--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I grew up in a largely black community…" description: "\"I grew up in a largely black community during the '70s and '80s that scoffed at 'white' music. That music - folk, rock, some disco - was considered sou..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/124/hilton-als-7671_adolescence_i-grew-up-in-a-largely-black-community-d_1849591.jpg" --- # I grew up in a largely black community during the '70s and… ![“I grew up in a largely black community during the '70s and '80s that scoffed at 'white' music. That music - folk, rock, some disco - was considered soulless, aberrant, just one more example of the Caucasian's desire to scream and yell and demand whatever their privilege and perpetual adolescence…” quote by Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/124/hilton-als-7671_adolescence_i-grew-up-in-a-largely-black-community-d_1849591.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/124/hilton-als-7671_adolescence_i-grew-up-in-a-largely-black-community-d_1849591.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/124/hilton-als-7671_adolescence_i-grew-up-in-a-largely-black-community-d_1849591.jpg) > “I grew up in a largely black community during the '70s and '80s that scoffed at 'white' music. That music - folk, rock, some disco - was considered soulless, aberrant, just one more example of the Caucasian's desire to scream and yell and demand whatever their privilege and perpetual adolescence dictated they should demand.” [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Growing up Black in the 70s‑80s, the narrator saw white‑origin music as dismissed and seen as a privileged, noisy expression. **In simple terms:** Black youth rejected white music as privileged and noisy. Key Takeaway Recognize cultural bias in music preferences. Themes culture identity music race privilege Mood reflective critical Type observational analytical When to use this quote - community gatherings - radio playlists - personal identity formation - cross‑cultural dialogue Key Concepts cultural appropriation social dynamics musical taste Questions to Reflect On - How do you define “authentic” music? - What role does privilege play in artistic value? A Different Perspective Not all white music is soulless; many Black artists embraced it. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adolescence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adolescence/) [Black community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-community/) [Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/community/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) ## Related quotes > [One of my problems is I'm not really sure if I slot into rock or not. I've always tried to combine world music, folk,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-winwood/one-of-my-problems-is-i-m-not-really-sure-if-i-slot-into-rock-or-not/) [Steve Winwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-winwood/) > [It's so easy for anyone to deal with their own guilt of being a middle-class white music fan by pointing to other people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-koenig/it-s-so-easy-for-anyone-to-deal-with-their-own-guilt-of-being-a/) [Ezra Koenig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-koenig/) > [I mean, I hate to say it, but I listen to Journey and think, 'Jesus Christ, that is just wrong.' That's why there will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waite/i-mean-i-hate-to-say-it-but-i-listen-to-journey-and-think-jesus/) [John Waite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waite/) > [I was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and am a product of a family that were jazz aficionados and also very interested in progressive politics.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-waters/i-was-born-in-philadelphia-pennsylvania-and-am-a-product-of-a-family/) Jack Waters > [I don't listen to a lot of new stuff. I just like the old stuff. It's all quite dramatic and atmospheric. You'd have an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-winehouse/i-don-t-listen-to-a-lot-of-new-stuff-i-just-like-the-old-stuff-it-s/) [Amy Winehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-winehouse/) > [People sing each other's songs and they cultivate standards. That's the reason why we have folk music and folk stories. History is told through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandi-carlile/people-sing-each-other-s-songs-and-they-cultivate-standards-that-s/) [Brandi Carlile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandi-carlile/) > [I would never try and play like Harry James, because I don't like his tone - for me. It's just white. You know what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miles-davis/i-would-never-try-and-play-like-harry-james-because-i-don-t-like-his/) [Miles Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miles-davis/) > [“I don't do 'black music,' I don't do 'white music'...I make fight music, for high school kids.