andygchicago t1_j00qiuz wrote on December 13, 2022 at 6:03 AM

Reply to comment by quitofilms in Punk band Slaves changes name to Soft Play | news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site by quitofilms

That’s totally fine, I get it, but highlighting a ridiculous statement like “only African Americans are allowed to used slaves” when slavery has impacted numerous cultures and races recently is absolutely, mind boggingly stupid. Maybe even a little offensive considering Australia’s history with slavery was primarily involving Aboriginal people

But also they’ve pretty much disqualified from calling themselves punk if they are seriously concerned about commercial issues

BristolShambler t1_j01523o wrote on December 13, 2022 at 9:11 AM

It’s literally a comment from some random on Facebook. It only has as much weight as we grant to it.

andygchicago t1_j01aq61 wrote on December 13, 2022 at 10:31 AM

As THEY granted to it is what I’m discussing. They highlighted it and changed their name, citing it. All I’m doing is calling them out

[deleted] t1_j00ycu5 wrote on December 13, 2022 at 7:39 AM

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UltimateThrowawayNam t1_j01zkn9 wrote on December 13, 2022 at 2:34 PM

They could sincerely decide that isn’t a name they want for themselves. I mean, if they sincerely didn’t want that name but kept being called “slaves” to appeal to people then that would also be about commercialism. I don’t get the impression this is about selling more records. But maybe you have more direct insight into the band than I do.

I also think that FB comment is ridiculous but if it moved them to change their name sincerely then I would think that is “punk”. I also doubt that comment was the only thing that convinced them to reflect and change. It’s just one they felt worth sharing.

andygchicago t1_j04tg2t wrote on December 14, 2022 at 1:53 AM

But by highlighting a comment that says that only African-Americans can use the word slave, that’s erasure of the slavery the indigenous people of their home country endured. You don’t find that problematic?

UltimateThrowawayNam t1_j06btky wrote on December 14, 2022 at 11:35 AM

As I said, I thought that particular highlight was stupid and agree with you there. My main point was about how I don’t think this was a change based on commercialism and the band retains whatever “punk” status exists. And now with your new reply you ask about something else, an idea that I had addressed above. And at this point they’ve both seemed to have reached their conclusion.