Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
You will definetly be more welcomed than a white person at a mostly black event.
Whoooooeeee! I have said some pretty obnoxious things on this board but I have never fomented any stereotypes. This is about the worst generalization about black people I have ever seen on this board. Old Bob Noxious is an open minded gringo. I once went to a Louis Farakhan rally at Tennessee State U. back in the early 90s and NOBODY made me feel unwelcome. I did get a pretty thorough frisking before I went in but so did all the black people. The best thing about a L.F. rally is the bean pies. Maybe a few of those folks didn't like me, after all I am a redhaired blue-eyed Aryan devil, but they had the restraint and composure enough not to show it.
I go to a black barbershop and sometimes go to black churches. Usually I am the only white person there. Nobody cares! Sometimes for fun I have the barber shave a part on the side of my head and that gets a laugh but still...nobody cares
It sounds like you have that old-timey, white folk, fear of black folk.
please......you gotta let go of that fear.
As a lifelong resident of the South, I will make this generalization; methed up (Meth) rednecks are the most dangerous thing we have down here, and they are equal opportunity criminals. They are colorblind if you are in their way, different, have something they need or just plain pissed them off.
I like to ride bicycles and I can tell you that white, teenage, gangsta rap addicts are a pretty bad nuisance too. These guys will throw stuff at you, swerve at you and generally try to start fights with you over nothing. They are pretty easy to whip but they are crazy and will use weapons if they have them.
Black people don't lay awake at night trying to figure out ways to scare white folks.
Sure, I probably wouldn't take a stroll through through Magnolia project in New Orleans but I wouldn't take a stroll in Sarajevo or Algiers either.
Anyway, I'm not riding you but....please don't promote this stereotype.
It sounds like you have that old-timey, white folk, fear of black folk.
Bob, I live on the south side of Chicago and have expeirenced racisist comments and even violence against me simply for being white more times than I can count.
Also the places you speak of are sober places, and not places where people are drinking or doing things that may make them act differently than they normally would.
So my opinion comes from experience not ignorance.
If you need to feel first hand what I'm talking about then come out to the south side of Chicago and go walk around a neighborhood called englewood and see how well you fare.
soundwagon, I think the problem is you made a broad generalization about how welcoming an entire race of people are to another, based on your dealings with one neighborhood in Chicago......really?
this was my first roo, and yes it was extremely white there (i am hispanic), but i never felt out of place or uncomfortable...i found and hung out with people of all races, and everyone was geniunely nice...i shared corn with many folks and it was shared with me...the vibe was totally awesome, that i dont see how anyone could feel out of place there
I think it is more of a cultural issue than a skin color issue. There just aren't as many black hippies and rock and rollers. Jimi Hendrix definitely felt alienated from the scene during the 60s and was really uncomfortable with his disassociation from the predominant black culture. In a documentary, some of his old buds from Harlem said that one time while walking with him, he picked up a Black Panther paper just to impress them. And they never could understand his obsession with Bob Dylan.
Last Edit: Jul 9, 2008 19:39:20 GMT -5 by chad - Back to Top
Post by hibouxdufromage on Jul 11, 2008 14:31:13 GMT -5
The only black people that aren't welcome at Bonnaroo are black people who are also arse holios. White arse holios can fark awf too. Hispanic and Asian arse holios are alright though. They get a pass for never being properly acknowledged in ethnic discussions.
Post by billclinton on Jul 13, 2008 2:13:59 GMT -5
I haven't read the whole thread, so excuse me if this has already been said. But the black people with the bunk no no's were the shady looking type. I saw white guys walking around with the same shadyness to them. I also saw a black guy Saturday night that was pretty chilled out. Basically what I'm saying is what's more important than your skin color is how you present yourself and act.
Post by hibouxdufromage on Jul 13, 2008 3:30:54 GMT -5
Racism is gay. And by gay I don't mean homosexual gay, I mean retarded gay. And by retarded I don't mean someone who was born without normal physical and mental capacities, I mean someone who chooses to be really freaking stupid. I really like people who refrain from being dishonest or mean-spirited. Who's with me?
To be honest for a moment the people walking around selling bunk nono are quite disproportionately black; however, the negativity expressed towards them has everything to do with the fact that they are ripping people off and nothing to do with the fact that they are black.
In the two years I've attended I have heard a couple racial slurs thrown around, but every time I actually understood the context it was either some angry guy talking about said dealers or some idiot drunkenly joking around with his friends without realizing he's in a public place.
