Comments on: NQC 07: Black and white http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/ Criticism and commentary on southern gospel music and culture Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:49:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 By: Gerald Rallins http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-124868 Gerald Rallins Thu, 20 Sep 2007 18:15:45 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-124868 I think David Bruce Murray has made the best points yet on here. Reggie wasn't offended. By the reaction of the crowd, 99% of them weren't either. Get over it, we're all equal --- right? It seems to me the people making a fuss about it are almost more racist than those who aren't because otherwise it wouldn't be a big deal. It's like joking about someone with a bald head. Is it racist to say someone's a "chrome dome?" No. If we're all equal, then saying someone has darker skin than another isn't racist at all - in fact, it could actually be a compliment. GET OVER IT! I think David Bruce Murray has made the best points yet on here. Reggie wasn’t offended. By the reaction of the crowd, 99% of them weren’t either. Get over it, we’re all equal — right? It seems to me the people making a fuss about it are almost more racist than those who aren’t because otherwise it wouldn’t be a big deal. It’s like joking about someone with a bald head. Is it racist to say someone’s a “chrome dome?” No. If we’re all equal, then saying someone has darker skin than another isn’t racist at all - in fact, it could actually be a compliment. GET OVER IT!

]]> By: SgDoc http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-124382 SgDoc Thu, 20 Sep 2007 04:04:43 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-124382 I wonder how many of you would have commented here about Reggie if the subject wasn't what it is. Can we please talk about his wonderful and talented wife and girls who are constantantly left in the background? I wonder how many of you would have commented here about Reggie if the subject wasn’t what it is. Can we please talk about his wonderful and talented wife and girls who are constantantly left in the background?

]]> By: KRBigley http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-121786 KRBigley Mon, 17 Sep 2007 19:17:08 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-121786 I would say that 99% of the folks don't know what really happened behind the scenes. From a pretty reliable source, Gerald was looking for The Mark Trammell Trio. According to the program listing at the stage that night (which happened to be an incorrect printing), MTT as next up. So, Gerald was looking for MTT until a stage employee got his attention and directed his attention to Reggie. With all the stage lighting, it was difficult to see who the stage help was pointing to. Before jumping to judgmental conclusions about a person's racial feelings, it is best to know all the information and be in his/her shoes. I believe that Gerald is totally innocent of any wrong in this particular circumstance. I would say that 99% of the folks don’t know what really happened behind the scenes. From a pretty reliable source, Gerald was looking for The Mark Trammell Trio. According to the program listing at the stage that night (which happened to be an incorrect printing), MTT as next up. So, Gerald was looking for MTT until a stage employee got his attention and directed his attention to Reggie. With all the stage lighting, it was difficult to see who the stage help was pointing to. Before jumping to judgmental conclusions about a person’s racial feelings, it is best to know all the information and be in his/her shoes. I believe that Gerald is totally innocent of any wrong in this particular circumstance.

]]> By: JimT http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-121437 JimT Mon, 17 Sep 2007 11:44:39 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-121437 How come no one was offended when Ivan Parker made a joke about Gerald Wolfe being short on the same program? Darrell Stewart has been teased about being bald. JIm Hammil referred to Parker Jonathan as an "injun," and called Randy Miller "Lurch." And of course, there is the ubiquitous joke about the femininity of tenor singers. This was no different than any of those. Anyone who considers Wolfe's remark as racist is pretty uptight. How come no one was offended when Ivan Parker made a joke about Gerald Wolfe being short on the same program? Darrell Stewart has been teased about being bald. JIm Hammil referred to Parker Jonathan as an “injun,” and called Randy Miller “Lurch.” And of course, there is the ubiquitous joke about the femininity of tenor singers. This was no different than any of those. Anyone who considers Wolfe’s remark as racist is pretty uptight.

]]> By: quartet-man http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-120592 quartet-man Sun, 16 Sep 2007 10:59:48 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-120592 It's all in Black and White and it's written in red............ (the title of this topic got me thinking of that song. :-) ) It’s all in Black and White and it’s written in red………… (the title of this topic got me thinking of that song. :-) )

]]> By: David Bruce Murray http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-120371 David Bruce Murray Sat, 15 Sep 2007 19:09:01 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-120371 By the way, where is all the outrage when Gordon Mote feigns surprise after being told he isn't black? Does he get a pass for making a black joke because he's blind? By the same logic, shouldn't Kevin Williams be considered to be just as insensitive as Wolfe for pointing out that Mote is blind in a room full of 20,000 people who are blessed with the ability to see? By the way, where is all the outrage when Gordon Mote feigns surprise after being told he isn’t black? Does he get a pass for making a black joke because he’s blind? By the same logic, shouldn’t Kevin Williams be considered to be just as insensitive as Wolfe for pointing out that Mote is blind in a room full of 20,000 people who are blessed with the ability to see?

