It’s fitting that when we pulled up this story on NPR’s website, a “Donate” popup appeared. No thanks, we’re overpaying already.
Apparently inspired by the new Beatles documentary from Peter Jackson, Ann Powers wrote a really, really long piece on what makes a rock band. From thousands of nonsense words, NPR managed to pull this out to feature:
How did we get stuck with the idea that four white guys make a rock band?https://t.co/MD7uF8m5SP
— NPR (@NPR) December 21, 2021
It’s really, really all so tiresome. Powers writes:
The term “band guy” is problematic, though, isn’t it? In 2021 it’s as common for women, trans and nonbinary people to jump into rock’s timestream as it is for men. Yet something continues to infuse the rock mythos with the sweaty-socks scent of conventional, if boyish, masculinity. Whiteness, too. Though plenty of historic examples exist of collaborations among Black performers as intense as The Beatles or as long-standing as Foo Fighters — The Isley Brothers fulfill both goals, for example — rock’s defining narrative still stands alongside others that reflect the historic segregation of Anglo-American social spheres. Band guys stand alongside other heroes of homosocial, mostly segregated histories: astronauts, high school state champions, foxhole dwellers, a rugby scrum.
“… that reflect the historic segregation of Anglo-American social spheres.”
My goodness do you guys ever give it a rest?
— Andrew Sommers (@obodai2000) December 21, 2021
The average NPR employee thinks about race more than the average Daily Stormer reader.
— You Should Have Voted For Jo (@colorblindk1d) December 22, 2021
Just say you don’t listen to music
— febes (@michaelthefever) December 21, 2021
That’s it. Unfollowing NPR. Goodbye.
— Sucram (@MarcusMEQ) December 22, 2021
You think rock is white?
— Engineer (@Engineervlsi) December 21, 2021
"how did we get stuck with this?" *shows picture from 50 years ago*
— Joe, AsD, EDP (@joe_r_Odonnell) December 22, 2021
I don't know, @NPR, how did you get that idea?
— Look upon my works, ye mighty, and pay me. (@ThomasHoufek) December 23, 2021
How did we get stuck with the idea that you're ever relevant?
— Physics Geek (@physicsgeek) December 23, 2021
Maybe you did, we didn’t
— Rienard Knight-Laurie (@godsven3loquist) December 22, 2021
How did we get stuck with the idea that race is the only thing that matters?
— James Costopoulos (@JamesCostopoul1) December 22, 2021
— mexiYesICan 🇨🇦🇲🇽 (@HubertoGarza) December 22, 2021
GFY pic.twitter.com/ZztzPuy7eJ
— Ivor McTinn 🥃 (@ChampionCapua) December 23, 2021
I did it, sorry everyone
— crystallized polarization (@Joe26638060) December 22, 2021
— Kenny Baker (@Kennybaker85) December 23, 2021
NPR exists in 🤡🌎
— 6StringSailor (@6StringSailor) December 22, 2021
— Krista (@spooky_k_latte) December 23, 2021
It's a nonsensical question and a false narrative.
— Kris Miller (@millerk20) December 22, 2021
Defund NPR.
— ForceGhostPorkins (@JekBlueGlowy) December 22, 2021
I don’t know. Tell us. pic.twitter.com/GfT1Omau73
— ChristmasCalvin (@MWBRI) December 22, 2021
Yeah…that's not a thing.
— Waylon (@mattmo53) December 23, 2021
Are you seriously high? I can list two dozen rock bands with POC without breaking a sweat.
— SGT Mortis Von Gobbleshanks (@WitchyDruss) December 22, 2021
Budget's getting tight, huh? Gotta get those clicks in before EOY!
— Disciple_of_the_Boogdozer (@the_real_dwilly) December 22, 2021
Do you listen to music or know anyone who does?
— Fides Veritas (@Fides_Veritas) December 23, 2021
I blame Chuck Berry
— Dan, a Chimpanzee Full of Snakes (@TheBestMarduk) December 22, 2021
— George Warleggan (@thereelflinth) December 22, 2021
— A.Sawyer354 (@VX_GAS_ATTACK) December 22, 2021
My God! That was some bloated jarble right there…
— RC Scott (@TheRCScott) December 23, 2021
Don’t you have actual news to report on? Great to see my tax dollars at work!
— Andrew Sommers (@obodai2000) December 21, 2021
Meanwhile, NPR is whiter than winter in Vermont.
— Jim Joseph (@pontpachyderm) December 22, 2021
How did we get stuck with a publicly funded organization that does nothing for the public? @NPR
— Brad Anderson (@Darbydarb1) December 23, 2021
— Jonathan Winters II (the real)🇸🇩 (@Baklava84) December 21, 2021
This is just stupid
— Tom Thumb (@rockstr0069) December 22, 2021
We’re not kidding — this thing is like 10,000 words divided into five sections. Someone put time into this. And got paid for it.
Related:
NPR highlights the ‘disappointment’ many Bostonians apparently feel because their next mayor is the *wrong kind* of Democratic woman of color https://t.co/PQUrx1QoN0
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) November 16, 2021
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