Ani DiFranco: Uncut Interview

[panglossFall]

Are you disapointed that Obama has resigned the Patriot Act, continued Gitmo, opened aditional facilities like Gitmo, expanded the war in Afghan and merely pretended that Iraq is better? He has also dropped bombs on Pakistan. Is this why you celebrated his election day??? He was a sham. He is brilliant speaker, but watch his ACTIONS.

[AnitaTaco]

Her wide eyes make me feel as though she is seeing something new with each blink. Her lyrics are so right on with me, always have been, not to mention her humble nature. She really is one of a kind.

[Megara]

I love her music, regardless of whether she was happy or angry that Obama became President. It's her music and her art that I love.

She's great <3

[candyvoicefiy]

It wanted to examine your way of life a little more . Thank you. God bless you.

[idkmybffjv]

Yo, Ani... isn't Obama a democran/republicrat?

[SangsungMeansToCome]

I wouldn't have tought that's she's so naive. She'll wake up soon enough.

She likens Obama to Santa Claus. One day she'll grow up and realizes he doesn't exist. And really is corporatism incarnate.

[dancewomyn1]

@SangsungMeansToCome ...I totally agree!!

[EstenRosavelt]

thats annoying to me... i voted for obama... but fuck everybody thinking everything is gonna be just so perfect because a black guy got elected... you guys are also looking at color... fuck that... obama isnt a black guy you douche fags, he is a guy... a person just like us, and just because hes black doesnt mean everything is gonna be different.... the pres. is a figure head, and even though Ani's music is awesome, shes an idiot

[TheAnneelise]

yeah, I hear you. I don't get the euphoria and I find it delusional.

[dancewomyn1]

@EstenRosavelt  Right On!!!

[munich64]

Funny....I don't actually find her older stuff to be as "whiny" as some people think. Imperfectly and Puddle dive are some of the most joyful albums ever.

[UnionMegan]

I love Ani, she inspires me almost everyday...Either old or new albums.  That shroud has been shed. Happiness is like fuel!

[ThumbprintTheatrics]

Ani is a fucking genius who deserves all the happiness in the world.

[spareaxe]

I didn't vote for him, it's not that exciting...he was a politician, turned president. Time will tell if he's able to make good on the country's laundry list.

[spooninspoon]

I think most people should aknowledge that racism is just a tool for the media to keep America "in check". The people who use race as an exuse for anything are the people who are living in there own ellusion and want nothing to do with PROGRESSION in todays' society. Yeah I said it, thats the truth. I think it's time we as AMERICANS should evolve Like President Obama says "we are all in this together"

[slowbaker]

Amen! One for all and all for one! (Whatever that means) Live and let live.

[munich64]

spooninspoon- what are you talking about? Are you trying to say that race doesn't exist in society or something, because that wouldn't make any sense.  You should be more specific.

[spooninspoon]

race shouldn't matter in society is what i'm saying... To tell you the truth right now as we speak race and society are ONE. The past is overwith. Anyone who is anyone is part of a race and right now almost everything serves as equal opportunity. We came a long way. So give credit to the HUMAN race. Racism has lost its muscle in America, an thats what will continue to happen,it's progress at it's finest. We all have equal opportunity, money is the think that seperates us now.

[munich64]

Money is of course the biggest thing that separates us, regardless of race. This is a capitalist society after all.

But it's not like racism doesn't exist anymore. Just because we have a black president in America doesn't change the daily inequalities and prejudices experience by many blacks. There's also a clear global hegemony that continue to determine foreign policy. How can we pretend that the G20 Summit and the IMF aren't racist?

[spooninspoon]

Well wouldn't it be safe to say that the people who consider themselves racists' are becoming the minority today? (well at least here in america). I like the idea that the majority of people in amercica can look past race, it's a step in the right direction for civil rights and for mankind. Racism still exists don't get me wrong. I just look at it as a fad going out of style .Anywho It's hard to believe the G20 summit is racist.Money,power and wealth is there "game" not race

[munich64]

There is a big difference between Personal racism, which may be going out of style, and Institutional racism, which shows few signs of waning. Polluting industries specifically target minority communities. An urban middle class black community is more likely to host a trash incinerator or coal refinery, than an urban poor white community. It just so happens that those countries with the most power in international bodies like the IMF or World Bank are white and former imperial powers.

[spooninspoon]

I know what you mean,yet at the same time Big Buisness steps into play to CREATE the "urban poor-white communitty". For Example I live in Buffalo (met up with Ani a few times,very friendly btw ). Anyhow My Father and maby thousand(s) of others people black, white etc. Worked at The Trico Plant,He was there about 20 years. What happend?, they ALL got laid- off. Big Buisness sent all there work to Mexico cause of dirt-cheap labor. Thus screwing all Race's. Point being: Money

[munich64]

Of course. It's all about money, you're absolutely right. But that's not what you started out saying.

Every time someone talks about racial disparities, they do not meant to deny the suffering of most whites. Whites and blacks will be able to come together and end their common oppression, but only if whites stop denying the existence of racism.

[spooninspoon]

Well. I know it still exists in the people who want it to exist. It shouldn't exist but it does, I mean how do you suppose we go about it?. How you gonna tell a Racist to stop hating someone because of there ethnicity. I'm not gonna call all my friends right now or people I work with and say "hey man sorry about racism in america and uh especially slavery" because the issue simply doesn't exist between me and them. It may still exist in big buisness and around you but what is there to do?

[yancybutler]

LOL, I remember Ani singing about that Trico Plant shutting down.

[spooninspoon]

Yup, 'Cradle and All' ... Ani's uncle ( can't remember his name) worked at the Trico plant with my father. Trico didn't shut down they just sold the work to Mexico cause the cost of labor was so much cheaper. Middle class gets screwed for living in its own country. The high class get rich from other countries

[glassjawx10]

Race shouldn't matter, but it does. A color-blind society sounds ideal, but we are HUMAN, and therefore we have the innate ability to distinguish differences. It's just biological. Now, the problem is the association of prejudgments based upon the differentiation. It's awesome that you have no racial bias, but the majority of America still does. Here in Michigan, there are still many cities where white people make it difficult for people of color to live. It's sucks, but it's reality.

[spooninspoon]

Yeah it does suck... I remember living in a apartment complex and my Landord (my ex-girlfriends father) told me once when there was a room for rent that if any black people wanted to look at an apartment that was for rent to "tell them that somebody died in the apartment".It was a lie as a way to stop them from wanting to move in. It bothered me, he was always an asshole,and his duaghter was always the same way a racist prissy bitch. Sorry to ramble,just giving an example

[tanzih]

shit...that's crazy :s. I don't get people who say there is no racism in America. Obviously not true.

[GenerationB0RED]

Interesting, though, that only white people say that (I say that as a white person myself). Some people are frighteningly self centered and don't see things unless it effects them directly.

[dancewomyn1]

@GenerationB0RED ...I'm a woman of color, and I completely agree with the previous comments..of course racism still exists! And yeah, what's with the euphoric Ani? Feel like I'm watching stepford wives!

[anagilmour]

LoL.... awesome Ani, you're just another whiny white kid with a guitar... But we'll never get over you!!! We love you! Right along side all those other great musicians of which you speak so highly of from New Orleans. Enjoy... Peace and high hope for American future! Cheers!  Happy New President Day!

[mindrunfree]

She's always remained true.

[82lyricalfairygrl]

Wow she's awesome! I'm so happy she's soo happy :)

[kosmicslop]

Thank you Ani for acknowledging the "whiny white kid" syndrome.

[rickydickypants]

oh ani. you're just brilliant. never change.

[Oshaunasy]

Love her!