Summary:
- Yon Winner has been removed from the board of directors of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame following controversial comments he made about black and female musicians.
- Winner's remarks were deemed racist and sexist by visitors to the Cleveland-based museum.
- Winner has since apologized for his comments.
Co-founder of Rolling Stone and the Rock Hall, Yon Winner, has been removed from the board of directors following controversial comments he made about the race and gender of some musicians. Winner's remarks, which were deemed racist and sexist by visitors to the Cleveland-based Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, have caused a firestorm of controversy.
Co-Founder of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Removed for Disparaging Comments about Black and Female Musicians
The co-founder of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Yon Winner, has been removed from the Board of Directors due to disparaging comments he made about black and female musicians. This comes as the Hall of Fame celebrates the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, a genre largely rooted in black culture. Visitors to the Cleveland-based Hall of Fame are expressing their displeasure with Winner's comments, which they consider to be racist and sexist.
Winner's Controversial Comments
In a New York Times article, Winner commented that black and female musicians were not as articulate as others he chose to profile in his upcoming book, The Masters. He said that he chose to do all seven of his interviews with white male musicians like Mick Jagger and Bob Dylan for "public relations' sake." He also stated that he could have included one black and one female musician who didn't measure up to the same historical standard to avert criticism.
Backlash and Apology
Winner immediately acknowledged that he would receive backlash for his comments and has since apologized. However, this was not enough to keep him on the board of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Judgment on Winner's Comments
Many visitors to the Hall of Fame, like Susan Sherrill of Columbiana, believe that there is no place in society for racist comments like Winner's. They emphasize that everyone should be allowed to talk and show what they can achieve without being marginalized based on their race or gender. Sherrill even went as far as to embrace diversity and different genres of music.
Conclusion
Yon Winner's controversial comments have cost him his position on the board of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. His comments about black and female musicians have been deemed racist and sexist, and visitors to the Hall of Fame are expressing their displeasure with him. While Winner has since apologized, the damage has already been done, and the Hall of Fame has taken action to distance itself from his comments.
Winner has since apologized for his comments.
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