]]> By: David Bruce Murray http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-120367 David Bruce Murray Sat, 15 Sep 2007 18:23:36 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-120367 Wayne (#10), Your point regarding the truly racist reactions of a crowd some years ago is dead on! I'm all for calling racism by its name when it exists, but this example of Wolfe commenting on the blackness of Saddler is NOT one of those times. If stating a fact in a joking manner is considered racism, we've far surpassed any rational level of sensitivity. As for the makeup of the crowd at NQC, maybe some of those who are offended on Saddler's behalf should try sitting on the front row of a predominantly black comedy club. Then they'll see a sharp contrast. Being the easy, obvious target in a room like that can be downright brutal, compared to the way Saddler was mildly joked about for less than 30 seconds and then applauded for the rest of his set. Wayne (#10),
Your point regarding the truly racist reactions of a crowd some years ago is dead on! I’m all for calling racism by its name when it exists, but this example of Wolfe commenting on the blackness of Saddler is NOT one of those times.

If stating a fact in a joking manner is considered racism, we’ve far surpassed any rational level of sensitivity.

As for the makeup of the crowd at NQC, maybe some of those who are offended on Saddler’s behalf should try sitting on the front row of a predominantly black comedy club. Then they’ll see a sharp contrast. Being the easy, obvious target in a room like that can be downright brutal, compared to the way Saddler was mildly joked about for less than 30 seconds and then applauded for the rest of his set.

]]> By: DamonfromKY http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-119805 DamonfromKY Sat, 15 Sep 2007 03:02:02 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-119805 To NG#13: It was not on an album like your example, but the emcee of a Top 5 group was still telling a watermelon joke before singing a "black" song at a public concert as late as 2003. That person is retired now, but I was shocked and very disappointed that this was still part of the script. To NG#13: It was not on an album like your example, but the emcee of a Top 5 group was still telling a watermelon joke before singing a “black” song at a public concert as late as 2003. That person is retired now, but I was shocked and very disappointed that this was still part of the script.

]]> By: HG http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-119791 HG Sat, 15 Sep 2007 02:33:25 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-119791 I believe it is more offensive to spell Reggie's surname wrong ( 2 D's required) than to make a quip of this type when the emcee knows exactly what his parameters are. Enough said. I believe it is more offensive to spell Reggie’s surname wrong ( 2 D’s required) than to make a quip of this type when the emcee knows exactly what his parameters are. Enough said.

]]> By: David Bruce Murray http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-119763 David Bruce Murray Sat, 15 Sep 2007 01:53:13 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-119763 I wasn't there, but it appears that what one person considered to be a "racist" remark was humorous to the other 99.9% of the people in the room, including the black guy. Why do some individuals (and organizations like the ACLU) bend over backwards to defend a person who didn't appear to have been offended? Why should we care if someone got offended on behalf of another person who WASN'T offended? I wasn’t there, but it appears that what one person considered to be a “racist” remark was humorous to the other 99.9% of the people in the room, including the black guy.

Why do some individuals (and organizations like the ACLU) bend over backwards to defend a person who didn’t appear to have been offended? Why should we care if someone got offended on behalf of another person who WASN’T offended?

]]> By: TLN http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-119745 TLN Sat, 15 Sep 2007 01:33:48 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-119745 I must agree with J-Mo (#14) on this one ("racial comments are unacceptable regardless of their intent"). While I would certainly understand friendly banter/joking of this type between close friends of different races or skin color, etc. in a non-public setting, this should never be done in a public arena, and CERTAINLY never in a "Christian" setting such as the NQC. Comments of this type should be deemed just as unacceptale as, say, for instance, a derogatory comment that was directed toward any one of our precious SG artists who happen to be overweight or even obese. Can you imagine what an uproar it would cause if an M.C. or another artist jokingly said something about someone "having trouble climbing the stairs to the stage", or commenting on how long it was taking them, or saying "half the people in the audience just disappeared when you walked on stage", etc.? I sure you get my point. To sum it up, I believe that we in the public eye should carefully weigh our comments, keeping them in check, and refrain from vocalizing those that may POSSIBLY be PERCEIVED as derogatory or racist. It is our responsibility to always keep the focus on Christ, and if we want to comment about a particular artist or group, it would be much more advandtageous to the cause of Christ to mention how great a ministry this artist/group has or how much of an impact they have had in their ministry! Have I analysed this one too much? I hope no I must agree with J-Mo (#14) on this one (”racial comments are unacceptable regardless of their intent”). While I would certainly understand friendly banter/joking of this type between close friends of different races or skin color, etc. in a non-public setting, this should never be done in a public arena, and CERTAINLY never in a “Christian” setting such as the NQC.

