It was a masterstroke by the Library of Congress, and current Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, the first woman and the first Black person in the role: Educate the public about the large collection of historic flutes at the Library of Congress, and its role in preserving not just books but objects, by inviting Lizzo to play some of the instruments. And it worked. Before this week, did you know the Library of Congress had hundreds of flutes? Maybe three of you can answer yes to that.
But of course conservatives had to make it all about themselves and their racism. We’re getting to the point where nothing can happen involving a Black person that does not draw a pile-on from prominent Republicans using it to elevate themselves with the Republican base, which eats that up. It’s a vicious circle of bigotry: The likes of Ben Shapiro spew racism because their fan base gets riled up. The Republican base gets more worked up by racism because their party’s prominent voices are telling them it’s an important thing to embrace and a central part of their identity as Republicans. Then, because it’s a way to get attention, the Shapiros and would-be Shapiros ratchet the racism up a little more.
It’s sad, because this was a lovely story, of a talented, successful Black woman—one who studied classical flute in college, by the way—and a national institution coming together to promote history and music. And it got turned into an ugly story about bigotry.
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First, let’s take a look at this, because it’s amazing.
It’s unfortunate that we have to pay attention to the racism—but we do, because it’s important to recognize when the prominent voices of a major political movement are deploying racism to energize their followers—but let's do that by highlighting some of the really excellent responses to that racism at the same time.
Here’s how ridiculous the right’s obsession with dehumanizing people who aren’t like them has become:
After all that, here’s one last palate cleanser:
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But of course conservatives had to make it all about themselves and their racism. We’re getting to the point where nothing can happen involving a Black person that does not draw a pile-on from prominent Republicans using it to elevate themselves with the Republican base, which eats that up. It’s a vicious circle of bigotry: The likes of Ben Shapiro spew racism because their fan base gets riled up. The Republican base gets more worked up by racism because their party’s prominent voices are telling them it’s an important thing to embrace and a central part of their identity as Republicans. Then, because it’s a way to get attention, the Shapiros and would-be Shapiros ratchet the racism up a little more.
It’s sad, because this was a lovely story, of a talented, successful Black woman—one who studied classical flute in college, by the way—and a national institution coming together to promote history and music. And it got turned into an ugly story about bigotry.
RELATED STORY: 'Well, I'm a pretty good player': Serena Williams actually has to say this after win at U.S. Open
First, let’s take a look at this, because it’s amazing.
NOBODY HAS EVER HEARD THIS FAMOUS CRYSTAL FLUTE BEFORE NOW YOU HAVE IM THE FIRST & ONLY PERSON TO EVER PLAY THIS PRESIDENTIAL 200-YEAR-OLD CRYSTAL FLUTE— THANK YOU @librarycongresspic.twitter.com/VgXjpC49sO
— FOLLOW @YITTY (@lizzo) September 28, 2022
It’s unfortunate that we have to pay attention to the racism—but we do, because it’s important to recognize when the prominent voices of a major political movement are deploying racism to energize their followers—but let's do that by highlighting some of the really excellent responses to that racism at the same time.
Here’s how ridiculous the right’s obsession with dehumanizing people who aren’t like them has become:
After all that, here’s one last palate cleanser:
RELATED STORY: Representation matters: Watch ecstatic Black girls react to the new Little Mermaid trailer