz, in the US at least, would be black. Personally I think you should leave it alone.

I'm not up on the history or the usage of the word Dixieland but if you think that it is offensive you could contact the band and put your point of view across politely.

I contacted a local tourist office where I live (not in the UK) to point out that Red Indian is offensive and would they please consider renaming their children's activity "Live a day in the life of a Red Indian" as something else (it involved shooting with a bow and arrow, sitting around a campfire, games in a teepee).
The whole activity was a bit problematic to be honest and I couldn't see the point of it in an area of Europe with its own culture and plenty of outdoor type activities.
They changed the name to "Indian Adventure" or something similar and a couple of years afterwards the activity was dropped entirely and replaced with archery.

‘The Night They Drove old Dixie Down’. (Bob Dylan &) The Band. One of my favourite songs. I understand the context, it’s a song from the Confederate perspective about losing the Civil War. I wouldn’t call it racist.

As someone born in the US, I have had to explain to several people that the confederate flag is a symbol of oppression and slavery for black Americans. Also had to explain that wearing Native American clothing/headwear is really not okay. They all took it pretty well.

But in this case, I think they are referring to Dixieland, which is a style of music, rather than a specific reference to the area below the Mason Dixon line.

But there is no harm in messaging them to ask if they know.

What will you suggest they change it to?

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).

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

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.

It’s the association with the Confederate song Dixie’s Land that has made the word contentious.

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

According to who?

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

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?

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/

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.

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.

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.

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

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

🤣🤣🤣