Daryl Hall of the soul-pop super duo Hall & Oates has strong message for the professional grievance-mongers of the world: “Shut the f*ck up.”
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In an recent interview with the left-wing porn blog Salon, Hall was asked about the concept of “cultural appropriation” as it applies to music—the idea that it is fundamentally racist and oppressive for white people to “appropriate” minority culture by composing music in genres such as blues, jazz or soul. White people with dreadlocks are another example of “cultural appropriation,” according to some.
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Hall was not impressed with the question, and delivered a searing critique of modern-day grievance culture and the “hotbed of idiocy” the college campuses have become.
One of the current debates is over “cultural appropriation”—the idea that white people should not appropriate the culture of ethnic and racial minorities. I know that you don’t like the term “blue eyed soul.” Have you followed this conversation?
Are you trying to say that I don’t own the style of music that I grew up with and sing? I grew up with this music. It is not about being black or white. That is the most naïve attitude I’ve ever heard in my life. That is so far in the past, I hope, for everyone’s sake. It isn’t even an issue to discuss. The music that you listened to when you grew up is your music. It has nothing to do with “cultural appropriation.”
I agree with you entirely, because…
I’m glad that you do, because anyone who says that should shut the f*ck up.
Well, this entire critique is coming back…
I’m sorry to hear it. Who is making these critiques? Who do they write for? What are their credentials to give an opinion like that? Who are they?
Much of it is academic.
Well, then they should go back to school. Academia? Now, there’s a hotbed of idiocy.
Brilliant, even the way the question is phrased: “One of the current debates is…”— as if anyone outside of Salon readers and college freshman have seriously debated the issue. A “hotbed of idiocy,” indeed.
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