This week the open threads will highlight six elements that illustrate country music's roots in African-American history. There is a total lack of black artists in country music today, except for Darius Rucker, Cowboy Troy, and Charley Pride. The truth is that the roots of American country run black, and the key artists that built country music couldn’t have done so … [Read more...] about Monday Open Thread: The Blackness of Country Music
Sunday Open Thread: Black Bluegrass Music
According to Paste Magazine, Black Americana is a term that most readily conjures imagery of slave-era memorabilia rather than a subsect of contemporary music. Conversely, “old-timey” is a catchall term that masks a history of blackface minstrelsy and certain appropriations of black vernacular culture. In truth, no matter who’s performing, Americana represents an original … [Read more...] about Sunday Open Thread: Black Bluegrass Music
Saturday Open Thread: African-American Generals
Vincent Keith Brooks (born October 24, 1958) is a United States Army general who is the current commander of United States Forces Korea, United Nations Command and ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command. He previously served as commanding general of the United States Army Pacific and before that as the commanding general of Third Army. Brooks was the United States Central … [Read more...] about Saturday Open Thread: African-American Generals
Thursday Open Thread: African-American Generals
General Edward A. Rice, Jr, USAF (born 1955) was the 30th Commander, Air Education and Training Command (AETC), Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. As commander, he was responsible for the recruiting, training and education of all US Airmen. His command included the Air Force Recruiting Service, two numbered air forces and Air University. Air Education and Training Command consists … [Read more...] about Thursday Open Thread: African-American Generals
Wednesday Open Thread: African-American Generals
Dennis L. Via (born c. 1958) is a former United States Army four-star general who last served as the 18th commanding general of the United States Army Materiel Command (AMC) from August 7, 2012 to September 30, 2016, which is headquartered at Redstone Arsenal, AL. He is the first Signal Corps Officer since General Henry H. Arnold to achieve four-star rank. He retired from the … [Read more...] about Wednesday Open Thread: African-American Generals