John Coltrane's Tone Circle

Nothing upper-middle class people love more than worshiping dead black Americans, while treating their descendants like dangerous parasites. They were so cool, such genius! I can't wait to be the authority on them, and make more on redefining them than they ever saw in their lives, or to buy the new product that no black American makes a dime from.

One day, every black American will be gone, and all that will be left of them are statues that everybody holds in very high regard.

You ok man? Having a bad day?

GP is describing a well-known phenomenon that spans countries, cultures and history: majority culture having a love/hate relationship with minorities, with extraordinary individuals on one side and diffuse fear and hatred on the other. Go read Othello's speeches.

So I know what they're saying. Do you not?

Deification of artists in theory writing is commonplace, as is aspiring to be seen as an authority. The subject matter could have been Mozart, or Picasso — you'd see the same phenomena.

I agree that we have some distance to go in ensuring that wealth moves to the communities that created the art and the value, but absent evidence that this author has been "treating their descendants like dangerous parasites", I think they're catching strays from you.

Not every instance of white people liking or consuming black culture is that of a racist parasite trying to bleed the culture dry though. Sometimes white people just like stuff, and their interests overlap (as in this case with esotericism and music.) Culture works that way for everyone. The author doesn't seem to be trying to redefine anything or whitewash John Coltrane or what have you.

> Nothing upper-middle class people love more than worshiping dead black Americans, while treating their descendants like dangerous parasites.

I know, right? It's those Dutch folks living in Bulgaria hating black American descendants again, eh? /s

So, to be serious, do you have evidence that Roelant Hollanderr is treating black American descendants as "dangerous parasites"? Those are pretty hefty accusations. I haven't found anything on their website, but I am sure you have some solid evidence somewhere.

While the critique of this author seems unjustified, I think we do well to grapple with issues like this and not dismiss them outright. The problem is real, even if this may not be a good example.

Grapple with what, though? Abstract Whitey loves Coltrane and Satchmo and hates every Black person born since? It's not a coherent theory to begin with.

Also, if the current regime is in a position to fully eradicate all the blacks and browns, the statues will all be of Confederate generals and Trump family members, not black people.

Financial exploitation of oppressed culture by the dominant culture. Fetishization of minority figures as exotic and mystical. Crowding out minority voices when establishing critical narratives around minority art and culture.

These sorts of things happen in music industry, music criticism and music journalism. As I said, I don't think this is a good example, but as someone who has benefited greatly from Black American culture, I see bearing these issues in mind as one way to pay back my benefactors.

Not to detract from your point but he's been back in NL for a while I believe.

Contrived projection. Find me a jazz obsessive who "treats blacks like parasites".

Good point, he does say he moved back in 2020 and I missed that.

You obviously have absolutely no idea what you are talking about when it comes to music.

Coltrane is so respected because he use to fall asleep with his saxophone in his mouth because that is the level he would practice.

He represents the ultimate dedication to mastering an instrument.

You should really try making some friends with black people that like jazz so you can understand what a clueless thought this is.