A dignified and graceful response, when the natural (and understandable) response in the moment would have been anything but. Thank you for sharing this episode and your reflections.
I would love to think that things have changed since that time, but I see so much backsliding in this country where racists are comfortable showing their ugly feelings and no one calls them on it. Thank you for sharing. These are scars we can not forget.
Sonia, you hit it spot on. I, too, would love to write this off as something from an ignorant time period. But, unfortunately, it's just as bad (maybe more?) now. Because even though people know better, they choose to be vile regardless.
What makes a grown-up person act in such an inhumane manner? Poor upbringing...no upbringing...just got dumped by a girlfriend? None of them are good reasons; there are no good reasons. But reactions of this kind almost always mean one thing: fear. Why the fear? We'll never know.
I've always liked INXS -- like many people of my era, I have their greatest hits (many songs from the amazing album Kick) sitting right on my CD shelf. The damage from an anecdote like yours, Jae, is that now when I listen to their music, I'll be reminded of this ugly incident. The lasting power of racism! Always awful.
Thank you, Sung! When this all happened, I remember the publicist told me that he was awful to a very popular girl group at the time, to the point where he made them cry. And I was thinking, "Why don't they fire him?!" Recently, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and one of them thanked him. So, I don't know. The whole thing was so strange.
Like you, I've always enjoyed INXS's music, but I am reminded of this incident every time I hear their songs. And that's a shame.
A dignified and graceful response, when the natural (and understandable) response in the moment would have been anything but. Thank you for sharing this episode and your reflections.
Thank you so much, Leon. I appreciate your having taken the time to read this essay.
I would love to think that things have changed since that time, but I see so much backsliding in this country where racists are comfortable showing their ugly feelings and no one calls them on it. Thank you for sharing. These are scars we can not forget.
Sonia, you hit it spot on. I, too, would love to write this off as something from an ignorant time period. But, unfortunately, it's just as bad (maybe more?) now. Because even though people know better, they choose to be vile regardless.
What makes a grown-up person act in such an inhumane manner? Poor upbringing...no upbringing...just got dumped by a girlfriend? None of them are good reasons; there are no good reasons. But reactions of this kind almost always mean one thing: fear. Why the fear? We'll never know.
I've always liked INXS -- like many people of my era, I have their greatest hits (many songs from the amazing album Kick) sitting right on my CD shelf. The damage from an anecdote like yours, Jae, is that now when I listen to their music, I'll be reminded of this ugly incident. The lasting power of racism! Always awful.
Thank you, Sung! When this all happened, I remember the publicist told me that he was awful to a very popular girl group at the time, to the point where he made them cry. And I was thinking, "Why don't they fire him?!" Recently, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and one of them thanked him. So, I don't know. The whole thing was so strange.
Like you, I've always enjoyed INXS's music, but I am reminded of this incident every time I hear their songs. And that's a shame.