In a latest dialog with 93.5 The Seashore, Sevendust frontman Lajon Witherspoon, who has been a central determine within the rock and metallic scene for practically three many years, opened up about his experiences with racism within the music trade.
When requested about encountering racism throughout his profession, Lajon shared a specific incident from a tour with Slipknot. He recalled (as transcribed by Blabbermouth): “Not lots, however yeah, on the Slipknot tour, one time we have been someplace, there have been some racist youngsters on the market and so they have been throwing up ‘Heil Hitler’ indicators. And I laughed at ’em and I stated, ‘You youngsters do not even know what which means,’ that they have been doing it. However fortunately, we received by way of that.”
Regardless of this disturbing second, Witherspoon emphasised that he and his band have constantly rejected division and negativity. “And I believe we made a degree to let everybody know that we weren’t concerning the racism and the negativity, even nonetheless to today. We do not wanna be divided then and we nonetheless do not wanna be divided now. However I really feel like our neighborhood and the music trade that we’re in… all of us come collectively. There was no room for ignorance then and there is no room for ignorance now. So we’ll simply maintain that going.”
Lajon‘s dedication to fostering inclusivity in metallic extends past simply addressing moments of racism. In a separate interview with Full Steel Jackie again in 2020, he mirrored on the significance of utilizing his platform to encourage change. “I believe at this time we undoubtedly can see that there is been an absence of equality on this world that is being put within the forefront. Fortunately, within the trade that I am in, within the metallic neighborhood, I really feel like that is undoubtedly one thing that is not tolerated, I wish to say, so far as I’ve seen. I really feel like this neighborhood is extremely welcoming, and I have been very blessed to be in it.”
Acknowledging that there are nonetheless people “hiding behind masks which might be racist,” Lajon firmly acknowledged his function in advocating for peace, love, and equality: “If there’s something that I can do, I’ll by no means not be a pacesetter in bringing peace, love, and equality to this trade and to what I do. I can say love sees no coloration, however I do — I consider that individuals do see coloration, clearly. However I nonetheless need to convey everybody collectively and have it not be an issue. I really feel like in our neighborhood, there’s not solely black — there’s white, there’s Asian, there’s all people — and that is what this world ought to be like. We should always undoubtedly get to that web page and the purpose, once more, to the place we do not have that drawback. I pray that we get there.”
Witherspoon believes that music has the facility to unite folks from all backgrounds, and Sevendust‘s numerous lineup is a testomony to that: “Individuals see us, and so they see a bunch of various guys from completely different backgrounds and completely different ethnicities. It is one thing that we have accomplished for 20-something years now — we have not stopped — and I hope that is one thing that individuals will perceive and see and be taught from.”
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