I've never actually witnessed any racism or overtly racist attitudes firsthand. Furthermore, the overwhelmingly vast majority of folks there are like the ones you've witnessed here. The people that would treat you differently based on race are in the margins, nothing to worry about.
I've been to Roo twice and I've never had a problem with anyone at Roo. This year the cops harassed me a bit after they caught the guys going in tents. But that was about it. I've always felt accepted a Roo.
The funny thing is...I've never really thought about if I would be accepted or not and it really didn't matter
This past summer, I had my first festival experience at Bonnaroo 2016. It was great, musically speaking, but from a social standpoint-- not so much. I'm a black 23 year old female and I have locks, so of course I'm used to the random stares in large groups of people who do not share the same ethnicity as mine, but the so called "Happy Roo" folks are not so welcoming. There's a vibrant culture at Bonnaroo: one in which people randomly give high fives exclaiming "Happy Roo!" with a huge smile on their faces. I came with a group of friends who are all white and there were many instances where my friends would all recieve the "Happy Roo!" greeting, but once people saw me in line--smile plastered on my face, they'd sneer and/or put their hand down and just walk away.
I felt like I had some sort of visible disease on my face... and the unwanted feeling just continued throughout the day as we'd go to other concerts and my friends would still recieve smiles and high fives, while I was left alone to just dance with my eyes closed. Eventually I just left my friends and went to a couple concerts by myself so the discomfort I felt wouldn't be transferred to my friends who seemed to be having the time of their lives. I know this is a southern festival, so there are all kinds of backwoods (i.e., ignorant/unexposed) people coming to have a good time just as I am. So I won't hold it against people, and I've decided not to take it personally, even though I felt like shit my first day at Roo.
All I can say is if you're black, the best times with Bonnaroo strangers are when you're watching a black person perform. When I saw J.Cole, The Internet, etc. EVERYONE was kind to me (holding conversation, asking if I could see behind them, etc). But when I went to see Grizzly and Lamb of God, those masses of disapproving looks and negative energies became more prevalent.
I guess the "Peace, Love & Good Vibes" motto isn't necessarily true for southern festival goers... Maybe one day we'll progress into acceptance and celebration.
This past summer, I had my first festival experience at Bonnaroo 2016. It was great, musically speaking, but from a social standpoint-- not so much. I'm a black 23 year old female and I have locks, so of course I'm used to the random stares in large groups of people who do not share the same ethnicity as mine, but the so called "Happy Roo" folks are not so welcoming. There's a vibrant culture at Bonnaroo: one in which people randomly give high fives exclaiming "Happy Roo!" with a huge smile on their faces. I came with a group of friends who are all white and there were many instances where my friends would all recieve the "Happy Roo!" greeting, but once people saw me in line--smile plastered on my face, they'd sneer and/or put their hand down and just walk away.
I felt like I had some sort of visible disease on my face... and the unwanted feeling just continued throughout the day as we'd go to other concerts and my friends would still recieve smiles and high fives, while I was left alone to just dance with my eyes closed. Eventually I just left my friends and went to a couple concerts by myself so the discomfort I felt wouldn't be transferred to my friends who seemed to be having the time of their lives. I know this is a southern festival, so there are all kinds of backwoods (i.e., ignorant/unexposed) people coming to have a good time just as I am. So I won't hold it against people, and I've decided not to take it personally, even though I felt like shit my first day at Roo.
All I can say is if you're black, the best times with Bonnaroo strangers are when you're watching a black person perform. When I saw J.Cole, The Internet, etc. EVERYONE was kind to me (holding conversation, asking if I could see behind them, etc). But when I went to see Grizzly and Lamb of God, those masses of disapproving looks and negative energies became more prevalent.
I guess the "Peace, Love & Good Vibes" motto isn't necessarily true for southern festival goers... Maybe one day we'll progress into acceptance and celebration.
Very sorry you experienced this. It's disgusting that in 2016 people are still not comfortable with the idea of diversity at festivals. I hope you didn't let this spoil your Bonnaroo as music festivals are my favorite escapes from the crap of real life. Unfortunately nothing I can say will change anything that happened to you but I hope you don't let people get to you.