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eminem/i-don-t-do-black-music-i-don-t-do-white-music-i-make-fight-music-for/) [Eminem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eminem/) > [The Band is probably the ultimate example of people taking all kinds of music, from gospel to blues to mountain music to folk music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robbie-robertson/the-band-is-probably-the-ultimate-example-of-people-taking-all-kinds/) [Robbie Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robbie-robertson/) > [The white music was melodic and pretty, and you had beautiful women's voices like Gogi Grant and even the Andrews Sisters. Then I went…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-baez/the-white-music-was-melodic-and-pretty-and-you-had-beautiful-women-s/) [Joan Baez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-baez/) > [This is something I think that blues music, or folk music, and all those particular genres that have a perspective about life deal with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-osborne/this-is-something-i-think-that-blues-music-or-folk-music-and-all/) [Joan Osborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-osborne/) > [All music is folk music. I ain't never heard a horse sing a song.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-armstrong/all-music-is-folk-music-i-ain-t-never-heard-a-horse-sing-a-song/) [Louis Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-armstrong/) > [There was no match for Barry White. His music is just going to live forever. It's not limited to disco or soul or hip-hop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-cornelius/there-was-no-match-for-barry-white-his-music-is-just-going-to-live/) [Don Cornelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-cornelius/) > [Mozart's music is particularly difficult to perform. His admirable clarity exacts absolute cleanness: the slightest mistake in it stands out like black on white.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-faure/mozart-s-music-is-particularly-difficult-to-perform-his-admirable/) Gabriel Faure > [Music is in Mississippi's DNA, whether it's the blues, country music, folk, or rock 'n' roll. It's not just a source of cultural pride,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-hyde-smith/music-is-in-mississippi-s-dna-whether-it-s-the-blues-country-music/) [Cindy Hyde-Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-hyde-smith/) ## More by Hilton Als > [Challenging is good, like good conversation, yes? Who wants to have dinner with the same old easy listening music sounding friends all the time?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/challenging-is-good-like-good-conversation-yes-who-wants-to-have/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [I think someone like Khandi Alexander, who's now on 'Treme,' is one of the most extraordinary actresses I've seen in years. But she's dependent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/i-think-someone-like-khandi-alexander-who-s-now-on-treme-is-one-of/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [I have not seen 'The Lion King.' I don't do black folklore. And I'm black.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/i-have-not-seen-the-lion-king-i-don-t-do-black-folklore-and-i-m-black/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [I think you're not really teaching anyone unless you're learning yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/i-think-you-re-not-really-teaching-anyone-unless-you-re-learning/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [I used to always love taking photos, but I would always give a camera away to someone else. Now I don't give the camera…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/i-used-to-always-love-taking-photos-but-i-would-always-give-a-camera/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [If I feel like I haven't really tapped into the essence of the story when I do an assignment, I may revisit it on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/if-i-feel-like-i-haven-t-really-tapped-into-the-essence-of-the-story/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [Inspiration takes many forms, but it's rarely pure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/inspiration-takes-many-forms-but-it-s-rarely-pure/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [Great sadness can be off putting, hard to comprehend, especially if it hasn't been your experience. It's amazing for me to know now that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/great-sadness-can-be-off-putting-hard-to-comprehend-especially-if-it/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [I think that Tyler Perry's genius really has been to tap into the domestic market. He knows what his audience is based on, having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/i-think-that-tyler-perry-s-genius-really-has-been-to-tap-into-the/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [I love Andre Leon Talley as a person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/i-love-andre-leon-talley-as-a-person/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [I thought of the structure as musical. The first piece, for instance, contains the names/subject matter of every person to come in the book.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/i-thought-of-the-structure-as-musical-the-first-piece-for-instance/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [People have a copyright on their own life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/people-have-a-copyright-on-their-own-life/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [People are quick to make monuments of anything they live long enough to control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/people-are-quick-to-make-monuments-of-anything-they-live-long-enough/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [Racism seduces us with its desire to categorize, shutting out the living and breathing and 'different' world all around us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/racism-seduces-us-with-its-desire-to-categorize-shutting-out-the/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) > [I