Comments of this type should be deemed just as unacceptale as, say, for instance, a derogatory comment that was directed toward any one of our precious SG artists who happen to be overweight or even obese. Can you imagine what an uproar it would cause if an M.C. or another artist jokingly said something about someone “having trouble climbing the stairs to the stage”, or commenting on how long it was taking them, or saying “half the people in the audience just disappeared when you walked on stage”, etc.? I sure you get my point.

To sum it up, I believe that we in the public eye should carefully weigh our comments, keeping them in check, and refrain from vocalizing those that may POSSIBLY be PERCEIVED as derogatory or racist. It is our responsibility to always keep the focus on Christ, and if we want to comment about a particular artist or group, it would be much more advandtageous to the cause of Christ to mention how great a ministry this artist/group has or how much of an impact they have had in their ministry!

Have I analysed this one too much? I hope no

]]> By: Angie M http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-119714 Angie M Sat, 15 Sep 2007 00:47:32 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-119714 #4: You make some good points. I don't know if Wolfe meant to say what he said or not. I was listening to the live feed, but I can't remember his exact words. I do remember having an "OMG...did he just say that?" moment. And, yeah, even if such remarks are well-intentioned, they should be avoided. I am blind, and I've had people say analogous things to me. They don't bother me because I'm uncomfortable with blindness; they bother me because they're the adult version of kids hiding my drink at lunch. But again, I'm not sure Wolfe actually meant to say what he said. #4: You make some good points. I don’t know if Wolfe meant to say what he said or not. I was listening to the live feed, but I can’t remember his exact words. I do remember having an “OMG…did he just say that?” moment. And, yeah, even if such remarks are well-intentioned, they should be avoided. I am blind, and I’ve had people say analogous things to me. They don’t bother me because I’m uncomfortable with blindness; they bother me because they’re the adult version of kids hiding my drink at lunch.

But again, I’m not sure Wolfe actually meant to say what he said.

]]> By: SPD http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-119520 SPD Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:25:11 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-119520 I love the Saddlers! They're great! What confuses me is that black people don't like them, atleast musically! I've seen them and Charles Johnson a few times and not always at a church! I saw Charles Johnson at an out door event that was well promoted and not one black person in the audience! I don't understand why! I love there music! I love the Saddlers! They’re great! What confuses me is that black people don’t like them, atleast musically! I’ve seen them and Charles Johnson a few times and not always at a church! I saw Charles Johnson at an out door event that was well promoted and not one black person in the audience! I don’t understand why! I love there music!

]]> By: J-Mo http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-119503 J-Mo Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:08:48 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-119503 Avery, we've discussed this in the past, but you obviously have quite an affection for everything Gerald Wolfe. Andrew Ishee, on the other hand, isn't exactly one of your favorite performers. Have you considered the possibility that maybe, in this rare instance, your feelings toward the individual making the comment might be playing into your assessment of the situation? You don't typically seem to have any problems evaluating situations objectively, but when it comes to Gerald Wolfe I sometimes think he could say Hitler wasn't so bad and follow it up with his rendition of "Achy Breaky Heart" and you'd find away to give him a pass. On a semi-related note, I notice that L5 singing tired Christmas songs at NQC doesn't go over with you quite as well as Gerald singing Oh Holy Night at NQC did at one point in time. For the record – My personal opinion is that all of these racial comments are unacceptable regardless of their intent and doing an overdone Christmas song at NQC is tacky no matter how perfectly sang it may be. Avery, we’ve discussed this in the past, but you obviously have quite an affection for everything Gerald Wolfe. Andrew Ishee, on the other hand, isn’t exactly one of your favorite performers. Have you considered the possibility that maybe, in this rare instance, your feelings toward the individual making the comment might be playing into your assessment of the situation? You don’t typically seem to have any problems evaluating situations objectively, but when it comes to Gerald Wolfe I sometimes think he could say Hitler wasn’t so bad and follow it up with his rendition of “Achy Breaky Heart” and you’d find away to give him a pass.

On a semi-related note, I notice that L5 singing tired Christmas songs at NQC doesn’t go over with you quite as well as Gerald singing Oh Holy Night at NQC did at one point in time.

For the record – My personal opinion is that all of these racial comments are unacceptable regardless of their intent and doing an overdone Christmas song at NQC is tacky no matter how perfectly sang it may be.