This past summer, I had my first festival experience at Bonnaroo 2016. It was great, musically speaking, but from a social standpoint-- not so much. I'm a black 23 year old female and I have locks, so of course I'm used to the random stares in large groups of people who do not share the same ethnicity as mine, but the so called "Happy Roo" folks are not so welcoming. There's a vibrant culture at Bonnaroo: one in which people randomly give high fives exclaiming "Happy Roo!" with a huge smile on their faces. I came with a group of friends who are all white and there were many instances where my friends would all recieve the "Happy Roo!" greeting, but once people saw me in line--smile plastered on my face, they'd sneer and/or put their hand down and just walk away.
I felt like I had some sort of visible disease on my face... and the unwanted feeling just continued throughout the day as we'd go to other concerts and my friends would still recieve smiles and high fives, while I was left alone to just dance with my eyes closed. Eventually I just left my friends and went to a couple concerts by myself so the discomfort I felt wouldn't be transferred to my friends who seemed to be having the time of their lives. I know this is a southern festival, so there are all kinds of backwoods (i.e., ignorant/unexposed) people coming to have a good time just as I am. So I won't hold it against people, and I've decided not to take it personally, even though I felt like shit my first day at Roo.
All I can say is if you're black, the best times with Bonnaroo strangers are when you're watching a black person perform. When I saw J.Cole, The Internet, etc. EVERYONE was kind to me (holding conversation, asking if I could see behind them, etc). But when I went to see Grizzly and Lamb of God, those masses of disapproving looks and negative energies became more prevalent.
I guess the "Peace, Love & Good Vibes" motto isn't necessarily true for southern festival goers... Maybe one day we'll progress into acceptance and celebration.
I'm an 18 year old black male and have been going to Roo since I was 16 and I've been treated so well every year by everyone of every kind old and young. Every year it felt to me like everyone put race/sexual orientation/etc. aside and loved each other the same. I don't know if it's because I look younger or what but I was greeted with smiles and high fives everywhere and at every show on the farm even at the bluegrass superjam which is probably as "white" as it gets.
I'm sorry that happened Its really hard imagine that happening at Roo, but there is always someone somewhere who'll be happy to treat you as if you've been friends for years.
This past summer, I had my first festival experience at Bonnaroo 2016. It was great, musically speaking, but from a social standpoint-- not so much. I'm a black 23 year old female and I have locks, so of course I'm used to the random stares in large groups of people who do not share the same ethnicity as mine, but the so called "Happy Roo" folks are not so welcoming. There's a vibrant culture at Bonnaroo: one in which people randomly give high fives exclaiming "Happy Roo!" with a huge smile on their faces. I came with a group of friends who are all white and there were many instances where my friends would all recieve the "Happy Roo!" greeting, but once people saw me in line--smile plastered on my face, they'd sneer and/or put their hand down and just walk away.
I felt like I had some sort of visible disease on my face... and the unwanted feeling just continued throughout the day as we'd go to other concerts and my friends would still recieve smiles and high fives, while I was left alone to just dance with my eyes closed. Eventually I just left my friends and went to a couple concerts by myself so the discomfort I felt wouldn't be transferred to my friends who seemed to be having the time of their lives. I know this is a southern festival, so there are all kinds of backwoods (i.e., ignorant/unexposed) people coming to have a good time just as I am. So I won't hold it against people, and I've decided not to take it personally, even though I felt like shit my first day at Roo.
All I can say is if you're black, the best times with Bonnaroo strangers are when you're watching a black person perform. When I saw J.Cole, The Internet, etc. EVERYONE was kind to me (holding conversation, asking if I could see behind them, etc). But when I went to see Grizzly and Lamb of God, those masses of disapproving looks and negative energies became more prevalent.
I guess the "Peace, Love & Good Vibes" motto isn't necessarily true for southern festival goers... Maybe one day we'll progress into acceptance and celebration.
I'm so sorry you experienced this. I want to say that those people are definitely not representive of the majority, but very sadly, I don't know anymore if that is true......
We are all there for the same reasons, and I treat everyone the way I wanted to be treated. I would hope that everyone does that, but I know better
Post by pondo ROCKS on Aug 14, 2016 12:23:30 GMT -5
I have been PRIVILEGED to have met many different nationalities, races, and creeds at Bonnaroo. I truly am sorry that your experience was not as warm and friendly as it should have been. That is indeed a shame.
