# Black are better at music—Or fuck you Diogenes the Cynic **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 29, 2008, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-are-better-at-music-or-fuck-you-diogenes-the-cynic/447311 "2008-04-29T03:00:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Nancarrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c37758/32.png) [@Nancarrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nancarrow)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-are-better-at-music-or-fuck-you-diogenes-the-cynic/447311/201 "2008-04-29T22:05:30Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] White European classical music was sterile and mathematic and rigid. Black folks had to show them how to incorporate blue notes and more relaxed rhythms and whatnot. [/QUOTE] If what you _actually_ want to say is, you prefer jazz to classical music, then say that. Usually my preference is the other way round, but sometimes I like to put on some Mingus. Or for that matter, some electronica. But what you said, that bit I quoted, is gigantically stupid. I hope it was tongue-in-cheek. ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-are-better-at-music-or-fuck-you-diogenes-the-cynic/447311/202 "2008-04-29T22:07:32Z")
[QUOTE=ArizonaTeach] What, because she’s black, she’s a better athlete? Is that what you’re saying? [/QUOTE] no…that’s not what I’m saying at all mister… ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-are-better-at-music-or-fuck-you-diogenes-the-cynic/447311/203 "2008-04-29T22:09:14Z")
[QUOTE=Two and a Half Inches of Fun] > [@](#): > > Once I got pitted, I found the pile on and the charge that I was a racist so hard to take seriously that I think I did have a bit of my tongue in my cheek while I was defending my position. I still can’t believe anyone really thinks I’m a racist. If true, this is an admission of textbook trolling. [/QUOTE] Come **2.5**! He’s one of those cute socks with the individual toes. ---
**Author:** ![buttonjockey308](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@buttonjockey308](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buttonjockey308)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-are-better-at-music-or-fuck-you-diogenes-the-cynic/447311/204 "2008-04-29T23:00:55Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] Threads like this make me understand why people hate liberals. [/QUOTE] It’s also a small example of what’s wrong with the Democrats right now. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-are-better-at-music-or-fuck-you-diogenes-the-cynic/447311/205 "2008-04-29T23:05:49Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] Threads like this make me understand why people hate liberals. [/QUOTE] Ah, the need to feel persecuted, that you are fond of accusing conservatives of. There are plenty of liberals on this board who never get pitted for their ideas. And then there is you, who find yourself pitted rather frequently. And it’s generally for promoting a very anti-liberal stance. In this case, the idea that some cultures are better than others or that some music is better than other music. Anyway, I’m done with this subject. I’ve led the horse to water, so I’ve done as much as can be done. ---
**Author:** ![rayh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@rayh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rayh)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-are-better-at-music-or-fuck-you-diogenes-the-cynic/447311/206 "2008-04-29T23:06:56Z")
[QUOTE=Argent Towers] If I were going to take this tack of trying to prove that “white men can jump too” the first name I’d mention is Jaco Pastorius. [/QUOTE] Michael Jackson. ---
**Author:** ![phungi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phungi/32/395_2.png) [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-are-better-at-music-or-fuck-you-diogenes-the-cynic/447311/207 "2008-04-30T01:25:08Z")
I just read all 5 pages, and not only consider myself enlightened, but side with Dio. There **has to be** a genetic component that is stronger anthropologically than it is familial. In support of this, I offer the following: The Jackson Five vs. The Osmonds vs. The Partridge Family 'nuf said, and let’s not even get _started_ talking about the Brady family. ---
**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-are-better-at-music-or-fuck-you-diogenes-the-cynic/447311/208 "2008-04-30T01:37:17Z")
Of course. Whatsoever one particular black band happens to possess which a few particular white bands lack must have a genetic component, corresponding to the racial difference. (Yes, I know you’re mostly joking, but this is about the level of the argument so far.) ---
**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-are-better-at-music-or-fuck-you-diogenes-the-cynic/447311/209 "2008-04-30T01:38:32Z")
For what it’s worth, if nothing else this thread has brought up some musical names I will be checking out in the future. It was hard to hear them over the sounds of backpeddling, but I managed. ---
