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!!
Hi Folks, I'm new to this inforoo community and very excited about Bonnaroo 2006. I'm actually from Toronto, Canada and my boyfriend and I have yet to decide how we'll make the trek down to Tennessee (but we'll find a way). I'm an avid Radiohead fan (seen 'em 5 times) and of course the rest of the line up is amazing. I'm looking forward to the festival/camp out experience, but we're both feeling kinda wary about what it's gonna be like way down south. You see, we're both black and from what I can see from a lot of photos posted on the web and such, there doesn't seem to be much in the way of cultural diversity at Bonnaroo. I'm just wondering if this perception is accurate, and if you think it's something to be concerned about. thanks in advance, Stephbeee (from the great white north )
I really wouldn't worry about it. I've never heard of it being an issue and each year as the lineup becomes more diverse, so do the people that attend. I don't know if you have any other festival experience but if you don't I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how kind most people are at 'roo.
There is a bit of diversity at Roo.. of course the majority of the crowd is caucasion, but I also saw several asians, and a large group of what I assume was middle easterners playin frisbee in the lawn of the main stage. You should have no worries at all about attending bonnaroo. Diversity in music, diversity in people.. it's a beautiful thing.
Is the crowd at Bonnaroo racially diverse? No. Do I think you should be wary or concerned about it? No.
In terms of racial diversity, there's no question that there's not a lot of it within the crowd at Bonnaroo. The staff is racially diverse (and the surrounding area seems to be), but I woud say that 95%+ of the crowd is white. In other senses (diversity of class, dress, age and musical taste to name a few), I think the crowd is extremely diverse. On a whole, I always find the crowd to be amazingly friendly, well-intentioned and nice. There are exceptions of course, but compared to other large crowd situations I've been in the crowd is simply amazing.
I sure hope you wouldn't have any problems but obviously I couldn't guarantee that you wouldn't run in to some ignorant people. I can tell you that I wouldn't hesitate for a second to go with black friends, and that I would be less concerned about potential racism or other racial issues at Bonnaroo than I would be in a million other everday social situations.
Welcome to the boards and please don't miss the party in Tennessee!
This will be my first year at Bonnaroo, so I can't say how it is there, though I obviously wouldn't think there would be any problems given the nature of the festival. However, having been born and raised in Tennessee, I can tell you that the reputation for racism in the south is sometimes exaggerated, though it does exist (same thing goes for the south's reputation for being a bunch of dumb hicks - thanks, Hollywood!). You should have absolutely nothing to worry about. See you there!
Post by jimmyjamesx5 on Feb 16, 2006 19:05:30 GMT -5
Yeah i would just not stop at some hole in the wall bar either in Tenn. some people especially southerners in remote locations "don't take Kindly to stragners", that means even if your white but at the roo i wouldn't for see any problem like that just be careful on the way down as police and anybody else will be looking for people who make themselves out to be a target.
Post by ziggyandthemonkeys on Feb 17, 2006 3:04:50 GMT -5
I think traveling through the south an tenn. would be more of a potential problem than the people actually in bonnaroo. I dont think either would really be problem though, and definatly not enough to make someone not go.
stephbee, Glad your coming down all the way from Canadia!!! Nothing to worry about at the Fields of Bonnaroo, everyone is chill, and theres just a great vibe throught the weekend.
However, having been born and raised in Tennessee, I can tell you that the reputation for racism in the south is sometimes exaggerated, though it does exist (same thing goes for the south's reputation for being a bunch of dumb hicks - thanks, Hollywood!).
As for someone from Chicago I think I can speak from an outsiders view of the south. I have been to Tennesse many times and have had a different experience wherever I went. Nashville and the surrounding area seems to be much more tolertant than the "real" south. I would not advise ever going to a place like Gatlinburg. I spent a weekend in Gatlinburg a few years ago and they really dislike people from the north. They still have not gotten over the Civil War and they let you know every chance they get. I am white and they definately did not treat us like the other "white" people. As much as I love certain aspects of the south, like music and biscuits and gravy (ha) there is so much about it that makes me wanna puke. I doubt anything like that will happen but if it does it will probably be with a state trooper or something (joking, but maybe not) Bonnaroo should be a great experience for everyone though! You get uncomfortable though come party with us, we'll be the city slickers sleeping in the car!
I do have to agree with antny somewhat because being from Memphis, I do live in a city whose population is mostly African American. So maybe this makes me have a bit of a distorted perception of the race and the south (as opposed to other areas of the south with less diversity). When I visited Nashville, I was surprised at how few African Americans I came across there in comparison to my hometown (I definitely felt something "missing") So, it would appear that it depends on where you are going in the south. I know that places like Atlanta and New Orleans have a much more diverse population, and they are located in the south, too. But yes, east Tennessee is definitely much different than west Tennessee. Even still, I am 200% certain you won't have anything to worry about at Bonnaroo, and will even find the people more friendly and welcoming than most places throughout the country.
And I would also like to add that there are many tolerant and open minded southerners in contradiciton to what mass media would lead you to believe. The only shame is that the intolerant ones just happen to be the loudest and most visible in the mainstream. Moon ever been to Graceland? One of the greatest moments in my young life. I had an Elvis obsession when I was around 8-9 years old and my parents drove me to Graceland. It was great.
You've all been fantastic, thanks for all of the information. I'm sure that if everyone has attitudes akin to yours, that we'll have a great time! Now I just have to show this thread to my boyfriend--hopefully it will placate him (slightly)... Anyway see you all at Bonnaroo...We'll likely be the only black Canadians there, so look out for us!! Stephbeee
You know, antny, I have lived here my entire life and have never been to Graceland; it's one of those things you just take for granted. I did have a friend who worked there as a tour guide, where she got to meet LL Cool J and "Steve Urkel". LOL
By the way, stephbee, glad we could all help. See you at the roo-hoo!
Post by gogogajoob on Feb 20, 2006 20:20:26 GMT -5
i've come down from the GTA myself twice now and your biggest worry is really the HEAT...
my god, if you think toronto gets humid in the summer wait until you get to tennesse!!
That said, Bonnaroo is like a separate society unto itself and while there are a ton of white kids, don't worry they're the nice ones
Like did you go to sars-stock? I saw probably four reallly vicous fights in that crowd, people stamping over each other just for water, etc... none of that has ever happened around me at bonaroo, everyone there is just too cool and too stoned...
I would agree with the previous posts - Roo is definitely not diverse.... on the surface. I've found that there is tremendous diversity when it comes to age, socio-economic status, and geography. I would say that the festival is a pretty good representation of the jam community as a whole - you'll see full-time tour junkies, weekend warrior types with corporate expense accounts, used-to-be hippies, wanna-be hippies, frat boys, etc.
None of Membs descriptions of Bonnaroo goers sounds too apealing. Is it just me or would you hate to fall into any of these categories?...How about "human being"?
What I was trying to convey was that diversity is not necessarily skin-deep, and there are more important things to consider. I certainly agree with you, antnyd82.
Post by Lucid Interval on Mar 19, 2006 12:33:34 GMT -5
I dont think she was trying to categorize people, just trying to say that theres alot of different lifestyles represented. Its not really a bad thing to generalize when describing a group of people. In fact you kind of have to generalize to describe any group or lifestyle... Obviously we're all people but that doesnt mean that we're all living the same life...