Providing an outlet and a voice for music lovers to unite under the common theme of music for all. Join The Pondo Army to show your allegiance to musical freedom! Fighting for no censorship of the arts & music education in schools, The Pondo Army will triumph! The Pondo Army Movement
Follow me on twitter@Pondoknowsbest
This past summer, I had my first festival experience at Bonnaroo 2016. It was great, musically speaking, but from a social standpoint-- not so much. I'm a black 23 year old female and I have locks, so of course I'm used to the random stares in large groups of people who do not share the same ethnicity as mine, but the so called "Happy Roo" folks are not so welcoming. There's a vibrant culture at Bonnaroo: one in which people randomly give high fives exclaiming "Happy Roo!" with a huge smile on their faces. I came with a group of friends who are all white and there were many instances where my friends would all recieve the "Happy Roo!" greeting, but once people saw me in line--smile plastered on my face, they'd sneer and/or put their hand down and just walk away.
I felt like I had some sort of visible disease on my face... and the unwanted feeling just continued throughout the day as we'd go to other concerts and my friends would still recieve smiles and high fives, while I was left alone to just dance with my eyes closed. Eventually I just left my friends and went to a couple concerts by myself so the discomfort I felt wouldn't be transferred to my friends who seemed to be having the time of their lives. I know this is a southern festival, so there are all kinds of backwoods (i.e., ignorant/unexposed) people coming to have a good time just as I am. So I won't hold it against people, and I've decided not to take it personally, even though I felt like shit my first day at Roo.
All I can say is if you're black, the best times with Bonnaroo strangers are when you're watching a black person perform. When I saw J.Cole, The Internet, etc. EVERYONE was kind to me (holding conversation, asking if I could see behind them, etc). But when I went to see Grizzly and Lamb of God, those masses of disapproving looks and negative energies became more prevalent.
I guess the "Peace, Love & Good Vibes" motto isn't necessarily true for southern festival goers... Maybe one day we'll progress into acceptance and celebration.
I hope you are able to come back to Bonnaroo... and when you do, you are welcome to come hang out at our tent or our camped out spot at a venue at any time! My crew is a hodgepodge of races, male/female, religious and non-religious, and gay/straight/bi. I hate to ever hear this has happened to anyone, anywhere. Diversity is a beautiful thing and I love nothing more than being surrounded by a diverse group of friends!
I just want to say that as a black man that has gone the past two years with a group made up of mostly black guys and gals(which is ironic as most of my friends are white), I've literally never had issues with people treating me different because of my race. It really surprises me to hear that this was an issue for somebody. Bonnaroo is literally fully of people that are almost too happy at times. Some of the kindness I've seen at Roo is out of this world. Hell, one of my buddies I've gone with in 2015 and 2016 is black and I feel like he is the damn spirit animal of Bonnaroo. The guys just runs around with out a shirt on dancing randomly in places. He gets more love than anybody I know when he's at Roo. He would live on the farm if he could. To the OP, come back next year and I promise it won't be an issue again.
I just want to say that as a black man that has gone the past two years with a group made up of mostly black guys and gals(which is ironic as most of my friends are white), I've literally never had issues with people treating me different because of my race. It really surprises me to hear that this was an issue for somebody. Bonnaroo is literally fully of people that are almost too happy at times. Some of the kindness I've seen at Roo is out of this world. Hell, one of my buddies I've gone with in 2015 and 2016 is black and I feel like he is the damn spirit animal of Bonnaroo. The guys just runs around with out a shirt on dancing randomly in places. He gets more love than anybody I know when he's at Roo. He would live on the farm if he could. To the OP, come back next year and I promise it won't be an issue again.
I just got your username holy shit.
Also, did we have a long winded political discussion at brunch this year?
I just want to say that as a black man that has gone the past two years with a group made up of mostly black guys and gals(which is ironic as most of my friends are white), I've literally never had issues with people treating me different because of my race. It really surprises me to hear that this was an issue for somebody. Bonnaroo is literally fully of people that are almost too happy at times. Some of the kindness I've seen at Roo is out of this world. Hell, one of my buddies I've gone with in 2015 and 2016 is black and I feel like he is the damn spirit animal of Bonnaroo. The guys just runs around with out a shirt on dancing randomly in places. He gets more love than anybody I know when he's at Roo. He would live on the farm if he could. To the OP, come back next year and I promise it won't be an issue again.
I just got your username holy shit.
Also, did we have a long winded political discussion at brunch this year?
;D