**Author:** ![pantom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/34f0e0/32.png) [@pantom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pantom)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-are-better-at-music-or-fuck-you-diogenes-the-cynic/447311/210 "2008-04-30T01:39:23Z")
**Dio** got it in one when he figured out that this may be why some people hate liberals. **you with the face** proved the proposition. The statement was racist. The poster, kind of, but nothing unusual; just the usual silliness. For future ref, **Dio** , it’s a class thing. The cultural stuff you think you see? Just normal people trying to adapt to a hostile environment. Has squat to do with culture, and everything to do with trying to make it when everything and everyone is against you. It’s why the Swiss are known for being uncreative, 'cause, like, who hates the Swiss? (Of course, there is the clockworks and the chocolate and the finance, but what’s so creative about that???) Figure that out, and the rest falls into place. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-are-better-at-music-or-fuck-you-diogenes-the-cynic/447311/211 "2008-04-30T01:48:08Z")
Fuck off, it wasn’t racist. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-are-better-at-music-or-fuck-you-diogenes-the-cynic/447311/212 "2008-04-30T01:54:32Z")
[QUOTE=phungi] 'nuf said, and let’s not even get _started_ talking about the Brady family. [/QUOTE] Excuse ME–they were the Silver Platters and they so rocked da house! Hmmph. You dissed my cultural heritage. Where is the outrage, people? Oh, the humanity! ---
**Author:** ![pantom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/34f0e0/32.png) [@pantom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pantom)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-are-better-at-music-or-fuck-you-diogenes-the-cynic/447311/213 "2008-04-30T02:04:44Z")
Fine. Go to hell. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-are-better-at-music-or-fuck-you-diogenes-the-cynic/447311/214 "2008-04-30T02:20:33Z")
[QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] Fuck off, it wasn’t racist. [/QUOTE] Bravo, sir! This performance art bit has been magnificent. But, ha ha, it’s time to be serious and tell us this is all a joke. Any time now. ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-are-better-at-music-or-fuck-you-diogenes-the-cynic/447311/215 "2008-04-30T02:27:56Z")
But we’re not on page six yet. Can I at least win the pool first? ---
**Author:** ![pantom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/34f0e0/32.png) [@pantom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pantom)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-are-better-at-music-or-fuck-you-diogenes-the-cynic/447311/216 "2008-04-30T02:30:07Z")
Forget it, **Rick Jay**. This is the quintessence of the Patronizing White Liberal. I’ve forgotten, because it’s been so many years since one dared to show up in so obvious a form, just how stupid these creatures are. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-are-better-at-music-or-fuck-you-diogenes-the-cynic/447311/217 "2008-04-30T02:36:16Z")
[QUOTE=pantom] Forget it, **Rick Jay**. This is the quintessence of the Patronizing White Liberal. I’ve forgotten, because it’s been so many years since one dared to show up in so obvious a form, just how stupid these creatures are. [/QUOTE] What are you talking about, asshole. I’m the one getting pitted by a bunch of patronizing, grandstanding liberals. I think you’ve succeeded in impressing everybody with how offended and sensitive you are. You may fuck off back to watching Oprah now. ---
**Author:** ![Paladud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Paladud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paladud)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-are-better-at-music-or-fuck-you-diogenes-the-cynic/447311/218 "2008-04-30T02:41:38Z")
Can’t we all just get along and listen to [this](http://youtube.com/watch?v=oqSulR9Fymg)? ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-are-better-at-music-or-fuck-you-diogenes-the-cynic/447311/219 "2008-04-30T02:42:22Z")
> [@](#): > > Irving Berlin played some mean jug music. He had to be naturalized first. He was born in Russia. For **Diogenes** : So the cultures of blacks and whites have been separate in the field of music, **Dtc**? They didn’t hear each other play? Was that true for Jimi Hendrix? Was his style culturally developed from just from black styles of playing the guitar? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2008, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-are-better-at-music-or-fuck-you-diogenes-the-cynic/447311/220 "2008-04-30T02:44:32Z")
[QUOTE=Zoe] He had to be naturalized first. He was born in Russia. For **Diogenes** : So the cultures of blacks and whites have been separate in the field of music, **Dtc**? They didn’t hear each other play? Was that true for Jimi Hendrix? Was his style culturally developed from just from black styles of playing the guitar? [/QUOTE] When did I say they didn’t influence each other? I’m not saying Hendrix wasn’t influenced by white guitarists, I’m just saying he was _better_ than they were. ETA, his cultural musical roots were steeped in black music, though, in case there’s any doubt. He was mainly influenced by black blues musicians and he cut his teeth on what was called the “Chitlin’ Circuit,” opening for the likes of Little Richard. He liked some white musicians, but they influenced his lyrics more than his music. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-are-better-at-music-or-fuck-you-diogenes-the-cynic/447311.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-are-better-at-music-or-fuck-you-diogenes-the-cynic/447311.md?page=12)