by Reza Corinne Clifton
aka Reza Rites / Venus Sings / DJ Reza Wreckage
Have you seen this video? What were your reactions, or what are they now?
PROVIDENCE, RI - On November 23, 2011,
Afro-Punk posted the video above, along with the
message: "LMAO! via Fishbone: The Roots perform Fishbone's "Lyin' Ass Bitch" welcoming Michele Bachmann on the Jimmy Fallon show." Afro-Punk is a project/website/movement that started when founders Matthew Morgan and James Spooner joined forces under a common understanding "that the indie rock/punk/hardcore scene had powerful appeal beyond the predictable Caucasian audience."
In response to The Roots' performance, writer Megan Carpentier wrote an
article for the
Women's Media Center, "Exclusive: Bachmann Reception on ‘Fallon’—Unfunny, Guys." In her piece - and in similar assessments left in comments - Carpentier asserts "...calling a guest—let alone a seated U.S. congresswoman who is one of a small number of Republican women to ever run for the Presidency—a “lying bitch” is both sexist and unfunny. It’s not even what one could legitimately call
“snark,” which is generally understood to mean a sarcastic comment or snide remark."
Comendably, she provides a list of other songs which the band could have considered, a feat I could not replicate in my response to her. Take a look at the video and Carpentier's article, then take a peek at my response below.
***
Thank you for this post. As a feminist and Black woman, I was very intrigued by the title and topic. Some thoughts:
I really appreciate the pro-active nature of this critique - specifically the inclusion of suggestions of other songs/bands to cover. But a very important element about your suggestions is that all of the bands/musicians you suggested are white/caucasian. I think that The Roots was very intentional, not just in the song choice, but in who they were covering - a black punk/funk band that exists both on the fringes of rock culture and the fringes of mainstream black culture.
Furthermore, I think that your article reinforces the constant need to examine privilege and openness in feminist circles, in this case in terms of art and popular culture. Especially with suggestions like Britney Spears and The Go-Go's, there seems to have been no consideration, when this list was compiled, of the band and genre that made The Roots famous - or influenced their work. And, historically frustrating, your list does not include music/songs done by Black Women.
Now keep in mind, I'm not being naive or overly optimistic either. Fishbone has a new album that is out now, or soon to be released, and they have a new documentary film that is currently being shown in different cities. Whether or not The Roots agreed to support Fishbone's projects, or just that the band is on their mind, it's fair to assume that Black Women engaged in similar projects have not gotten the same kind of attention that Fishbone has over the years.
Ultimately, I think their song choice helps to open the discussion about relations and tensions between political/progressive Black Men, political/progressive White Women, and political/progressive Women of Color. I thank The Roots and you, Megan Carpentier, for getting the discussion going.
***
About Reza Rites / Venus Sings / DJ Reza Wreckage
Reza Corinne Clifton is an award-winning writer, digital storyteller and cultural navigator whose work blends and examines words, music, art, identity and global consciousness. She has been recognized for multimedia projects that appear on her flagship blog, RezaRitesRi.com; for written work and editorial leadership at She Shines, a magazine published by YWCA Northern RI; and for leadership as a young professional and community organizer in Providence, Rhode Island. In 2011, Providence Monthly magazine named her “Most Musical” and GoLocalProv, an online magazine, called her a "Trender" - both due to her work sharing music and art in the community.
You can follow her on www.VenussSings.com, www.IsisStorm.com, Facebook, Twitter, and Reverbnation. Or you can find audio archives or samples of her work online at RezaRitesRi.com, SheShines.org, WRIU.org & BSRLive.com.
