AFRAM 337 Blogpost 4

Throughout this course we've seen the ways that minorities are erased from history, the articles by Ludwig Hurtado and Laina Dawes contribute to our archive of rectifying music history. Hurtado discusses the contributions Mexicans have provided to country music which is largely ignored or unknown by people today. Country music is categorized as white American music, evidenced by Department of Homeland Security's decision to recruit at country music festivals. The long connection of Mexican influence in country music and country culture is erased from the public. A music genre that was largely created by Mexican people, now is space for white people, and one in which Mexicans are unwelcome. Similarly, the narrative surrounding violence against women places the blame on women and designates them as unwelcome in public spaces. Women’s efforts to defend themselves, and stand up against violence through the Home Alive project was ignored while the attack and murder of Mia Zapata was well known. Popular explanations of violence against women is centered around a victim-blaming narrative that assumes women who walk alone at night are responsible for being victimized. Further insult to injury is the popular narrative that women are attacked by strangers, rather than the truth, which is that violence is more likely to come from someone you know. The misinformation surrounding violence against women places women at fault for their victimization, and absolves men of responsibility in their relationships. Women are left with the notion that they can’t leave their houses at night, that they don’t have the right to go where they please safely. In both of these examples, minorities are made to feel unwelcome or unsafe in spaces that belong to them.

Nameless, Faceless – Courtney Barnett https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZZSYDhx0FI

Turn to Hate – Orville Peck https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR-4l5M_MQ8

I chose to add Nameless, Faceless to the archive because Barnett sings about the ways in which women are made to feel unsafe constantly, an experience that men cannot relate to. It was the first song that came to mind as I read the article by Dawes. The second song I included is “Turn to Hate” by Orville Peck. Peck is a gay, country singer who challenges the stereotype of a country singer in his music and off stage. In this music video, he blends aspects of both gay and country culture.