was so well loved by my mother that if people have any expectations of me I really don't notice because I'm hardest on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/i-was-so-well-loved-by-my-mother-that-if-people-have-any-expectations/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) [Explore all 88 Hilton Als quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) ## More Adolescence quotes > [They must move from a psychological state of victimization to a psychological state of accepting responsibility. The Palestinians must leave behind their revolutionary adolescence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-shavit/they-must-move-from-a-psychological-state-of-victimization-to-a/) [Ari Shavit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-shavit/) > [Having children truly ends adolescence. We are all either parents or children: responsibility-takers or those who demand from others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-shapiro/having-children-truly-ends-adolescence-we-are-all-either-parents-or/) [Ben Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-shapiro/) > [Teenage girls are extremists who see the world in black-and- white terms, missing shades of gray. Life is either marvelous or notworth living. School…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-pipher/teenage-girls-are-extremists-who-see-the-world-in-black-and-white/) [Mary Pipher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-pipher/) > [Teenagers complain there's nothing to do, then stay out all night doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-phillips/teenagers-complain-there-s-nothing-to-do-then-stay-out-all-night/) [Bob Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-phillips/) > [The idols of one's adolescence tend to endure - you never forget how you worshipped them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-ivins/the-idols-of-one-s-adolescence-tend-to-endure-you-never-forget-how/) [Molly Ivins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-ivins/) > [Being an adult is the ability to postpone a want for the sake of a family need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hogan/being-an-adult-is-the-ability-to-postpone-a-want-for-the-sake-of-a/) [Chris Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hogan/) > [The donning of the ear buds marks the beginning of teen life, when children set off on their own for the passage through adolescence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amity-shlaes/the-donning-of-the-ear-buds-marks-the-beginning-of-teen-life-when/) [Amity Shlaes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amity-shlaes/) > [Adolescence is when the very worst and best impulses in the human soul struggle against each other for possession.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-stanley-hall/adolescence-is-when-the-very-worst-and-best-impulses-in-the-human/) [G. Stanley Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-stanley-hall/) > [Most adults would not dream of belittling, humiliating, or bullying (verbally or physically) another adult. But many of the same adults think nothing of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-steinberg/most-adults-would-not-dream-of-belittling-humiliating-or-bullying/) [Laurence Steinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-steinberg/) > [If you can't count, they can cheat you. If you can't read, they can beat you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-morrison/if-you-can-t-count-they-can-cheat-you-if-you-can-t-read-they-can-beat/) [Toni Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-morrison/) > [“He'd possessed all the key elements of a school shooter: hormones, misery, ammunition. People wondered how something like Columbine could happen. Jude wondered why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-hill/he-d-possessed-all-the-key-elements-of-a-school-shooter-hormones/) [Joe Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-hill/) > [ I remember realizing, when I did Little Women \[1994\], that that was the only time girls that age were being written about. It was… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winona-ryder/i-remember-realizing-when-i-did-little-women-1994-that-that-was-the/) [Winona Ryder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winona-ryder/) > [Content without style is propaganda or adolescence. Style without content is decadence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-mae-brown/content-without-style-is-propaganda-or-adolescence-style-without/) [Rita Mae Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-mae-brown/) > [Adolescence is interesting. I mean, all of life is interesting and all of life is transitionary. But I think there is an exponential growth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-henson/adolescence-is-interesting-i-mean-all-of-life-is-interesting-and-all/) [Bill Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-henson/) > [“Yet GenX'er teens didn't slow down--they were just as likely to drive, drink alcohol, and date as their Boomer peers and more likely to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-m-twenge/yet-genx-er-teens-didn-t-slow-down-they-were-just-as-likely-to-drive/) [Jean M. Twenge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-m-twenge/) [Browse all 787 Adolescence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adolescence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I grew up in a largely black community during the '70s and '80s that scoffed at 'white' music. 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