Why Is "Dixie" Offensive? Dixie Chicks Announce Band Name Change

Jun. 25 2020, Updated 4:58 p.m. ET Amid the ongoing discussion and cultural changes surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement, the Dixie Chicks have announced that they have changed the name of their band to simply The Chicks.

Dixie Chicks Announce They've Changed the Name of Their Band

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Jun. 25 2020, Updated 4:Fifty eight p.m. ET

Source: Getty

Amid the continuing discussion and cultural adjustments surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement, the Dixie Chicks have announced that they have modified the name in their band to simply The Chicks. 

“We wish to meet this second,” nation lady group posted on their website

Additionally, a consultant for the trio launched a observation (by the use of Variety), adding, “A trustworthy and heartfelt thanks goes out to ‘The Chicks’ of NZ for his or her gracious gesture in permitting us to percentage their name. We are honored to co-exist in combination on this planet with these exceptionally talented sisters. Chicks Rock! — Emily, Natalie and Martie.” 

Following the announcement that the ladies have made the verdict to rebrand, enthusiasts right away took to social media to proportion their reactions. 

Keep reading to find out more in regards to the reason to drop the "Dixie" from their name. 

Source: Getty

Why is the time period "Dixie" offensive?

With systematic racism being called into query in our society, Hollywood and the tune industry are also reflecting on how they attribute to the construction of "white privilege" in TV, motion pictures, and music. According to Variety guest columnist Jeremy Helligar, the term "Dixie" is a reference to the Mason-Dixon line, which separated loose states and slave states in America.

Therefore, Dixie is a reference to the culture of the South.

"Dixie" is also a music from the nineteenth century that used to be used among Confederate infantrymen as a form of anthem all the way through the Civil War. However, "Dixie" was once to begin with created within the North as a minstrel show — wherein White men get dressed in blackface, earlier than it become common amongst white Southerners. 

The track persevered to be an anthem for Southerners well into the 21st century, regardless of having racist underpinnings.

"The song is tangled up with the cultural revival of white supremacy in the 20th century. 'Dixie' was part of the score of Birth of a Nation, the movie that helped revive the Ku Klux Klan. It was embraced by the segregationist Dixiecrats in the 1940s. And in the 1950s, it was sung by white women protesting the integration of schools in Arkansas and elsewhere," Pulitzer Prize-winning creator Tony Horwitz advised NPR.

"Dixie" was even performed at the University of Mississippi throughout football video games up until 2016. 

However, the foundation of the band's name had not anything to do with the Civil War technology. In fact, the women are from Texas and got here up with the name in line with the Little Feat rock song “Dixie Chicken."

Fans react after the Dixie Chicks announce they're changing the band name.

After news broke, fans immediately took to social media to share their reactions. "I didn’t even know the dixie chicks were nonetheless round to need to turn out their wokeness. prob would had been better off going with an entirely new name, pretending they had been new and that they didn’t eff their careers with politics a while back," one "fan" tweeted.  

Source: Getty

This individual added, "The 'fanatics' which can be upset in regards to the name change have been never enthusiasts within the first place. Was time to get rid of the Dixie. And, they have been known as The Chicks by enthusiasts for YEARS anyway."

Another person posted, "I've and will at all times be partial to the Dixie Chicks. I am getting it, but for ME, it didn't really subject. The final thing I was thinking about is this team and their name. I am not or don't really feel any more secure as a Black lady within the South as a result of they changed their name. But I get it."

However, some people had an issue with the name change. "I hear the Dixie Chicks have changed their name to the Chicks as Dixie references the southern states throughout the civil conflict. How on earth do they suspect the Chicks is appropriate. Sounds sexist as hell," tweeted this person.

If you are looking for ways to donate your time or money to Black Lives Matter and other antiracist organizations, we have created a record of resources to get you began. 

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