Whew! That one cuts deep. But I can’t disagree with you. 1. People get so upset over historically black music being performed by non black artist, but don’t care to search for [and support] artists that are making the music they’re arguing their “appropriation case” for. Stop it. 2. If a musician takes the time to study the music, LOVE the music, honor its origins, show respect for the history and the people who created the path for them to explore it, is it truly appropriation? 3. Everything is inspired by something. I’d argue that most of what we listen to [in the US] today is influenced by music from various indigenous cultures, gospel, jazz and of course blues. To me, music is a highly cross-cultural mixture of concepts and sounds that evoke emotion. Can any one group of people own it 100% if at all?

I really enjoy your essays.