An Apology to the "Dixie Chicks"

We offer this letter of apology without editorial comment.
Peace of Mind Be With You,
Euroswydd, Reiki Clown and Mort

An Apology to the “Dixie Chicks”
I seem compelled to be humbled on a disturbingly--at least to me—frequent but rarely silencing basis. My most recent humbling and realization of gross misappropriation of negative opinion resulted from stereotyping.
In similar fashion to every human being on this planet I am—in spite of awareness of the issue and determination to avoid the pitfalls—prone to built in stereotyping resulting from an array of different causes. Recognized impetus includes childhood trauma, familial convincing, media deluge, religious doctrine as well as victimization resulting from being blessed with a pair of X chromosomes at a time when women were just beginning to eke out some of those inalienable rights so taken for granted by their “other halves”.
The term “chick” unless referring to a fluffy, charmingly cute new member of the avian community determinedly following in mommy bird’s wake has always connoted the image of an overbearing, inevitably male persona referring to a woman. By no stretch of the imagination is there even a pretext of respect or equality conveyed by those employing this descriptive label. For many of us women born into the baby boomer generation the word “chick” either sends shivers up our spines or blood boiling to the outer regions of the skin—and I am not referring to hot flashes.
Suffice it to say that the term “dixie” instantaneously brings to mind images representative of the redneck/plantation mentality found in the South along with its various accoutrements. Not the least of these includes the Confederate flag, dragging of human beings behind pick-up trucks, the Ku Klux Klan, and thinking of women as material possessions, just to mention a few of the forms and means of heinous degradation employed.
Several years ago while scanning through TV channels I stopped to watch an interview of an unfamiliar group of musicians. Always interested in new groups I nevertheless hurriedly moved back to the channel selections upon realization of their group name, the “Dixie Chicks”. Ascribing my stereotyped connotations I couldn’t imagine anyone voluntarily choosing to represent themselves using those words being of interest to me. That snap judgment cost me years of musical enjoyment and the opportunity to be heartened by their life principles and strength of character they display in sticking to them. My humbling experience transpired as a consequence of the “Dixie Chicks” refusal to follow their brainwashed harassers’ example and submit to fear.
Becoming a fan necessitated their receiving death threats, among other unconscionable reactions, in response to voicing an opinion during a concert, a common practice among performers. With the release of their latest album and subsequent reiteration of their political views in various media genres I’ve realized they are people I want to support and so received a surprise. Delightfully neither their music nor their characters matched my preconceived negative notions.
Isn’t freedom of thought, speech and spiritual beliefs what we as a country should be cherishing instead of ostracizing? These three women are carrying on the tradition set by those founders of this country who thumbed their noses at the then issuer of policies promoting tyranny, bigotry and persecution.
They are peacefully continuing to publicly share their convictions without causing the death of thousands, inconvenience of millions and they’re providing entertainment to boot. Can our President say the same? His most outstanding features, selfishness, thoughtlessness, warped perspective, unwillingness to obey the law, willingness to sacrifice the masses to augment the wealth of the few, and proponent of hatred and bigotry emulates the actions and mindsets of the most feared fanatics of historical accountings.
Whether one agrees with the “Dixie Chicks” or not the sanctity to express their opinions without fear of reprisal must be preserved or the people of this country will be no better off than those of North Korea suffering under totalitarian rule. And important lessons won’t be available for those willing to admit and apologize for faulty assessments.