]]> By: NG http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-119498 NG Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:05:51 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-119498 I wasn't there but it seems relatively tame. Things have improved tremendously over the years. I have tapes of SGM concerts in the 1960s and there is no doubt they would be considered offensive by most folks today. As late as the early 80s, a SGM singer on an album made a watermelon joike before singing a spiritual. I wasn’t there but it seems relatively tame. Things have improved tremendously over the years. I have tapes of SGM concerts in the 1960s and there is no doubt they would be considered offensive by most folks today. As late as the early 80s, a SGM singer on an album made a watermelon joike before singing a spiritual.

]]> By: Janice http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-119493 Janice Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:01:34 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-119493 It almost seems like we are over-analyzing this. Have you ever had someone apologize to you for something that you thought nothing about at the time, but the apology gave it importance? After that you realize that there was more to it than you thought. That is how all of this analysis seems. It almost seems like we are over-analyzing this. Have you ever had someone apologize to you for something that you thought nothing about at the time, but the apology gave it importance? After that you realize that there was more to it than you thought. That is how all of this analysis seems.

]]> By: jh http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-119390 jh Fri, 14 Sep 2007 19:49:27 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-119390 I really think he just couldn't see him in the dark....when you're on a stage and lights are in your eyes it is very hard to see anywhere past the lip of the stage. I think it would've been hard to see anybody. I really think he just couldn’t see him in the dark….when you’re on a stage and lights are in your eyes it is very hard to see anywhere past the lip of the stage. I think it would’ve been hard to see anybody.

]]> By: Wayne http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-119370 Wayne Fri, 14 Sep 2007 19:33:13 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-119370 Who cares? If Reggie was offended by the remark, I'm sure he would have shown it. I remember back a few years ago when the winners of the talent show appeared on the main stage. It was possibly the Gospel Enforcers. It's been too long to remember, but I do recall there being a full band and a few singers. Anyway, when it was their time to shine on the stage, there was a mass exodus from the auditorium of white people. I even heard some muttering things like "If I wanted to hear jungle music Ida went ....." and "Why do they always have to ruin everything by putting (n-word)s on the stage!". I was outraged. A couple of hours later I watched as some of these same people were lifting their hands and hankies to the sounds of the McKameys, Cathedrals, and Gold City. I think this is a better example of racism. Who cares? If Reggie was offended by the remark, I’m sure he would have shown it.

I remember back a few years ago when the winners of the talent show appeared on the main stage. It was possibly the Gospel Enforcers. It’s been too long to remember, but I do recall there being a full band and a few singers. Anyway, when it was their time to shine on the stage, there was a mass exodus from the auditorium of white people. I even heard some muttering things like “If I wanted to hear jungle music Ida went …..” and “Why do they always have to ruin everything by putting (n-word)s on the stage!”. I was outraged. A couple of hours later I watched as some of these same people were lifting their hands and hankies to the sounds of the McKameys, Cathedrals, and Gold City. I think this is a better example of racism.

]]> By: Trent http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-119341 Trent Fri, 14 Sep 2007 18:28:10 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-119341 Avery, you mentioned "the hand he's dealt", talking about Sadler. While I love the Reggie Sadler Family's singing, what kind of hand has he been dealt? They are a black family singing Southern Gospel music, and, plain and simply, they are one of a handful of quality black groups who are doing that. He's been dealt no hand. He has been given equal opportunity and stage time and treated respectfully by the fans and industry officials. And I would say that he's OK with that. So, to infer that any kind of mass black crowd that sings SG music is being dealt a bad hand is a misnomer. There basically aren't any SG black groups...and those that are black and singing SG are being given every opportunity to excel and succeed. Avery, you mentioned “the hand he’s dealt”, talking about Sadler. While I love the Reggie Sadler Family’s singing, what kind of hand has he been dealt? They are a black family singing Southern Gospel music, and, plain and simply, they are one of a handful of quality black groups who are doing that. He’s been dealt no hand. He has been given equal opportunity and stage time and treated respectfully by the fans and industry officials. And I would say that he’s OK with that. So, to infer that any kind of mass black crowd that sings SG music is being dealt a bad hand is a misnomer. There basically aren’t any SG black groups…and those that are black and singing SG are being given every opportunity to excel and succeed.

]]> By: Dave http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-119331 Dave Fri, 14 Sep 2007 18:13:44 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/14/nqc-07-black-and-white/#comment-119331 I agree that NQC is a 99 percent white event. But when the black groups are there, such as Reggie Saddler, Charles Johnson, Gospel Enforcers, Jessy Dixon, Teddy Huffam, etc. the crowd really loves them and shows their appreciation. I agree that NQC is a 99 percent white event. But when the black groups are there, such as Reggie Saddler, Charles Johnson, Gospel Enforcers, Jessy Dixon, Teddy Huffam, etc. the crowd really loves them and shows their appreciation.

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