I realized that I really have no right to be mad at The Grammys.
Yeah, I was one of those salty folks on Twitter who took potshots at the awards ceremony this past Sunday. And yes, the Michael Jackson tribute seemed a little half-hearted; the Jamie Foxx/T-Pain performance was just shy of embarrassing; and India.Arie won an Urban/Alternative Grammy for a tired remake.
I gotta let all that go.
I’m reminded that the Grammys are “the music industry’s biggest night” and a time for the industry to celebrate itself. This was not the People’s Choice Awards. This was a night for the industry to honor those who kept it afloat and those who it expects will keep it afloat going forward.
It’s about celebrating those who can—and do—make money. We’ve got to remember that.
If we want to see more black rock or Afro-Punk artists taking home awards, then collectively, we’ve got to figure out a way to make all of this matter in the marketplace. Progressive culture and commerce. It can happen. As fans, we’re a big part of that equation. We’ve got to vote with our dollars and our attention for the things that matter to our community. We’ve got to use all the technology that’s at our disposal and to not only spread the word about the music, art, film, literature, etc. that we care about, but build a community that will support it economically. Technology makes it easy for almost everyone to have a voice, but it also makes us responsible for the direction the culture takes.
Believe me, this is only way that we will be able to change the culture and make that change permanent. When the corporations realize where the great mass of us is heading, where we’re gathering and where we’re spending our money, then they’ll have no choice by to follow.
We can do it.
