Parish
Keep Austin White?
RECEIVED Tue., May 2, 2006
Dear Editor,
I just wanted to draw your attention to the tone of the Cyril Neville profile [“Tell It Like It Is,” Music, April 28]. The writer blithely disassociated the racism in Austin from the racism in New Orleans. When Mr. Neville was describing the black middle-class neighborhood that the city leveled with a freeway, I thought, well surely here's where the writer kicks it up and discusses the parallels here in Mr. Neville's new home and asks him what he thinks of this. The notion that Austin is somehow a respite or safe haven from these "isolated incidents" (to use the terms that keep whites in perpetual denial) of oppression, humiliation, exclusion, and violence is a position that creates the atmosphere of preciousness, passivity, and fashionable liberalism that Austin is known and loved for (by whites). Please consider probing into the dark side of Austin – pun intended. Or just start probing – that would be a good start. But what I anticipate is that this publication will continue to maintain Austin's status quo: Keep Austin white – I mean weird! I look forward to your inevitable rebuttal.
I just wanted to draw your attention to the tone of the Cyril Neville profile [“Tell It Like It Is,” Music, April 28]. The writer blithely disassociated the racism in Austin from the racism in New Orleans. When Mr. Neville was describing the black middle-class neighborhood that the city leveled with a freeway, I thought, well surely here's where the writer kicks it up and discusses the parallels here in Mr. Neville's new home and asks him what he thinks of this. The notion that Austin is somehow a respite or safe haven from these "isolated incidents" (to use the terms that keep whites in perpetual denial) of oppression, humiliation, exclusion, and violence is a position that creates the atmosphere of preciousness, passivity, and fashionable liberalism that Austin is known and loved for (by whites). Please consider probing into the dark side of Austin – pun intended. Or just start probing – that would be a good start. But what I anticipate is that this publication will continue to maintain Austin's status quo: Keep Austin white – I mean weird! I look forward to your inevitable rebuttal.
Signed,
Cauleen Smith
Cauleen Smith
