A question for AA DUers- is this a nice tribute to MLK or oblivious cultural appropriation?

[friendly_iconoclast]

It struck me as somewhat...off..., for lack of a better term- but I'm an older white guy
and realized that my viewpoint may be somewhat blinkered

(also posted in GD)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026066232

I'm sure the Halalisa Singers are all good liberals that mean well

There's just one thing about them that struck me, and it's...well, you'll see:

http://www.halalisa.org/concerts-tickets.html

The Halalisa Singers present:
“I Dream A World: Songs of Hope and Justice”
Mary Cunningham, Artistic Director
Trevor Berens, piano
Bertram Lehmann, percussion

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Halalisa Singers present a program of folk and world music celebrating the legacy of the great civil rights leader.
The 34-member Lexington-based ensemble will sing songs from around the world reflecting themes from MLK’s life and work.
“This is music that emerged from unjust circumstances when people found their voices and raised them in song to inspire hope and promote change,” says Artistic Director Mary Cunningham.

The program features songs U2’s “MLK” and Jason Shelton’s bluesy “King for a Day,” written specifically to honor Dr. King anti-apartheid songs in the South African languages Xhosa and Zulu;
Andre Thomas’ setting of Langston Hughes’ “I Dream a World,” dedicated to victims of the September 11 attacks; and “I Am Willing,” sung at a 2006 White House rally to protest the invasion of Iraq.

The concerts will also honor the late folk legend and activist Pete Seeger with “Guantanamera,” a Jose Marti poem reflecting the perspective of a Cuban revolutionary from the late 1800’s that Seeger adapted for the peace movement, and the poignant “To My Old Brown Earth.”

Also on the program are songs from “Ragtime,” Sweet Honey in the Rock’s tribute to the women of South Africa “We Are the Ones,”
and “Hope for Resolution,” a piece that juxtaposes a European chant melody with an anti-apartheid song from South Africa.
A traditional Yiddish folk song, spirituals, a Maori-inspired song from New Zealand, and the rousing jazz-infused gospel piece “Freedom Train” round out the performance.

http://www.halalisa.org/about.html

The Halalisa Singers are dedicated to the performance of music across all cultures and nationalities.
Halalisa is a Zulu word for “celebration,” and in that spirit, the Halalisa repertoire includes African, Latin, American Spiritual, Gospel, Jewish, Folk, and Jazz music.
A diverse group of thirty men and women, the Halalisa Singers are inspired by the belief that music is a universal language with the power to uplift and unite us all.
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Mary Cunningham, this Lexington-based vocal ensemble is now in its twentieth year offering performances in the Boston area.

Yeah, about that 'diversity':

[Nye Bevan]

1. I would suggest judging these good folks by the content of their character,

as opposed to the color of their skin.

[JustAnotherGen]

3. Thanks . . .

For the suggestion.

[heaven05]

2. at least they are trying

I respect their effort and character content.

[JustAnotherGen]

4. Because someone kind of assumed

We couldn't without putting himself right in the middle of a post that was not even addressed to him.

Admit it heaven - you are only doing it because 'him' said so!

[JI7]

5. yup

the fact that nobody had complained about this group through the years means nothing.

but there is a reason people want to act like complaints about people like iggy azalea is just about a white person doing rap.

[Blue_Tires]

6. I see nothing wrong with it personally

Power of music, and all that...What I'm wary of is once you start in the direction of the "white people shouldn't sing black music" -road, then the inverse becomes legitimized, and people will start to question all-black operas and philharmonic orchestras...

I remember enjoying some old youtube clips of a white "Black Gospel" choir up in Canada...I'll try to dig them up if I can...

[Nye Bevan]

7. +1 (nt)