Linguist John McWhorter views American music through a wide lens | Amplify with Lara Downes

[@bogdert]

@JohnMcWhorter - you are marvelously articulate person. I love listening to you speak, and happy to know it is your mission to help others see newness and interesting things in the everyday world. Best wishes from an old classmate (SR '81). Jeremy.

[@MelaninSpeakzOut]

Thank you both, for such a beautiful conversation 💕

[@MeluzHann]

What’s fascinating to me is that i was reflecting over the fact that i don’t like to be included with the masses but also i don’t like being excluded in the sense that “i wish someone was next to me to talk tchaik” the night before watching this. Thank you for reflecting back to me and adding to the timeline ^-^

[@Guy-itsMeOK]

Love John McWhorter content when he wears his linguist 🎩, I own, and ❤️, all his books 📚

[@DaboooogA]

Shout out John McWhorter - would highly recommend his book 'Losing the Race'.

[@dmac2573]

I feel like people might get triggered by the first few minutes of John talking, but he's incredibly nuanced and I recommend listening to more of him.

[@misspbrown2566]

Yes. I have to admit on the third play I watched to the end. 👍🏾🙂

[@AFringedGentian]

I so appreciate this conversation. I’ve been wondering what John’s thoughts were on William Grant Still. I remember the first time I heard Still’s “Afro-American Symphony” I had tears in my eyes.

[@andydonham8612]

This was a great interview. Thanks for introducing me to William Still.

[@cherylewers6322]

Lovely and fascinating conversation.

[@TM9_]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@cliterally1791]

OH COOL WHAT OTHER VIEWS DOES THIS MAN HOLD?

[@jamesgwarrior1981]

Huge John McWhorter fan. Think he gets incredibly misunderstood. Dare I say may have even lost a close friend with my fandom and said misunderstanding….

[@jamesgwarrior1981]

@nosach3651 i sincerely hope that is true. “No one misunderstandings.” But without those there would also be no learning.

[@cliterally1791]

ew!

[@jamesgwarrior1981]

@@cliterally1791 😄

[@islandboboy77]

Cool that I don't know the answer either but You University is the name of our U, Mr. YU

[@alechemy]

Haha I remember this guy. “In a 2001 article, McWhorter's discourse was that the attitudes and general behavior of black people, rather than white racism, were what held African Americans back in the United States“ And he has plenty more takes where that came from.

[@DaRealNordicBlack]

🙌🏾

[@johnmcguire3999]

I find some of these takes that jazz was all African American disheartening. I’m an Irish American jazz musician. Growing up, I learned that this was an art by many people, and what made it great was there was equality. French, Creole, and Irish musicians were allowed to be part of jazz too. To segregate early jazz as only Black is taking away from the power of its place. We are men and women of many shades, and jazz never crippled our development

[@hugo54758]

When will North America be less obsessed about race?

[@innercirclemusic1]

When will a chronic alcoholic drink less?

[@sdrtcacgnrjrc]

When there's less racism?

[@dmac2573]

@@sdrtcacgnrjrc the demand for racism exceeds the current supply

[@sdrtcacgnrjrc]

@@dmac2573 i'll admit it's a mess

[@allialias]

A lens so wide it fails to focus. Maybe we were discussing Scott Jo[lin? No mention of Mr. Joplin/s resurgence in film, by Marvin Hamlisch and others 50 yrs ago. Ragtime Music.

[@trugulldekass5479]

She said "high arts" as opposed to "low arts" Will not waste any more time listening.

[@LarryDraughnMusic]

But we already knew she's coming from that lens. The way that he calmly and articlulately responds reset decorum.

[@AdrianDeVore]

This interview was interesting, but pretentious at the same time. 🤦‍♀️

[@ammonioussaccas]

The go to “there’s no racism” Black guy.

[@Guaguanco11]

Telling that you have to misrepresent his arguments to criticize him. You must be doing this because you have no good response to the nuanced, unorthodox, yet liberal positions that he takes on racial issues.

[@timmyj2366]

@@Guaguanco11Perfectly said.

[@ammonioussaccas]

@@Guaguanco11 Well please elaborate since you know more than I would ever know. I’m obviously ignorant of his views because I don’t agree with them. Clarify without out the thoughtful insult. I’m all ears.

[@SelimxBradley]

@@ammonioussaccas Why don't you state what you disagree with first?

[@ammonioussaccas]

@@SelimxBradley The Manhattan Institute produces anti-Black American narratives to be used throughout political campaigns and the media. The CRT scare for example brought to you by Chris Rufee. John McWhorter is a pariah in his own community. One of many who choose a check to be a tool. No community is above critiques but he along with the rest of Manhattan Institute’s ilk are nothing more the well packaged targeted anti-Black American hate.

[@MoeJoe215]

I thought this was Terrence J daddy

[@5easy]

That's hilarious

[@hugo54758]

I don't like the racist understone of this. There's never a good reason to be proud of accomplishments of a racial group. This is divisive and baffling. If you care people who are oppressed in America talk about the native American people first.

[@IrresistibleWitch]

We are not listing to Native American music. Its Black American music, which is American music.