Easy enough to remember, as Jean helpfully turned the sentiment into a gorgeous tattoo:

Ani is not cancelling because it was an effed up idea in the first place, but because people are now arguing about it in a way she doesn’t like. In an act of no small self-sacrifice, she is cancelling only to “restore peace and respectful discourse”.

The implication here is that had all the same information been brought to her attention minus the heated debates and and internet swipes, she would have gone ahead with what would have been a wonderful event. Although clearly not her intention, Ani here actually makes a case for the necessity of so-called “divisive words”

Hammell on Trial seems to have kept mum on this controversy so far

Emi Koyama writes of this section:

The existence of Roots of Music is transcendent, but transcendence does not rub off on folks paying $1000-4000 each to hang out with Ani and her friends. Youth of color (who I imagine to be mostly Black youth) do not exist to inspire (who I imagine to be) rich white folks, and that the organization might gain “a few new supporters” does not exonerate the poverty tourism. Worse, it appears that Ani is comparing her retreat being held at an actively white supremacist institution to the resilience of Black people building and strengthening their own communities after centuries of violence and oppression.

The rest of her post is really good too

Gradient Lair predicted this “poor me/those mean Black women” angle before Ani’s statement was released

Invite to this “Righteous Retreat” here. Some of how it was described:

We will be shacked up at the historic Nottoway Plantation and Resort in White Castle, LA, for 3 days and 4 nights exchanging ideas, making music, and otherwise getting suntans in the light of each other’s company. During the day, myself, Toshi Reagon, Buddy Wakefield, Hamell on Trial and others will lead workshops and lessons that focus on developing one’s singular creativity. In the evenings we will perform for each other and enjoy great food in a captivating setting…Bring your guitar, your journal, your kazoo or just your curiosity and come join us for some mind expanding fun! We have room in the circle for everyone.

Except those who cannot afford the $1099 and up entrance fee.

Note the lack of any discussion of the location beyond that it is “historic”, “captivating” and a good place to get a tan

Did she think:

…Or was is more like:

Slavery, man

And now no building can be done with Roots of Music if Nottoway is off the table?

Buddy posted his own hyper-defensive and dismissive statement on Facebook before Ani’s came out:

Howdy shitstorm e'erybody! As a Righteous Babe who was naively excited to participate in this event I’m not necessarily able to make a comprehensive public statement today due to spinning full plates and a cruddy case of the crud. Until I or Ani or Toshi or anyone else are able to respond from our personal perspectives on the blunder, I think it’d be most productive for y'all to continue assuming the absolute worst, don’t you dare ask thoughtful questions as to how this really went down, venomously insult Ani and her years of efforts, then write as many demolishing statements and articles as possible in an effort to eternally shackle her to this oversight. If forgiveness is off the menu, consider compassion and the possibility of extenuating circumstances before discounting 20+ years of sincere activism. I think it’s pretty safe to say all the artists involved are amply bummed about the situation, and that your hateful approaches/vitriolic statements/narrow understanding of how things transpired have safely arrived to our inboxes. I happen to know that given all the facts I/we were otherwise not privy to, Ani is cancelling. You can all go feed on someone else’s mistakes very soon."

A few days of criticism is apparently tantamount to “eternal shackl[ing]”. Cool metaphor there, too

Not the first time Grae has lyrically referenced The Last Dragon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WSuhvTozLc