The No Light, No Light Controversy

Dudes, that video definitely has, whether intentional or not, overt racist undertones. The argument that the guy’s skin is painted black as symbolism or to represent darkness would maybe POSSIBLY be SEMI-valid if not for the fact that this man is a) also practicing what is clearly meant to be “voodoo”, which is strongly associated with Africans, Black Creoles, and the Black people of the Caribbeans + b) the movements/dancing/whatever the fuck you want to call it is undeniably reminiscent of traditional African tribal dances. He is a loincloth and nose-piercing away from being the most offensive caricature I’ve seen in quite awhile. This without even yet having to mention that he is torturing and chasing our beaming white heroine who is eventually saved by a choir of lily white churchboys. Come the fuck on.

I don’t think Florence is racist. She is a woman who loves soul, respects Black artists, regularly cites them amongst her hugest influences, and one of the reasons I am so fond of her music is that it reminds me of the African-American choral standards I grew up with infused with booming rock backgrounds and a sweeping pop sensibility. Fans being hypersensitive, blindly defensive, and refusing to open discourse on the subject of this video just because they think the sun shines out of her ass and are willing to defend everything even associated with her hurts more than helps, as all you’re doing is making a divide and breeding resentment with people who are not too fucking STUPID to see how troubling and offensive this video is.

Posted 1 year ago & Filed under florence + the machine, florence and the machine, florence welch, no light no light, racism, 38 notes